Nature

Mill Race Park in Columbus Indiana

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Mill Race Park is situated where the Flat Rock and the Driftwood rivers join together on the west side of Columbus. The 35 acre park is an extremely popular place to walk, picnic, attend concerts, climb the tall observation tower or just simply enjoy a bit of Nature.

The bottom of the bridge is in the background

Duck enjoying the reflecting pond

 

 

 

 

 

Among the attractions at the park are a large reflecting pond ringed by sidewalks and benches. One side of the pond features the historic covered bridge. Columbus is known for its public art displays, and several are located in the park. One recent addition to the park landscape is a set of tall, wooden poles topped with bat nesting boxes. The poles are set in rock cairns for shelter of amphibians and reptiles.

Each provides shelter for bats, birds, amphibians and reptiles

The lovely pond, suitable for leisurely walks or resting

The brick “monument” with bronze info plaque (yes, that’s us)

The brick “monument” complete with an arch and flanked by a bronze information plaque is a highly visible structure. The plaque describes the mill race that ran through acreage. It also listed the many industries along the old mill race, including mills and brickyards. The Mill Race Park in Columbus is a delightful place. It is worth your visit.

 

A visit from a Turkey Vulture

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Our eagle eyed son shouted “Dad, come here, there’s a big bird on the top of the pole!” He was so right. A Turkey Vulture had in fact landed on the very tall utility pole in the yard next door.

That is a six foot wingspan! This big bird only weighs 3-4 pounds.

The Turkey Vulture eats carrion and plays a large role in cleaning up the ecosystem. It can soar for hours, riding the thermals in the sky. (Here is a video link of ours with soaring vultures) It was raining today, and this vulture was spreading his wings to dry and shaking off moisture as well. Vultures also spread their wings first thing in the mornings to warm up and energize for the day. We seem to have a wonderful perch, and this is the first time we have seen a vulture land here.

Gonna have some “maters” in a bit

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We have Red Beefeater and Big Boy tomato plants this year

Red Beefeater

Big Boy

Big Boy twins

Just in the past couple of days our tomato plants have really started putting on fruit. I guess that patience has paid off. It looks like we might have a good crop this season after all, as we had good plant growth but no tomatoes to speak of.  Now if those rascally squirrels will only behave…

 

The Canada goose is common but stately

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They hold their head high, walk slowly, and you can see them just about everywhere. These large birds flock in very high numbers, and are known to make large poopy messes on the paved areas they walk across.

Next to the drainage pond near a large grocery store

He spotted me!

This goose and his buddies were lounging next to the pond. When he got up and walked away he turned, stretched his neck and gave me the stink eye for bothering their rest. Glad he didn’t rush me! They can be mean…

 

Another fledgling robin

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Mom with a morsel for junior

Close up of the youngster

The Free Dictionary lists the first definition of fledgling as “A young bird that has left the nest and has usually acquired flight feathers, but is often not yet able to fly.” That’s a pretty accurate description of this young robin. It would run across the yard, chirping all the way with a feeble attempt to flap its wings. Hopefully this little one will survive until it can fly. This fledgling may be the same robin from this post.

 

Blue Jay enjoying a suet cake

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Blue jays love suet, and they like suet feeders set on a tree trunk allowing them to solidly perch, as opposed to hanging feeders that sway. This jay was really enjoying the suet cage we set against one of our backyard trees. Blue jays are very intelligent, and some believe that they are capable of remembering individual human faces.