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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Prothonotary Farewell
Last Sunday I went kayaking on the Grand River to say goodbye to the Prothonotary Warblers for this year. The little ones have fledged in all but one nesting cavity. After they fledge the families seem to just disappear into thin air. I will miss not seeing them on my river trips. Farewell to a most beautiful bird. More photos can be seen here.
Dickcissel
The last time I saw a a Dickcissel I was a teenager. I was riding my bicycle down Burt Road in Hillsdale County when I heard a new bird song. The lovely song was coming from a small bird perched atop a tiny apple tree. I knew immediately that it was my first Dickcissel. I have been wanting to see another one for some time now. So when I heard the reports that birders were seeing one along Damman Road just south of Fowlerville I grabbed my binoculars and camera and was on my way down the road. It wasn't long before I was rewarded with some great views of this singing male. A great big Thank you to those that passed on the location of this beautiful bird.
Bald Eagle
Last week on my vacation, at 5:30 every morning, this magnificent bird would perch in the top of a Spruce Tree less than 50 feet from my bedroom window and wake me up with it's good morning calls.
Number 200 for 2014
When I started my "Big Year" I figured that 175 birds would be a fantastic number. Two weeks ago, to my amazement, I found myself approaching 200. So I started to plan a way to make number 200 something special. It was going to be a bird that I had seen with my Aunt Mary, Uncle Clifford, Aunt Thera and Uncle Paul. These were the special people in my life that got me started in birding and why I am a "Bird Nerd" to this day. So here is number 200, a Kirtland's Warbler. It was a very good day! Now to see how far I can go beyond 200.
Shiawassee IR
Last weekend when I went kayaking at the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge I took time to capture some Infra red photos. This is one that I liked a lot. You can see the rest of the Shiawassee IR photos here.
Finally Found One
For some reason I have had a very hard time finding a Swamp Sparrow this year, until this weekend. This little guy flew right out into my path where I couldn't miss him. Here are some more pics from the weekend.
Osprey
Yesterday I visited Maple River SGA and Shiawasee NWR. I saw four new birds for the year and a couple of Osprey. This one was intent on fishing and wasn't paying a bit of attention to me. I was hoping to see it catch a fish but no such luck. It was a great day to be outside in my kayak.
Cerulean Day
A friend and I decided to visit Barry County today and see if we could find a Cerulean Warbler. Long story short, we found three of them. This is one beautiful bird, and we are two lucky birders. This was the best shot I could come up with.
Lunch Time
I found this Pileated Woodpecker nest several weeks ago. I have been waiting to take pics when the lighting was soft. Alas I fear the babies are getting big and my time for the perfect lighting is running out. So I braved the mosquitoes, sat in the woods for a while and was rewarded with some excellent views of both parents feeding the young ones. This is the first time that I have seen baby Pileated Woodpeckers and they are just as cute as I imagined they would be.
Grasshopper Sparrow
I finally found the time to go to the Van Atta Road Nature Preserve and look for the Grasshopper and Henslow's Sparrows that others have been seeing this spring. Another group of birders showed up and I joined them in the hunt. Luckily one of them had brought his scope along and we were able to get good looks at both of the birds. We were also able to clearly hear them singing. The Henslow's Sparrow is a lifer. It was a very good day. Here are some pics of the Grasshopper, the Henslow's was too far away for pics.
Eye on the Dog
This little chipper was very interested in my walking companion, a Corgi named Dexter.
Leucistic Robin
Earlier in the year someone reported seeing a leucistic Robin at the MSU Clarence E Lewis Landscape Arboretum. So I have been walking through there almost every day to see if I could find it. Well today was my lucky day. At 12:30 I saw the Robin at the west end of the Arboretum, specifically in the Yvonne Wilson Native Plant Garden. All I had was my iPhone to take pics so this is the best I could do.
Blue-headed Vireo
Here is a tiny bird with a beautiful song and nice white spectacles. I love how birds always know you are watching them, and sometimes they take the time to scrutinize you.
Prairie Warbler
On my way home from a weekend up north I receive an email that a local birder had found a Prairie Warbler in North Meridian Park. When I got home I unpacked the car, grabbed the camera and binoculars and headed over to the Park to see if the little guy was still hanging around. As I approached the Savannah loop I could hear his lovely song and it didn't take long to find him. Here are pics of the Prairie Warbler. I believe this is only the 2nd time a Prairie Warbler has been found in Ingham County.
