Posted in Northeastern Ohio, Park review

Shreve Lake Wildlife Area

Last fall, we stopped briefly at the Shreve Lake Wildlife Area on our way to Killbuck Marsh. The wildlife area is a 228 acre site in Wayne County that's named after its 63 acre lake. The wildlife area features a parking area at the lake with a fishing pier and boat launch area (boats with electric motors only). A latrine is available in warm weather. The lake is popular with fishermen and features largemouth bass, bluegills, and crappies. The lake is also a stopover point Read more ➜
Posted in Birds, Northeastern Ohio, Park review

Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area

Killbuck Marsh is a 5,761-acre wildlife area in Wayne and Holmes counties located near the town of Wooster. It is the largest marsh outside of the northern Lake Erie region; over half its acreage is wetland. The Wildlife Area A section of the wildlife area is designated as a wildlife refuge and is off-limits to visitors. The remainder is available for hunters (during hunting season) and fishermen. There are a couple of short trails and numerous scattered parking areas and pull-offs Read more ➜
Posted in Hiking, Northeastern Ohio, Park review

Johnson Woods State Nature Preserve

Most of Ohio was deforested for agricultural purposes during the 18th and 19th centuries. However there are a handful of virgin forests that were left alone, and one of these is found within the confines of Johnson Woods State Nature Preserve (previously known as Graber Woods). Although I usually don't get off the freeway when I'm traveling between central and northeast Ohio, I decided it was worth making a side trip to see this primeval forest. There are trees in Johnson Woods that are over 400 Read more ➜
Posted in Animals

Ninja Squirrel at Johnson Woods

The squirrels that I see in our yard and in municipal parks are so accustomed to people that they don't pay us much mind. But when we venture into more remote settings, squirrels soon remind us that we are big, scary creatures.  While my daughter and I were exploring Johnson Woods State Nature Preserve, we caught the attention of the squirrel below. When he had first noticed us, he tried scurrying up the trunk and clinging to the tree. However after holding that position briefly he apparently Read more ➜