High Winds Make Big Waves on Lake Erie

There was a high wind warning with gale force winds on Saturday after a large cold front (with lots of nasty storms) moved through the area on Friday night. Of course, when I hear “high wind warning” it’s time to head to Mentor Headlands Beach in order to watch the big waves on Lake Erie. This time, though, as my husband and I drove up to the east parking lot, we noticed a dusty cloud over the area which my husband recognized as a mini-sandstorm. After getting out of the car, we were pelleted with grains of sand that really stung. We weren’t even near the beach yet. As we walked up to the stand of trees before we arrived on the beach, the wind was even stronger. Upon walking on to the beach area, no longer getting some wind protection from the trees, my husband commented, “I think we made a mistake.” It was funny but not funny at the same time, as the wind almost knocked us over, and not only were we being hit with grains of sand, but it felt like there were small pebbles being thrown around as well. But after a momentary pause, we figured we were there, we might as well try to get close to the beach and try to catch a photo of the waves against the lighthouse at the eastern end. We had to walk sideways to protect our faces from being sandblasted, and it was nearly impossible to walk. We estimated the sustained winds to be about 55-60 mph. There was one lone gull that seemed to be having a good time flying into the wind, though. While my husband helped me to stay standing, I took a few photos. It really was very beautiful despite the wind and I’m glad we didn’t get blown away. (click on any image for a larger view)










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Pink and White Dogwoods Bloom

The pink and white dogwoods flowered when we had a warm spell a few weeks ago. The cool weather than moved in afterwards seemed to keep their flowers in a holding pattern. Here are a few photos.







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Blue Baron Rhododendron in Bloom

A few years ago we planted a Blue Baron rhododendron to add to our color collection of rhododendron and azalea that are around the house and yard. We had every other color so the bluish color was a nice addition. The plant is still very small after a few years – I’m not sure if it likes where we planted it. This year it was full of blooms that look very blue but the camera sees them with a more purple cast.




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Kwanzan Cherry Blossoms

Last year we had a Kwanzan Cherry tree planted (in place of the old pine that we had removed) and with the unseasonably warm temperatures we’ve had of late, the blossoms are beginning to pop open. I can’t wait until the tree is in full bloom. Here are pictures of some of the blossoms so you can share in the beauty!







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Friendly Mallards, Up Close and Personal!

The 2 mallard ducks that hang out at the neighbor’s pond like to take a daily walk around my back yard. Sometimes they pick up the seed that has fallen from our bird feeder. But today, while I was outside, they seemed unusually friendly, following me as I walked around the yard and walking right up to me when I stopped. I suspect they were looking for a handout. They allowed me to photograph them up close, and here they are!




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Feisty Mallards, Canada Geese At Veterans Park

The weather is still nice and unseasonably warm here today, so I decided to take a stroll in Veterans Park (Mentor, OH) to see what the birds were up to. The big pond is still covered with quite a bit of ice, and all that seemed to be out (besides a few people walking their dogs) were bunches of testy Canada Geese and Mallards hanging out in the few small areas of open water. Here are a few photos.









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An Icy Lake Erie & An Eagle’s Nest In Mentor Ohio

All photos © chrisazimmer, chriszimmer.blogspot.com

It seems like forever since we had a full day of clear skies and sunshine here. The winter months usually bring long, endless streaks of skies that are battleship gray in color, thanks to Lake Erie. With the sky a brilliant blue today, and lots of snow still on the ground, it was a good day for a visit to nearby Mentor Headlands Beach to see a frozen Lake Erie.

A special bonus along the way was seeing an eagle’s nest in the Mentor Marsh, less than a mile from the entrance to Mentor Headlands State Park. The nest is very visible from Route 44, and while this time of year the traffic is very light there, it is still not a good place to stop and bird watch. I was lucky to spot the nest on the way to the beach, so I was able to find the spot easily on the way out of Headlands. There was no traffic at all, so I stopped and took two quick photos of the nest, but no eagles were in sight. (It has been confirmed that they are indeed nesting there.)

Here are some photos of a very frozen Lake Erie and a very cold-looking beach, along with the eagle’s nest. I am so thankful to have such wonderful sights just a few miles from home.

(Click on any photo for a larger view.)

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