This Red-tailed Hawk is kiting (hovering) trying to get a better look at something, most likely a small rodent, that caught its eye. American Kestrels are most notorious for kiting, hovering in one place for several seconds before pouncing on their prey. But the big guys do it too, only they might not appear to be quite as graceful at it. This photo was taken at Hartrick Park in Okemos.

Red-tailed Hawk

I found this Great Blue Heron hiding along Sycamore Creek in Scott Woods. I'm pretty sure he thought he was invisible.

Great Blue Heron

I'm glad I decided to take a walk in Scott Woods Park the other morning. I have always wanted a photo like this.

Forest Sun Beams

The trees are slow to change this year but some of the ivy and vines are well on their way to brightening up our Fall landscape.

Fall Vines 1
Fall Vines 2

The fog was pretty thick so I leaned up against a tree and waited for something to get close enough for a photo. I didn't have to wait long before this female Wood Duck flew in and perched low in a dead tree. I love their white "spectacles.

Female Wood Duck

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Walk and wait, walk some more, enjoy the colors and sounds, mist and sun, fall is here. And with it comes the birds that are flying south to escape the frigid northern winter. If you are out and about long enough and patient an unusual bird may come your way to brighten the day. Just like this Lincoln's Sparrow brightened my day today. It is the first time I have seen one in Ingham County. This photo was taken at Williamstown Township Community Park.

Lincoln's Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow

Two weeks ago a birder found a Glossy Ibis at Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge. I procrastinated driving up to look for it because either the weather was bad or no one had reported seeing it the day before. So today was the last day that the wildlife drive was open and my last chance to see this bird. The weather could not have been much worse. It rained for the entire drive to the refuge and continued to rain on and off while I was there. But I was lucky and the Ibis was still hanging around in the same general area where it had been found two weeks ago. If you have never been to the wildlife drive tour at Shiawassee I highly recommend a trip there when it opens next year.

Glossy Ibis  

​I was eating lunch on Tuesday watching the squirrels under the bird feeders when a fox dashed out of the woods and grabbed one, walked back to the edge of the woods and began its own lunch break. I have never been this close to a fox before.

Red Fox Red Fox
Red Fox
 

On Tuesday I was at Williamston Township Community Park watching for migrating hawks to fly overhead. I didn't have much luck with hawks but did notice a Bluejay continuously flying from one side of the park to the other. I decided to try for a photo and discovered that it was hoarding acorns for the winter. All about birds has this to say, "Their fondness of acorns is credited with helping spread oak trees after the last glacial period". You can read more about the Bluejays love of acorns by clicking on this link. 

Busy Bluejay

This young Red-tailed Hawk was in Legg Park patiently waiting for some chipmunks to wander out into the open.

Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk  

I took this photo last week at Fenner Nature Center. 

Fenner Reflection

I found this dewy spider web at Fenner last week. It sure is amazing how precisely they spin their webs.

Spider Dew

This little Corgi hangs out with me on my travels around town.  What a good dog!

Dexter