Winter is coming!

The waxing Moon continues to show more of her face.

As I sit and watch birds fly by it is becoming obvious that we had better start preparing for some cooler weather.

While this small maple seems inadequate to start judging fall colors, it is a sign that the maples are already turning red.

Many of the pine cones are now open and ready for birds to extract seeds. Those are jack pine cones on the left and white pine cones on the right. It’s interesting watching birds extract seeds. Pine Siskins are taking a few seeds, mostly from white pines. They land on the branches enxt to the cones reaching over into the cones trying to avoid the obvious sap. They’re large enough birds to manage that. Red-breasted Nuthatches are another story. With the jack lines they land directly on the open cones, feeding on the seeds. With white pine cones they try to hover, getting at seeds avoiding the sap. It’s rather funny watching them do this, as they not not well suited to hovering.

And finally a bird that we are seeing a lot of this fall – American Pipit. This is perhaps the best photo that I have ever taken of one. We usually have one or two in the fines near our cabin, or on the ground. Interestingly, single birds will continuously bob or flick their tails, much like a Palm Warbler. Regardless, they have been fun to watch.

Tomorrow we are off to visit the Toonerville Trolly and the Tahquamenon River. That should prove to be an interesting adventure.

Until then.