I witnessed and experienced two Mute Swan attacks today while out enjoying the lakes here in Commerce and Milford, Michigan.
This is a slideshow I put together of a Canadian Goose melee being brought to a screeching halt by a territorial male Mute Swan who didn't like the fight that was going on in his part of Wildwing Lake at Kensington Metropark, in Milford, Michigan.
The other swan attack was when I was taking my 6 month old Labrador Retriever puppy for a swim / walk in Long Lake near my home in Commerce Twp. I had to pull the puppy out of the water as another swan flew from across the lake and came within 30 yard of us in an aggressive posture. It is mating time in Michigan of the Mute Swan.
http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/slideshow.php?id=64010
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Saying So Long to Winter
After enduring this unusually cold and snowy winter season, I am ready to say hello to spring. During the last few weeks, I noticed the birds have started to ramp up their voices and join the spring chorus that precludes the mating season. The sun's rays are brighter and the days are getting longer. It is time to rejoice the changing of the season. Brighter and warmer days are ahead and the time of spring renewal is just a few weeks away.
Here in the recession plagued State of Michigan, we need a feeling of optimism to keep our spirits buoyed during such difficult economic times. We must stay positive and be confident and have faith we will rebound for better days are ahead. Getting outdoors and breathing the fresh air and feeling the sun on your face cures the winter blues.
On a recent adventure to Robert H. Long Park in Commerce Twp., MI, I had the pleasure of photographing several Hooded Mergansers stopping by on their way to their summer breeding grounds. Also, flushed from the cattails, was the first Red Wing Blackbird of the season. The robins were singing in the distant tree and the geese are setting up territories on the lake. I saw my first flying insects of the season today. The arrival of the Redwing Blackbird is my barometer of when the spring season is ready to emerge.
The calendar says we are still in winter, but my heart is saying spring is here. The temperatures were in the high forties with late day sunshine. I know we are not finished with snow on the ground, but the signs are around that winter is giving way to the spring season. Like this recession that doesn't seem to end, this winter has been prolonged and very brutal to our psyche. There are signs of nature's renewal, take a moment to stop and listen for it will surely brighten your mood and get you heading in the path of optimism.
Happy Spring,
Janet
Here in the recession plagued State of Michigan, we need a feeling of optimism to keep our spirits buoyed during such difficult economic times. We must stay positive and be confident and have faith we will rebound for better days are ahead. Getting outdoors and breathing the fresh air and feeling the sun on your face cures the winter blues.
On a recent adventure to Robert H. Long Park in Commerce Twp., MI, I had the pleasure of photographing several Hooded Mergansers stopping by on their way to their summer breeding grounds. Also, flushed from the cattails, was the first Red Wing Blackbird of the season. The robins were singing in the distant tree and the geese are setting up territories on the lake. I saw my first flying insects of the season today. The arrival of the Redwing Blackbird is my barometer of when the spring season is ready to emerge.
The calendar says we are still in winter, but my heart is saying spring is here. The temperatures were in the high forties with late day sunshine. I know we are not finished with snow on the ground, but the signs are around that winter is giving way to the spring season. Like this recession that doesn't seem to end, this winter has been prolonged and very brutal to our psyche. There are signs of nature's renewal, take a moment to stop and listen for it will surely brighten your mood and get you heading in the path of optimism.
Happy Spring,
Janet
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Ruby Throated Hummingbirds Have Arrived In My Backyard
After much anticipation, the first sighting of a ruby throated hummingbird occurred today. In the first week of May, I put out a hummingbird feeder in the hopes to attract ruby throated hummingbirds and Baltimore Orioles. This year, the Baltimore Orioles arrived on May 4th, and the first sighting of hummingbird of the season was at my feeder today - May 17, 2008.
Here are a few photos and a movie to mark the occasion.
What a wonderful sight to start the day.
Here are a few photos and a movie to mark the occasion.
What a wonderful sight to start the day.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Monday, March 3, 2008
Balmy Breezes and Swaying Palm Trees At Harbortown
We began our southern vacation today with lunch at Harbortown in the Sea Pines Plantation, Hilton Head Island, SC. We met with our friend Danny, and his lovely girlfriend Sarah. Our destination was the Crazy Crab at Harbortown, for an afternoon lunch of seafood and pleasant conversation. A cold seafood salad was the perfect choice on a sunny breezy day at the harbor. Delicious food, cheerful conversation and a relaxing atmosphere was the perfect antidote to the winter blues still embracing our thoughts.
Danny showed us the two yachts that he works on as a tour guide. A great job for a college intern with free sailing, and an idyllic atmosphere. Danny works on a racing yacht, that was once in the America's Cup race, and is now serving as a tourist sailing vessel.
