Welcome to My Michigan (The Mitten)
I took a fifteen year break from photography to spend as much time as possible with my family. Now that the kids are out of school and I find myself with more free time I have decided to join the digital age and pick up where I left off.
For me photography is a labor of love. It helps me see everything in a new light and a new way. Everyday events become forever memories. Insects, flowers, animals and birds become magical and mystical. My eyes see a whole new world around me, sometimes alien but always beautiful. This is what I love to do, winter, spring, summer and fall, immersed in the great out of doors with a camera in my hand.
Come and join me on my expeditions. And just maybe, like many others, you will come away "Smitten by the Mitten".
Thank you for stopping by.
Jim
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Sunset in the Forest
I was finishing up my walk the other night as the sun was setting...
Forest Sunset (Legg Park)
Spring Beauties
The Puritan Spring Beauties stood freshly clad for church:
A Thrush, white-breasted, o're them sat singing on his perch.
'Happy be! for fair are ye!' the gentle singer told them ... Helen Gray Cone
Spring Beauty
Photo taken at Harris Nature Center.
The Man In The Moon Stayed Up Too Late.
...With a ping and a pong the fiddle strings broke!
the cow jumped over the Moon,
And the little dog laughed to see such fun,
And the Saturday dish went off at a run
With the Sunday silver spoon ... Bilbo Baggins
Evening Moon
Woodland Trail
When I get on a trail like this I just can't stop because I always want to see what is around the next bend. Kind of like "the bear went over the mountain to see what he could see"....
Photo taken at Legg Park.
Woodland Trail
On Track
Last night I was returning from my evening walk when I noticed the sun was breaking through the clouds and starting to paint the sky with wonderful yellows and reds. As I crossed the RR tracks the suns reflection off the rails caught my eye so I took a couple of pics and this is what I ended up with, Spring is on track.
On Track Sunset
Spring Flowers
Finally, spring flowers are starting to bloom! Photos were taken at Harris Nature Center.
Click here for some more weekend pics.
Dutchman's Breeches
Spring Beauty
Trilium
Ring-necked Pheasant
I have seen more Ring-necked Pheasants this year than I have seen in the past 5 years total. When I was young growing up in Hillsdale Co. seems like I saw one almost every day. Maybe they are making a come back. There isn't anything much prettier than this.
Ring-necked Pheasant
Sunset Owl
Owls are one of my favorites and there is just something special about Barred Owls. Maybe it's the dark eyes? The Barred Owl goes by many other names, Eight Hooter, Rain Owl, Wood Owl and Striped Owl. This one spends a lot of time in our neighborhood. We have seen it off and on for the past several years and have enjoyed watching it raise its young. I was very lucky tonight to catch it "hidden" in a pine tree with the setting sun warming it up. Who-who-who-who, who cooks for you?
Barred Owl
Another Winter Wren
Today I saw four Winter Wrens, three at Fenner Nature Center and this one at Harris Nature Center. I do believe that spring migration is finally here!
Winter Wren
Country Road
I guess my feet know where they want me to go ... walkin down a country road - James Taylor
Country Road IRInfrared photograph.
Hills and Dales
Wednesday I spent the day birding and kayaking with my sister in Hillsdale and Branch Counties (kayaking in Ohio at Lake La Su An). I grew up in Hillsdale County and going back to visit is always just like going home. I started birding there when I was around 10 years old, and feel like I lived half of my childhood on the "back forty" or outdoors in "Lost Nations" SGA ... lots of very good memories and dozens of really good birds. Someday I should get out my old checklist to see just how many birds I have seen there. Enough digressing, here are a couple of the birds that we saw on Wednesday.
Osprey
Bonapart's Gull
BIF - Birds In Flight
I love how a photograph can stop the motion of a birds wings so you can see just how beautiful the gift of flight is.
Canada Goose
Sandhill Crane
Tundra Swans
Immature Bald Eagles
Frozen in Time
February was brutal with temperatures in the teens during the day and negative numbers at night. Michigan lived up to it's name of Winter Wonderland as the rivers and lakes froze solid and the snow piled up in the snow belts. Here is a photo of Tahquamenon Falls nearly frozen solid... awesome sight!
Tahquamenon Falls
Giant Icicle
Close up of icicle on left side of top photo to show how large it is.
Winter Highway
On the way back from Sault Ste. Marie we stopped by St. Ignace to see the "Ice bridge" to Mackinac Island. It was a bustle of activity as snowmobiles pulling sleds were constantly coming and going. Christmas trees mark the shoulder of the highway.
Ice bridge to Mackinac Island
Blowing snow obscures the Island 3 miles away.
Ice bridge to Mackinac Island
Three snowmobilers start their journey across the "Ice Bridge"
Say ya to da UP, eh?
This was my first winter birding adventure in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. My wife, sister and brother-in-law went along to keep me company. We had a great time traveling around the countryside and saw many birds that I would not have seen this year had I stayed at home. The highlight would have to be the many Snowy Owls that we saw in the Pickford area, the awesome meals and the great company. Other highlights would be the Common and Hoary Redpolls, Pine and Evening Grosbeaks, Red Crossbill and a trip to the almost totally frozen solid Tahquamenon Falls. Oh, and I almost forgot, the "lifer" dances that my sister kept doing! I am thinking that this will become a yearly adventure. Here is a pic of one on the Snowy Owls that we saw. More photos will be added here when I have a chance to go through them. (Next year I would like to spend a week or two in the area).
Snowy Owl
Common Redpoll
Pine Grosbeak
Ruffed Grouse