Every photographer has that place that speaks to them, where light, wildlife, and landscapes converge in unexpected harmony. My hometown -Lima, OH offers a special favorite, the Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District. I’ve spent countless mornings wandering the trails at places like Lauer Historical Farm, Ottawa Metro Park, and Lippincott Bird Sanctuary, hoping for that perfect moment to unfold.
One early misty morning, a blue heron stood motionless along the shores in Ottawa Metro Park, mountain-like silhouettes of trees in the background. That moment became “Blue Heron Reflection” — a quiet testament to stillness and patience.
View “Blue Heron Reflection”
On another crisp autumn day, I spotted a deer standing amid golden leaves and soft light — its gaze gentle but alert. That became “Forest Deer.”
View “Forest Deer”
Winter offered a completely different palette: stark branches and snow crunching under my boots, and a lone deer with frosty breath appearing through the silent woods in Teddy Bear Park. That became “Winter Deer.”
View “Winter Deer”
Back in autumn, I captured the graceful silhouette of a deer resting softly near crimson leaves — “Autumn Deer in Ohio.”
View “Autumn Deer in Ohio”
Lauer Historical Farm always pulls me back — not just for its peaceful architecture, but for the interplay of rusted metal and historic textures bathed in late-afternoon light. I processed one of those images into “Lauer Historical Farm — Ohio Textured.”
View “Lauer Historical Farm — Ohio Textured”
One memorable summer morning, I paused to watch a wood thrush perched on a slender branch, its song echoing through the trees in Kendrick Woods. A fleeting, intimate scene I titled “Single Wood Thrush.”
View “Single Wood Thrush”
Sometimes, I just chase the fog — like the day I arrived at a countryside overlook as dawn broke through low mist, revealing layer upon layer of trees and fields shrouded in ethereal stillness. That became “Foggy Country Scene — Lima, Ohio.”
View “Foggy Country Scene — Lima Ohio”
Why These Parks Matter
The Johnny Appleseed Park District nurtures a mosaic of wildlife habitats and historical landscapes across Lima and beyond — places like Lauer Historical Farm, Lippincott Bird Sanctuary, and the expansive Ottawa Metro Park. These parks are not just settings; they are living galleries where seasons paint and wildlife performs.
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From wooded hills and wetlands to historical barns and open meadows, the parks offer an incredible variety of subjects within a few minutes of home — each location sharing a different story, texture, or color palette.
Photography Tips Inspired by These Parks
Tip
What to Try Go early Most of my memorable shots — like the heron, deer, or fog scenes — were captured in quiet, pre-dawn light.
Look for texture + light At Lauer Farm, late afternoon shadows and weathered wood deserve as much attention as the subject itself.
Notice seasonal changes Wildlife and mood shift dramatically — winter scenes feel still and crisp, while autumn scenes glow with warmth and movement.
Be patient & quiet The magic moments (like the wood thrush or deer) often appear when you slow down and observe.
Explore different parks From wetlands at Lippincott to river views at Ottawa, each area offers fresh subjects and lighting dynamics.
Lima’s local parks are more than spaces — they’re chapters in a visual story I’m honored to tell. Whether it’s a misty field, a wild creature at rest, or a historic structure glowing in sunset, these images are my personal love letter to the landscapes that inspire me.
If you’d like to explore prints, inquire on my work, or join photography walks in Lima together, I’d love to connect!
— Dan Sproul
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