celery bog

You won’t find celery at Celery Bog Nature Area, but you’re sure to find birds. Celery Bog, a 195 acre wetland habitat in West Lafayette, Indiana, has been recognized as one of the top five locations in the state to observe migratory and local birds. I was visiting my daughter (a Purdue student) and she wanted to introduce me to Ruby, "Queen of the Celery Bog."

Ruby is a red morph eastern screech-owl who has been residing and roosting in a tree hole at Celery Bog since at least 2021. She’s a celebrity to bird watchers and photographers and I was so excited to actually see her during this brief visit.

I’m so grateful that places like Celery Bog continue to be maintained and protected as a sanctuary for birds (over 150 bird species) and a plentitude of other fauna, flora, and funga. You can learn more about Celery Bog here. And see incredible photos of Ruby, by Dave Weigel, here.

We enjoyed the early spring trails and collected just under a pound of litter during our short stay.

Footnote: Why “celery”? In the late 1800’s, settlers in the area drained a large wetland to farm croplands and pastures. Celery was a common crop at the time. By the late 1960’s, these farms were abandoned and the Celery Bog Nature Area was later established to restore the land back to its native habitat. Today, the area is listed as a “significant ecological site” by the Indiana Natural Heritage Program.

Ruby, Queen of the Celery Bog.

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