Wings On The Wind

As a birder, butterfly and dragonfly photographer, choosing to go out on a windy day brings all sorts of challenges. The first being, birds are hunkering down with the change in the weather, even if it is for a change to fair skies and warmer temps. That was the kind of day I ventured out to visit my local Huron / Clinton Metropark, Indian Springs in White Lake Twp., Michigan. A fifteen minute drive from my home.

My first stop was to the Nature Center where I can usually find something to observe. Funny how the cool things hang out near the Nature Center. I stopped by the pond and found a very healthy looking Green Frog enjoying the duckweed in its environment. A few feet away, a meadow of wildflowers and milkweed attracted a Monarch Butterfly. I took a quick photo of the frog and then off to watch the Monarch. Given the windy conditions, I was surprised to see the Monarch handling the wind as well as it did. A very cooperative Monarch posed momentarily on the milkwood and I was able to get nice images with the wind whipping in my face.

The day was hospitable for the Turkey Vulture soaring in the warm winds, the Great Egret was buffeted in flight by the strong westerlies and the Cedar Waxwing was unphased as it clung to its perch on a young tamarack tree. The barn swallows and tree swallows were a delight as they seemed to enjoy the extra lift under their graceful wings.

After a trip to the pond, and was returning an unneeded tripod to my car, I happened to run into some friends who are fellow members of the West Oakland Camera Club. They were there to watch the Cedar Waxwings at the marsh lake a short distance from the Nature Center. I joined them for the short hike and conversation about the Cedar Waxwings and how they enjoyed their antics and the seemingly friendly nature of the birds. We were strategizing on how to get close to them for easier viewing. We walked closer, and the birds didn't mind, so there are more opportunities for close up photography. We concluded our visit and they were on their way. I stayed on to watch for more butterflies, but only the Monarch would make an appearance on such a windy day.

My next trip was to the Environmental Discovery Center to look for dragonflies. The center has a central pond surrounded by marsh, cattails, meadows and Massasauga rattlesnake habitat. You have you watch your step when venturing near the pond edges. The snake is shy, but is present and visitors are instructed by signage to stay on the designated pathway. The snake doesn't like the gravel paths or stoney surfaces, so one must be very observant if wandering off into the grassy areas surrounding the pond. I wasn't dressed in high boots, just my Keens, so I kept to the designated path for the most part. It wasn't very long before I found a male Widow Skimmer and a male Eastern Pondhawk perching on the grasses. The frogs were watching my every move as they lay in the shallows under the protection of the cattails surrounding the stone steps leading to the pond edge. The Eastern Pondhawk dragonfly kept returning to the same step beneath my feet as I enjoyed the scenery at the pond.

My trip lasted a few hours and satisfied my need to be in nature for the day, I returned home, but not without another life time observation, a coyote ran safely in front of my car as I drove the road that runs between Indian Springs Metropark and the Pontiac Lake State Recreation area. That was a first for me, a coyote out in the woods close to suburbia. Even the coyote was enjoying its day out in the northern woods of suburban Detroit, Michigan.

It was a beautiful day and won't think twice about heading out on such a windy and challenging photography day.

Get out and enjoy the day!

Janet

Sandhill Cranes - Now and Then

This spring and summer, I have had the great fortune to watch and observe a breeding pair of Sandhill Cranes as they raise their young at Kensington Metropark in Milford, Michigan. The Sandhill Cranes call the park their home and several breeding pairs inhabit the park. This particular pair of cranes happen to be very tolerant of human beings. They watch us with caution and do not flee or act aggressively toward park visitors who happen to pass them by while out on the trails or on the park lawn.

Last May 15, 2009, a friend and I were out birding for spring migrants, when this family of Sandhill Cranes approached us while on the Aspen Trail. They had with them their new brood of two crane fledglings. We watched with amazement at these magnificent birds with tiny fledglings scurrying about at their feet. They fed quietly and strolled along without much notice to the human beings who were captivated by their appearance on the trail. The parents would make a low trill sound to alert the babies to stay with the parents and off they went into the deep cover of the marshland. Before we knew it, they were deep into the reeds and all we could see were the parents heads poking up every now and again with a morsel of food for their babies.

We are used to very skittish birds and to have these large birds walk by within a few feet was simply a breathtaking moment. I was so captivated by their grace and beauty I vowed to look for them throughout the season and watch their growth.

The first photo is from July 17, 2009, and the second photo is from May 15, 2009.

Territorial Battles of Springtime

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

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

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.

Birds, Squirrels and Gardens

Birds, Squirrels and Gardens

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