Author Archives: Kim Smith

Here There Be Dragons!

Posted on June 7, 2017

It’s that time again–it’s early summer and the odonata are plentiful and active. You may have noticed that I’ve been dabbling in dragonflies for several years, and have written about them a few times: Thrashers, Dashers, and Mayflies (July 2016) … Continue reading →

Posted in Insects, Ohio, Wildlife | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Wildflower Wanderings

Posted on May 29, 2017

This spring I’ve spent more time than ever before searching for wildflowers around northwest Ohio. I’m a novice at identifying them, but I’m having a blast and am learning new things every day. One rainy day in April I took … Continue reading →

Posted in Ohio, Walking in the Woods, wildflowers | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Ohio Has the Blues

Posted on May 22, 2017

The region of northwest Ohio where I live is called the Oak Openings. It’s one of the world’s rarest habitats, a band of sandy soil about five miles wide and 80 miles long, stretching across Ohio and southeastern Michigan.  When … Continue reading →

Posted in Flowers and Gardening, Ohio, wildflowers | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

No Words, Just Birds (#3)

Posted on May 9, 2017

Note: The winds have remained mostly northerly, but some new birds did manage to get here last night.  We’re still waiting (a bit impatiently) for the big wave of warblers to arrive.

Posted in Birds, Migration, Ohio, Photography | 4 Comments

No Words, Just Birds (#2)

Posted on May 4, 2017

All photos in this post were taken at Oak Openings Preserve, one of the fine Toledo Metroparks.

Posted in Birds, Migration, Ohio, Photography, Toledo | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

No Words, Just Birds

Posted on May 2, 2017

(Well, maybe a few words…. For the next month or so, I’ll be too busy birding and editing photos to write much, so I’ll just post a selection of pictures a couple times a week to show you what I’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Migration, Ohio, Photography | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Armchair Birding

Posted on April 29, 2017

Lately there have been quite a few slow birding days around here. Spring migration is happening, but the birds are still just trickling through in dribs and drabs rather than pouring in. But what is pouring, today at least, is … Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Books, Ohio, Toledo | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Here They Come…

Posted on April 16, 2017

April and May are so exciting here in Ohio! Every walk brings the possibility of finding new flowers and trees blooming, and new birds arriving.  And now that I have so many new places to explore after my move, it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Happiness and Gratitude, Migration, Ohio, Toledo | 3 Comments

The Power of One Little Flower

Posted on March 23, 2017

Well, I did it! I’ve been in my new house for 9 days now. I’m still trying to find places for some of my stuff in this smaller space, but overall the place feels like home now. I’ve got my … Continue reading →

Posted in Happiness and Gratitude | Tagged , , , , , , | 16 Comments

This Moment is My Life

Posted on March 13, 2017

Today I’m in my new home, two days before my move-in day, waiting for various installers and service people to show up. In the quiet times between appointments, I sit in a lawn chair in my empty kitchen, working my … Continue reading →

Posted in Happiness and Gratitude | 12 Comments