I never realized that a Golden-crowned Kinglet had this many rubies in its' crown. This photo was taken at Central Park.

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Happy Valentines Day!

Rose with a heart 1

I'm trying hard to find some beauty in this brown winter. This is the reflection of a tree in the muddy trail at Lake Lansing Park North.

Beauty in Mud

I just love the way this tiny Winter Wren was standing on its front porch surveying his riverfront property and singing to the world.

"When the sun came shining, and I was strolling,
And the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling,
As the fog was lifting and a voice was chanting:
This land was made for you and me."
Woody Guthrie
Winter Wren

Beautiful Swan
Warmed by sun's rays
Dreaming of summer
And warmer days.
Trumpeter Swan 1b .
This Trumpeter Swan photo was taken at Bird Lake in Hillsdale County.

This Saw-whet Owl is too cute for words. Not much else to say about this tiny gem.

Saw-whet Owl 1

Sometimes it doesn't matter what you mumble, what incantation you invoke or how much you beg and plead, the birds just won't do what you want. They seem to have an agenda all their own. Hmm, imagine that. Anyway, I just could not convince this Pileated Woodpecker to sit still while I moved to the other side of the pond to get a photo without all of the branches in the way. As soon as I moved it flew high up into another tree laughing loudly as it flew away. Oh well, maybe a better photo another day. This photo was taken at Lake Lansing Park North.  

Pileated Woodpecker

This tiny Red-breasted Nuthatch chewed me out big time for having the nerve to take it's photograph. This is one of my favorite "tiny* birds. The photo was taken at Harris Nature Center, Meridian Township, Ingham County.

Red-breasted Nuthatch

When looking for owls you are always playing a game of hide-and-seek. They hide and you spend hours seeking. This tiny Saw-whet Owl shows that the odds of staying hidden are in their favor. The photograph was taken in the Rose Lake State Wildlife Area.

Saw-whet Owl
Saw-whet Owl

The male Northern Harrier is sometimes referred to as the Gray Ghost. This is most likely do to them being seen less often the the brown females and immatures. It is always a great treat to see a Gray Ghost hunting over a grassland in search of mice and voles. This photo was taken at Maple River SGA in Gratiot County.

Northern Harrier

I took a short trip up to Maple River SGA in Gratiot County to see the Short-eared Owls that have been putting on a wonderful early evening air show. I was lucky enough to see 7 of them. Here is a photo of one that flew close by and another that landed to take a look at all the funny humans standing around looking at him. What a wonderful way to spend the afternoon.

Short-eared Owl
Short-eared Owl
Short-eared Owl

I took a long walk at Central Park North today with my birding buddy Dexter, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. I think this Golden-crowned Kinglet took a liking to Dexter because it followed us around for quite some time flitting from bush to bush. And Dexter actually seemed quite interested in watching the tiny bird perform for us. I wonder why this Kinglet seemed so intrigued with a Corgi?

Golden-crowned Kinglet    Golden-crowned Kinglet

    

This Screetch Owl is taking a mid afternoon siesta while catching a little bit of sunshine on a pleasant winter day. Makes me yawn just to look at him so cozy in his tidy home. This photo was taken today in Dannsville SGA.

Screech Owl