Early Spring at Ouabache State Park

The last couple of weeks have provided so many interesting sights at Ouabache State Park that I couldn't resist sharing them here.

On March 5, about five o'clock in the evening, a pod of about 16 American White Pelicans floated majestically over our heads and settled on the park's Kunkel Lake. We had never seen pelicans in northeast Indiana, although I understand they do make appearances in the area during their spring migration. They stayed clustered together as a tight group, and the Canada geese that consider the lake their own didn't seem to know what to make of this invasion. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera; and my cell phone wasn't up to the low-light challenge and the zoom required for decent pictures of the pelicans. But I'll post two pictures here anyway. If you can't see the birds clearly...well, use your imagination.

During today's visit to the park, a Pileated Woodpecker stayed in one place long enough to provide a rare opportunity to get some photos and even a video.

When we reached our usual parking spot by the lake, we were astounded by a deafening chorus of frogs croaking. At first, we thought it must be tree frogs making all the noise; but, in the end, we discovered that the entire chorus was originating from an area where recent rains had left puddles of water. Following is a still photo of one frog and a video of the "chorus."

We have also been seeing some Ring-necked Ducks on the lake this spring. Here are a couple of images as well as a video. The video includes a small skirmish between two of the male ducks.

And, lastly, Indiana's state bird, the Northern Cardinal, male and female.

Autumn at Ouabache State Park

Just a few images from November 2, 2021, at Ouabache State Park, near Bluffton, Indiana, to remember the now-faded fall colors. 

Eastern Bluebird

Ouabache State Park is home to a fair number of Eastern Bluebirds; but, even though we go there frequently, it's rare for us to see one of these birds that is willing to pose for photographs. We were blessed last Thursday, when this little guy perched in one spot for several minutes.

I'm so glad I had my camera close at hand.

More Dragonflies and a Kingfisher

Another visit to Ouabache State Park provided a few more dragonfly photos and a couple of shots of a belted kingfisher. Enjoy.

Widow Skimmer

Eastern Pondhawk

Twelve Spotted Skimmer

Twelve Spotted Skimmer

Belted Kingfisher

Belted Kingfisher In Flight

The Dragonflies Are Back!

The small lake at Ouabache State Park had been drained all summer last year as work was underway to build a swimming beach. That reduced the number of dragonflies for me to photograph to...well...zero. And that resulted in a dearth of dragonfly photos on the blog last year.

Ah, but the beach is finished now; the lake is full; and the dragonflies are back! 

Kunkel Lake, Ouabache State Park

Red Saddlebags Dragonfly

Calico Penant Dragonfly

Common Whitetail Dragonfly

Twelve-Spotted Skimmer Dragonfly

Blue Dasher Dragonfly

Widow Skimmer Dragonfly

A Few Spring Photos

Spring, when it came, was short lived. Still, it didn't fail to bring its beauty.

On April 30, we spent a few hours at Ouabache State Park. The trees hadn't leafed out yet, but that made it easier to spot and photograph these little yellow birds.

Duck in Flight

Sycamore Tree

Purple Violets

We loved the red of these buds against the blue sky.

Ten days later, our crabapple tree was in full bloom. Several days after that, our azalea bush was putting on a show for us. The following collage provides a look at spring at our home.

October Beauty

The photos today were all taken October 21, the first four at Ouabache State Park and the last two on our way home that evening.

Common Buckeye Butterfly

I've admired other bloggers' photos of the Common Buckeye many times but had never seen one myself until this day. It made my day.

The photo above may look familiar. It's the same path pictured in my last post but taken 11 days later and showing a bit more fall color.

The picture above shows a little fall color across the "lake." The lake has begun to fill again, but slowly. Still, the Canada geese seem encouraged.

A Closer Look at Some Autumn Leaves

The photo above shows the sunset as we started home that night. The one below shows the same sunset in its dying glory.

An Early Fall Assortment

These photos are all from early October, as the fall colors were just beginning to show themselves.

Part of a Trail at Ouabache State Park

A Busy Bee 

Mushrooms

Early Fall Color

Luke Bryan Farm Tour - New Haven, Indiana - 2017

We took a different route home from the park that night, driving down some back country roads; and our route took us by a farm where Luke Bryan was performing a concert. Judging from the amount of traffic on those back roads, the concert must have been well attended...but many were arriving late due to the traffic jams.

Maples United Methodist Church

Not far from the location of the Luke Bryan concert was Maples United Methodist Church. The image of the church was a drive-by shot. It looked so pretty in the late-afternoon sun, with the ripened soybean field in the foreground, that I just had to try for a photo.

Wings on Purple

While stalking butterflies at Ouabache State Park on October 5, I found a single plant of purple blossoms that were loaded with winged things feasting on the nectar.

Bees

Painted Lady and Silver Spotted Skipper

Clouded Sulphur Butterfly

Silver Spotted Skipper

Painted Lady Butterfly and a Bee

We returned to the park five days later, and this plant was completely withered. I realized how blessed I was to have seen it, and the winged things it was nourishing, the previous week.