Colorful Clouds At Sunset

Colorful Clouds At Sunset, a photo by JKissnHug on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
We had a deluge of rain today which brought this muted colorful sunset over Cooley Lake in Commerce Twp., Michigan.

Around 8 p.m., last evening, I was busy cleaning out a storm drain in a lower level walkout that was clogged with pine needles and debris. The water was rising in that below grade cement walkout area. I had a brief window of opportunity between rain deluges, to get that cleared or possibly get a flood over the doorwall.

I finished just in time to watch the sky changing from a dull gray to a diffused golden and then purplish pink color. I was soaking wet, however, I grabbed my camera and went to the front yard on the lake and grabbed a few photos before nature's show was over for the night. While it wasn't your classic sunset shot with the orb in view, the swirling clouds and colors cast an interesting hue of color over the lake surface.

Birding The Magee Marsh Boardwalk with Kenn Kaufman & Dawn Fine

Birding The Magee Marsh Boardwalk with Kenn Kaufman & Dawn Fine, a photo by JKissnHug on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Having the time of my life with Dawn Fine and Kenn Kaufman, walking and birding the Magee Marsh Boardwalk. Many thanks to my friend Spring Noel for taking this photo.

You can find Dawn and her fabulous blog on Twitter as @DawnFine. Kenn Kaufman is the author of Kaufman Field Guides. www.kaufmanfieldguides.com/KennKaufman.htm dawnandjeffsblog.blogspot.com/

Bald Eagle - Heading To The Perch

Bald Eagle - Heading To The Perch, a photo by JKissnHug on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Taken a few miles inland just east of Magee Marsh on Lemon Road.

After spotting this eagle flying low over a farmer's pond, I had only a few seconds to put my car in park and grab my camera. I managed a few shots of the majestic Bald Eagle flying to it's perch. This was taken during a frigid and wind driven rain. I only took a few shots and quickly dried off my camera and returned to my car. We watched for another 10-15 minutes hoping he/she would return for another pass over the water, but the bird remained perched on the large tree branch. This is how we concluded our second day of visiting Magee Marsh in Oak Harbor, Ohio.

Bald Eagle Flying Over A Pond

Bald Eagle Flying Over A Pond, a photo by JKissnHug on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
After spotting this eagle flying low over a farmer's pond, I had only a few seconds to put my car in park and grab my camera. I managed a few shots of the majestic Bald Eagle flying to it's perch. This was taken during a frigid and wind driven rain. I only took a few shots and quickly dried off my camera and returned to my car. We watched for another 10-15 minutes hoping he/she would return for another pass over the water, but the bird remained perched on the large tree branch. This is how we concluded our second day of visiting Magee Marsh in Oak Harbor, Ohio.

Prothonotary Warbler - Tree Dancer

Prothonotary Warbler - Tree Dancer, a photo by JKissnHug on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
This Prothonotary Warbler captured my heart with a precious glimpse into it's spectacular beauty and ability of living life on the wing or dancing in the trees.

From the boardwalk at Magee Marsh in Oak Harbor, Ohio, during the Biggest Week in American Birding.

The Magnificent Magnolia Warbler

The Magnificent Magnolia Warbler, a photo by JKissnHug on Flickr.

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One of my favorite warblers, the Magnolia Warbler is all decked out in his vibrant breeding plumage for the big show at Magee Marsh along Lake Erie in Oak Harbor, Ohio.

I was delighted beyond words to find this striking warbler within a few minutes of stepping onto the boardwalk at Magee Marsh. This started my day out with a big bang and put a permanent smile on my face for the rest of the day.

Evening Hunt

Evening Hunt, a photo by JKissnHug on Flickr.

An Eastern Phoebe perches and surveys the the pond for winged insects. Taken at Indian Springs Metropark in White Lake Twp., Michigan.

In The Catbird Seat

In The Catbird Seat, a photo by JKissnHug on Flickr.

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The very first bird I saw as I entered the West Bloomfield Woods Nature Preserve was a handsome Gray Catbird perched atop this Smooth Sumac tree. I heard the meowing call which is characteristic of this bird and it instantly drew me to it's location. A very advantageous perch for this Catbird to watch over things, as it ate and sang the afternoon away.

Scarlet Tanager of Orchard Lake Nature Sanctuary

Scarlet Tanager of Orchard Lake Nature Sanctuary, a photo by JKissnHug on Flickr.

Pileated Woodpecker - Female

Pileated Woodpecker - Female, a photo by JKissnHug on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
I am so excited! I finally got my Pileated Woodpecker photo at the Orchard Lake Nature Sanctuary. I was out in the woods looking for warblers and kept hearing a very loud woodpecker, that sounded slightly different than a Northern Flicker. I thought, this looks like good habitat for a Pileated, when I saw it fly through the treetops. I waited and listened, and it landed in the tree above my head, giving me a few moments to try and get a photo for the record books. Although, this female is high in the trees, I am just as pleased to get a precious photo of this spectacular woodpecker.

I have been in pursuit of a photo for a couple of years, now. I have not had the opportunity to have one perch close enough for a photo. It was a fantastic day in the woods for me!