It was nice to finally get a look at the Merlin that has been hanging around the Potter Park Zoo parking lot. This is a beautiful Raptor that I don't get a chance to see very often. Go here to see more pics, including the Merlin being harassed by 4 Crows.

Merlin @ Potter Park

Robins seem to be showing up everywhere lately. Here is one that is drying off after taking a cold bath.

American Robin

Sometimes it's nice to see a common bird up close. This male Mallard Duck seemed to be enjoying the sunshine and water even though the wind chill was in the teens.

Mallard Duck

Today I found a Winter Wren in Legg Park. It is rare for this time of year in Ingham County even though it has Winter in its name. This tiny wren is just a little over 3 inches long, hyper active and very shy. I consider myself very lucky to get a couple of good pics. See some more Winter Wren pics here.

Winter Wren  

I was hiding under a big Oak tree along the Red Cedar River trying to get a better look at some ducks when they all scattered and this Red-tailed Hawk came in low above the river and landed in a tree about 40 ft away. When I pointed the lens at him this is what I saw through the viewfinder. Pretty intense stare, I'm glad that I'm too big for him to carry away. It could be that he was looking at my little friend Dexter and wondering if he would make a good snack. ;) More pics from yesterday here.

Red-tailed Hawk  

Sunday afternoon I drove up to Saginaw County to the area where I saw my First Of Year Snowy Owl for last year (2014). I couldn't believe it when I found this one sitting atop the same electric pole. This is # nine for me this season.

Snowy Owl

On cold windy days or slushy sloppy days I enjoy driving over to Harris Nature Center and watching all the different birds come to the feeders. Someday I hope to see a Common Redpoll, a Red-breasted Nuthatch or an Evening Grosbeak! Here is one of my favorite feeder birds, a male Red-bellied Woodpecker. The rest of the pictures that I took on Sunday afternoon an be seen here.

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Northern Harriers (4), Rough-legged Hawks (20) and Red-tailed Hawks (5) were very abundant at Maple River SGA on Saturday. We also saw 41 Pheasants and 57 Turkeys. I have never seen that many Pheasants in one place before. Here is a close up of a Rough-legged Hawk. The rest of the pics can be seen here. 

Rough-legged Hawk

Last Sunday my friend and I took a drive up to Maple River SGA and I saw my first Snow Buntings of the the new year. There were over 100 birds in this flock. In my opinion this is one of our most beautiful winter visitors.

Snow Buntings

Snow Buntings

Fenner Arboretum had a couple of late season visitors on New Years Day. A Chipping Sparrow and a Clay-colored Sparrow were hanging out together in the Prairie Grassland area. I also took pics of a Cardinal and a Red-tailed Hawk.

Chipping Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

Clay-colored Sparrow

Clay-colored Sparrow

I went on a long hike in Meridian Townships Legg Park yesterday. I saw a lot of birds feeding along the trails.  It was especially nice to see five Bluebirds feeding on some wild grapes. See all of the pics here.

Bluebird

On Saturday I decided to take another trip to Shiawassee NWR and see what I could see. Lucky for me the Long-eared Owls were still roosting in their usual spot. I was able to find 7 of them. Others there said that they counted 10. As the moon was rising in the east (Canada Geese below the moon)  the Short-eared Owls (5 of them) decided to come out and put on an aerial show. It was spectacular! I think that I may have found a new favorite bird. All of the pics can be seen here.

Moon & Canada Geese

Short-eared Owls

Yesterday I went on an afternoon safari with my friend to the Shiawassee NWR to look for owls. We were not disappointed. These owls were all within a quarter mile of each other.

Long-eared Owl

Long-eared Owl (There were 10 of them!)

Short -eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Snowy Owl

Snowy Owl