​When I was a young lad I saw a photograph of a Bird's-foot Violet. Right then and there I vowed to photograph one someday. Over the years I have checked out many Violets but never was in the right place at the right time until last weekend. While looking for the Kirtland's Warbler near Grayling I noticed these small blue flowers along the trail. All of a sudden it dawned on me that I was looking at a flower that had eluded me for many years. Here are two photographs of Bird's-foot Violets. 

They are called Bird's-foot Violet because someone with a good imagination thought the leaves looked like a bird's foot.

Bird's-foot Violet

Bird's-foot Violet

There are still wildflowers to see in Legg Park. Here are a few from last weekend. Wild Iris (LP)

Goat's Beard (LP)

Wild Columbine (LP)

A friend and I drove to Grayling last Saturday to go on the Kirkland's Audubon tour which starts off at Hartwick Pines State Park. We were successful in finding seven Kirtland's Warblers, three seen and 4 others heard singing. On the way there we stopped at the Houghton Lake Nellsville Boardwalk and captured a Common Yellowthroat. After the tour we drove three miles and hiked around Wakeley Lake where I photographed this Black and White Warbler. It was a long but very relaxing day! All of my weekend pics can be seen here.

Kirtland's Warbler Kirtland's Warbler

Common Yellowthroat Black and White Warbler

I don't think very many people realize that Michigan has a native tree with such a beautiful bloom. This is the Tulip Tree, Liriodendron tulipifera,  also known as Whitewood, Fiddle-tree and White Poplar. Not only does it have a beautiful flower but I believe it is one of our most majestic Hardwoods. It can grow to heights of more than 165 ft which explains why many of use have never seen it's wonderful blooms. Click here to see all of the facts on Wikipedia.

Tulip Tree Blossom

You know it's Spring when the May Apple is in bloom. Every year I try to get an awesome photo of one and every year I am not quite satisfied. Here is my best attempt for this year. The photo was taken in Legg Park.

May Apple (LP)

I was walking the trails at Maple River and almost stepped on this "Under Cover" Snapping Turtle. The scowl on it's face suggests that it was not too happy to be discovered.

Snaping Turtle (MR)

Last week I was up north in Presque Isle County. I went there to rest, relax and enjoy the spring bird migration. The woods were alive with warblers, flycatchers, vireos and many other birds. Their joyful songs could be heard nonstop. There was one bird in particular that made it's presence known with a beautiful and vibrant staccato song, the Ovenbird. They must have been very happy to be back home! I saw 105 species of birds for the week. I was very happy to be up north!

Ovenbird

When I was up north last week a storm blew through and these Peeps showed up on the beach. I usually see Spotted Sandpipers every year at this beach but this is the first time I have seen Semipalmated Sandpipers, Semipalmated Plovers and Dunlins mixed in with the Spotted Sandpipers. It is so much fun to watch them scurry about in the sand and waves searching for food. 

Semipalmated Sandpiper Spotted Sandpiper

Dunlin Semipalmated Plover

When I first saw this little one in the distance I thought it was a Golden Eagle! But alas it is a baby Bald Eagle. It sat in this dead tree for almost 30 minutes ignoring all the pointing fingers and the curios people in cars that stopped to get a look. What a thrill to get so close to such a magnificent bird. This photo was taken last week in Turner Park, Cheboygan Michigan.

Immature Bald Eagle (1st year)

It's hard to sneak up on a Barred Owl.

Barred Owl  

I'm up north for the memorial day week enjoying spring migration for the second time this year. So far it is looking pretty good with lots of Warblers and even some shore birds which is unusual for this area. Here is a pic of one of my Favorite warblers, a Blackburnian Warbler. More pics can be seen by clicking here.

Blackburnian Warbler

I took the day off to drive down to Hillsdale County to go birding with my sister and a good friend. I enjoy going back to my roots and spending time on the old childhood walking trails. Here are two of the birds we saw today. What a great day!

Louisiana Waterthrush

Canada Warbler (Female)

This week I spent a few hours at Legg Park photographing some wild flowers. I like the way these turned out.

Wild Geranium

Wild Geranium