A Visit to Raptor Inc.

I've always wanted to drive out to Milford, Ohio to visit Raptor Inc during one of their Open Houses.  It has never worked out that Herb was off work in order for us to attend.  As it turned out, this particular Sunday was our family reunion picnic that we have been attending for well over 60 years.  However, at the last minute we found out it had to be cancelled because no one reserved a shelter at the park!  We were all really disappointed, but then I remembered the Open House at Raptor Inc!!!

We only saw about 15 birds who are permanent residents due to circumstances that would not allow them to return to the wild..  However, they have many others that are being rehabilitated and were kept away from the public so they could heal and remain in a peaceful environment.

Here are a few pictures of wings and a pretty example of an owl.

Herb took a lot of pictures with a camera, I only took a few with my phone thinking the camera would get better pictures.   I was wrong...wish I had taken more pictures with the phone.


A beautiful peregrine falcon.

A sweet little barn owl.  Barn owls are my favorite!  I can't remember if he was missing a wing or just had major issues with it.

A turkey vulture.  A face only a mother could love!  I believe this "pretty" lady became too attached to someone who tried to keep her as a pet.  So much so that she couldn't be returned to the wild.

Some awesome looking owls!  Magnificent creatures!

A leucistic hawk who obviously would not fare well in the wild.  Pretty bird though.

What a cutie...screech owl.

My new Raptor Inc. t shirt.  Love the design!

A Conglomeration of Hikes

I haven't posted to my blog lately because I've been both busy and lazy.  I guess I've picked up too many activities I enjoy doing, but don't have enough time to devote to them.  Then there are days I just feel like a slug! Haha!

Today's post will be a conglomeration of different pictures from recent hikes I've done over the last couple of weeks.

These pictures are from Blue Jacket Trail at Shawnee Lookout Park.  One of my favorite parks but I have to have plenty of time because it's not real close to home.  I just love this little pass through on the trail.

I had forgotten how many sets of steep stairs there are on Blue Jacket Trail.

Oh goodie! Look!  Another long set of stairs.  I would much rather just climb a hill than to climb steps.  Steps are uneven, slanted, sometimes slippery and throws off my pace.  And the hand rails have splinters!

Pretty flowers marking the trails entrance to the parking lot.  The parking lot is quite small...holds about 12 cars and was packed that day.  When it's full, it's hard to park and maneuver around the large SUVs and trucks of today.  My car is the pretty reddish brown car.

These next set of pictures are from the Miami Fort Trail at Shawnee Lookout. This is a shot from the overlook on the trail.

A close up of the same view.

A boulder that is along the trail honoring Daniel Carter Beard founder of the Boy Scouts of America.

Finally, a picture of the Parcours Trail at Winton Woods.  A nice quiet trail to hike when you're not being over run by a cross country high school team like I was today.  Haha! This picture was taken 2 days ago when the trail was quiet.