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
If you enjoy this blog then visit "like" Cerulean Sky Photography on Facebook.
Dwarf Lake Iris
I visited Thompson"s Harbor State Park today and was surprised to see Dwarf Lake Iris in the hundreds. I did not know that it was the Michigan State wildflower. "The Dwarf Lake Iris only grows in the Great Lakes area and most of the world's population of this Iris is found within the borders of Michigan". This is certainly one of the most unique and beautiful spring wildflowers.
Ovenbird
I'm up North in Presque Isle Co for the weekend. Usually the Warblers are here by the hundreds this time of year but I am finding them few and far between. It must be the late Spring. But the Ovenbirds are everywhere. It is hard to miss their vivacious song.
Tennessee Warbler
The parking area at Unit A in the Maple River SGA was very active early Sunday morning. There were so many Warblers that I am sure I missed some. Here is a Tennessee Warbler that was a first of the year for me . See more weekend pics here.
Chimney Swift
This bird is commonly referred to as a cigar with wings. I am including a couple more pics of birds in flight (BIF).
Chimney Swift
Tree Swallow
Common Night Hawk
WOW
A friend and I went birding at Sleepy Hollow State Park this morning. I knew that we had seen a Blue-winged Warbler, but it wasn't until I got home and started going through the photographs that I realized we had seen a hybrid Blue-winged/Golden-winged Warbler or what they used to call a Brewster's Warbler. Wow, what a beautiful bird.
Over the Canopy
I was walking under the Maples on the Ferguson Bayou Trail when a Sandhill Crane flew overhead. Here is the photo that I ended up capturing despite all of the leaves and branches. All of last weekends birds can be seen here.
Looking Glass
Last Sunday morning I kayaked on the Looking Glass River. For some reason this river is always good for reflections...
If you listen closely you can hear a Prothonotary Warbler singing and Sora Rails calling in the background.
Blue Angel
This Great Blue Heron was putting on an air show over Legg Park, silent and beautiful.
More Gems
This morning a friend and I went to Legg Park to see how many species of birds we could see in one day. We ended up with 62. Some of the birds that I saw but did not get pictures of were Cape May and Bay-breasted Warblers. We saw a total of 15 Warblers. I think it was a very good day for Legg Park!
Baltimore Oriole
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
# 150
This is number one hundred fifty for 2014. I was hoping that it would be a good one and my wish came true. This is a Dunlin, the photo was taken from my kayak (have I ever mentioned that I like kayaking?). This was on my first trip to the Shiawasee National Wildlife Refuge. I can see myself making many more trips back here! More Dunlin pics can be seen here along with a few other shore birds.
Everything's Rosie
I took the afternoon off for some relaxation. Here is what I saw along the Lansing River Trail, and more.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Welcome Home
If you have followed me for long then you know that by far my favorite bird is the Prothonotary Warbler. I took the kayak out today to see if I could find my first one of the year. Not only did I find one but I found a pair that were working on their nesting site. Now I will be able to follow them as they raise their young. Welcome home Mr. and Mrs. Prothonotary! More pics here.
Warbler Invasion
Finally the warbler migration has begun. Without a doubt, this is my favorite time of the year.
Pine Warbler (Fenner)
Palm Warbler (Fenner)
Black-throated Green Warbler (Legg Park)
Nashville Warbler (Legg Park)
Caspian Ghost
The bright overcast sky made this shot of a Caspian Tern a challenge. It was just plain luck, and a little bit of foresight, that got this exposure pretty much spot on. This was taken today at Maple River SGA. More weekend Pics here.