We enjoyed a lazy walk on the boardwalk, watched a parasailor lifting in the breezes out in the ocean, the sounds of flags flapping in the breeze and dozens of Brown Pelicans sunning themselves on the docks. With temps in the 70s, and light breezes it made for a perfect day admiring the yachts moored in the harbor. A few minutes with the sand in our toes at the beach brought smiles to our faces.
My daughter Sarah and I popped into beach shops for the required tourist souvenirs. My husband spent his time sunning on the beach, enjoying the breezes and forgetting about the office for a while. He deserves this vacation and much, much more, from the stress he endures for our creaure comforts.
With it getting late in the day, we stopped for a quick refreshment under the spanish moss draped live oak trees and carefree swaying palm trees.
We are planning a dolphin cruise on Wednesday, with a tour of local islands and low country. Thursday is set aside for a day in Charleston, SC. A city rich with history, lovely architecture and picturesque scenery.
With rain and severe thunderstorms in store for tomorrow, maybe we will grab a movie or just kick back with a juicy beach novel to lollygag the day away.
Enjoying the island life of palm trees and ocean breezes,
Janet
Danny showed us the two yachts that he works on as a tour guide. A great job for a college intern with free sailing, and an idyllic atmosphere. Danny works on a racing yacht, that was once in the America's Cup race, and is now serving as a tourist sailing vessel.
We enjoyed a lazy walk on the boardwalk, watched a parasailor lifting in the breezes out in the ocean, the sounds of flags flapping in the breeze and dozens of Brown Pelicans sunning themselves on the docks. With temps in the 70s, and light breezes it made for a perfect day admiring the yachts moored in the harbor. A few minutes with the sand in our toes at the beach brought smiles to our faces.
My daughter Sarah and I popped into beach shops for the required tourist souvenirs. My husband spent his time sunning on the beach, enjoying the breezes and forgetting about the office for a while. He deserves this vacation and much, much more, from the stress he endures for our creaure comforts.
With it getting late in the day, we stopped for a quick refreshment under the spanish moss draped live oak trees and carefree swaying palm trees.
We are planning a dolphin cruise on Wednesday, with a tour of local islands and low country. Thursday is set aside for a day in Charleston, SC. A city rich with history, lovely architecture and picturesque scenery.
With rain and severe thunderstorms in store for tomorrow, maybe we will grab a movie or just kick back with a juicy beach novel to lollygag the day away.
Enjoying the island life of palm trees and ocean breezes,
Janet
Friday, January 4, 2008
2008, The Year of the Common Redpoll
The new year is starting off with loads of backyard activity. Heavy snowfall, aerial hunting by a Red Tail Hawk and the appearance of a rather uncommon visitor - the Common Redpoll.
On New Year's Day, a winter storm enveloped the Detroit area with 9-12 inches of wet snow. The house windows had to be scraped (that is a first) because of the blowing wet snow, the winds caused deep drifts in the backyard, and the pine trees hung low with the heavy snow deposits. A pristine beautiful winterscape.
New Year's Day brought an array of usual birds and 13 fox squirrels to the backyard looking for food in the deep snow. Being the good birder that I am, I shoveled the area underneath the feeders so the birds and squirrels could find food. The birdfeeders had to be cleaned off so the birds could access them, and new seed refilled.
Today, also brought the appearance of the Common Redpoll to the backyard feeders. There have been numerous reports of these northern visitors to the greater Detroit area, however, I have not been able to see them in my backyard, up until today. This is a new life list bird for me. I am so thrilled to see these rare birds for the first time in my life.
That's what is happening today in the backyard, hopefully, photos of the redpoll will follow.
On New Year's Day, a winter storm enveloped the Detroit area with 9-12 inches of wet snow. The house windows had to be scraped (that is a first) because of the blowing wet snow, the winds caused deep drifts in the backyard, and the pine trees hung low with the heavy snow deposits. A pristine beautiful winterscape.
New Year's Day brought an array of usual birds and 13 fox squirrels to the backyard looking for food in the deep snow. Being the good birder that I am, I shoveled the area underneath the feeders so the birds and squirrels could find food. The birdfeeders had to be cleaned off so the birds could access them, and new seed refilled.
Today, also brought the appearance of the Common Redpoll to the backyard feeders. There have been numerous reports of these northern visitors to the greater Detroit area, however, I have not been able to see them in my backyard, up until today. This is a new life list bird for me. I am so thrilled to see these rare birds for the first time in my life.
That's what is happening today in the backyard, hopefully, photos of the redpoll will follow.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Gary and Kathleen at Bryce Canyon
Kathleen sent me a few pics of their venture into the Bryce Canyon. The trek to the bottom of the canyon is one mile. The terrain is very steep, icy and they fell a few times, but they are OK. The weather was cold in the 30s, but a beautiful descent and climb of the canyon. I hear the beer is pretty lousy, 3.2.
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