Nimisila Reservoir in winter appeals to me as much as seeing it in summer. There’s something magical about escaping our habit to hibernate in Northeast Ohio when there’s a hint of early spring in the air. I can go back through several years of photographs in the winter and always find some at a lake on a day when the temperatures were being less than winter-like. I’m starting to think it’s becoming a tradition of escapism for us.
Apparently we’re not the only Ohioans who do crazy things in the middle of winter. When we stopped to check out a view of the lake, there were a few staunch fisherman braving the wind and trying to catch some fish. I kept thinking they were going to catch themselves with the way that wind was whipping everything around. Casting had to be interesting to say the least.
A little less normal was a guy with a guitar singing away while someone else was shooting a video of him with their phone. I couldn’t hear him above the howl of the wind so I’m still wondering how that turned out.
On our way to check out the primitive camping we had to stop to photograph this gorgeous stand of pines. Meanwhile a family of four came whizzing by on their bicycles and photobombed our view. Hmmm. Bicycles in February in Ohio? I can’t remember it ever being warm enough to even consider that in many years.
If you enjoy fishing, Nimisila has several places to fish from shore. Boats are allowed with electric motors. If you’re into primitive camping, the campgrounds have been taken over by Summit County Metroparks starting in 2016 and you will need a special use permit. Summit Metroparks has a new 25 year agreement with the state to manage Nimisila, so I’m hoping for some exciting new programs.
Birding in Nimisila is a popular pastime, especially the migration and habitat for Purple Martins. Looks like August will be a great month to return for Purple Martin photos.
Usually we’re praying for warm weather or the money to travel south in February or March. I can actually say I thoroughly enjoyed Ohio winter this year, even the few piles of snow because they were so few and far between the hibernation escapee days.
Happy Hibernation Escapee Days wherever you may live!
