Miller Park Sightings April 13, 2021
by Dave Woehr
It was a beautiful Spring day in Miller Park, sixty degrees and sunny. It was a toss-up as to which was the prettier: the carpet of dandelions on the green lawn or the Wild Plum blossoms. The plum blossoms emitted a sweet scent that should get the attention of any early-arriving hummingbirds in the area. The Red-shouldered Hawk circled overhead and called loudly. The Birch tree at the first trail split was abloom with beautiful catkins. I found a piece of dead wood on the ground with Mica Cap mushrooms growing on it. A young mother walked the park trails carrying an infant.
I saw both Bullfrogs and Green Frogs along the edges of streams and puddles in the park. Several gray squirrels hung out in the scrub growth along Will’s Run. The Killdeer is still incubating four eggs in her nest. They are due to hatch any day now. I’ve been keeping an eye on them for several weeks. I do not approach the nest when other people are nearby. I don’t want anyone to know it is there. It is so well camouflaged that it could easily be stepped on and destroyed. Once the babies hatch they will be safe because they can run like a deer for safety.
Miller Park is beautiful any time of the year, but it would be hard to beat the way it looked under the blue sky and sun today.
For more photos, click here
Discover the Benefits of a Labyrinth: by Peggy Logue
There is a Labyrinth along the walking path at Miller Ecological Park. Getting into nature by biking, walking, and playing is so important for mental and physical health, But a Labyrinth encourages a whole new spiritual dimension.
The labyrinth as a powerful spiritual tool guides us on a path to healing, deeper self-knowledge, creativity and transformation. It is an ancient pattern re-emerging in our contemporary culture helping us as we seek sacred moments and reconnection with the Divine.
Suggestions on walking the labyrinth:
Before you walk the path, stand at the entrance and think about the gifts you have been given. Think how awesome life is.
In a spirit of gratitude, begin to walk the labyrinth. Think of letting go of ALL that troubles you. Shed ALL that holds you back.
As you reach the center, be open and empty for new awareness, new awakenings, and new beginnings to emerge.
As you walk out from the center, in a gentile spirit of gratitude, KNOW that you are engaged in transformation.
Suggested reading: Walking a Sacred Path by Lauren Artress
Wildflowers of Miller Ecological Park
Last year Bob Henn wrote a book entitled, Wildflowers of Miller Ecological Park. The publication includes photos, dates and locations of the flower in MEP, Latin name, and a great index. It will be available for purchase this spring. Bob Henn has been actively involved with Miller Ecological Park since 2012. A biologist, naturalist, teacher and lifelong resident of Ohio, he is the author of Wildflowers of Ohio. At MEP, he has taken a special interest in the Girl Scout Butterfly Garden in Miller Park and tends it lovingly. He has spearheaded the efforts for Miller Ecological Park to receive designations as a Monarch Waystation and recently as a Certified Wildlife Habitat Site by the National Wildlife Federation. He scheduled the Ohio Department of Transportation to come out to the park and do an official elevation measurement of "Miller Mountain" aka the sledding hill. A marker was placed to record the measurement: 883 feet!
From "Wildflower of Miller Ecological Park" Some wildflowers you may see right now at MEP: Dandelion, Slender Speedwell, Purple Dead-nettle, Whitlow Grass, Hairy Bittercress, Daffodil, Ground Ivy, Pennsylvania Bittercress, Flowering Cherry, Hairy Rock Cress, Henbit, White Dead-Nettle, Winter Cress, Spring Beauty, Round-leaved Ragwort, Common Chickweed, Blue Violet, and more!! (Bob's book will give you ideas of where to look in the parks and dates)
