Nature Photos and Oak Openings Preserve - Photography by Deb Swingholm 2007

*"I go to Nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in tune once more"* ~ John Burroughs, American Naturalist

*When I visit my family on Ohio, much of my time is spent in nature...* Many of my photographs are scenes from Oak Openings Preserve, a wildlife sanctuary in Northwest Ohio. It is home to many rare species and a variety of distinct environmental zones, including one of the few remaining Oak Savannas in the world. Hiking here is one of the things I most love to do. Over time, I have discovered the meadows where the deer graze in the morning, the spots where the woodpeckers nest and the trees where young Cooper's hawks like to perch.

















		Wild Blue Lupine has been abundant on the savanna in recent summers. I just love the rich palette of purples and blues, and the rhythmic patterns of these rare native flowers (now if I could just see a Karner Blue butterfly sitting on one of these!)















I adore woodpeckers. And, seeing this Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in his favorite feeding tree was a treat.



Black Swamp Raptor Rehab in Ohio cares for many injured birds of prey. This Barn Owl and American Kestrel are both non-releasable..






		Photos copyright Deb Swingholm 2006-2010 All rights reserved Visit other pages in Deb's Photo Gallery and visit the Flowering Moon website