makielb

Broad-winged Hawks

The past few days have been spotty for hawks. There have been a lot of Sharp-shinned Hawks, Bald Eagles and Broad-winged Hawks. Here are a couple of pictures from directly over the cabin. A kettle of 1-200 Broad-winged Hawks just south of the cabin, slowly drifting overhead. The best way to count them is whenContinue reading “Broad-winged Hawks”

Interesting sparrows at Whitefish Point

Yesterday was interesting here at Whitefish Point. At the feeders we had several Eurasian Tree Sparrows, which are annual visitors here. There a friend told us about a Harris’ Sparrow coming to feeders at a friend of his. So off we went. The Harris’ was feeding on the ground with White-crowned Sparrows. All by itselfContinue reading “Interesting sparrows at Whitefish Point”

Editorial cartoons about disease

Currently Hantavirus is the latest disease threat even though the WHO is monitoring an ebola outbreak in Africa. RFK Jr. as a rat – I like it. Hantavirus talking to SARS-CoV-2, aka COVID. The rats love RFK Jr. Mickey Mouse with his buddies. More later when I’m back to birds.

What we did for Birdathon

Martin and I spend almost all of yesterday in the field birding. We started with a brief visit to Lone Pine Road, just south of the Tahquamenon River, then went over to the Pickford Mitigation Ponds, went to the Kirtland’s Warbler nesting area and birded our way back to Whitefish Point alon the Curley LewisContinue reading “What we did for Birdathon”

Birdathon – 2026

The Whitefish M & Ms. Martin and me. Yesterday we birded from 6pm until 9:30pm, and we had 34 species of birds. The real trek is today. we’ll be starting around sunup and finding birds until 6pm. Thus, we we have a 24-hour period with birds. This is being done to support The Friends ofContinue reading “Birdathon – 2026”

A birdie day at Whitefish Point

Susan took a picture of me sitting out on the deck watching birds in the morning. The highlight of the day was a Swainson’s Hawk. Here it is next to a Broad-winged Hawk. A couple of different views of the Swainson’s Hawk. The Swainson’s Hawk heading off to the point. One of the many EveningContinue reading “A birdie day at Whitefish Point”

An unexpected find

It’s always nice when you find something that you weren’t expecting. That happened yesterday. Susan found a small critter on the boardwalk to the point. The unexpected surprise was a newt, always a nice find here. I’m sitting writing this as I am taking a break from watching birds heading north. The highlights so farContinue reading “An unexpected find”

From the garden to the birds

The plants in the garden survived the night, it never got that cold. This is what it looked like as we were getting ready to head north. Got to Whitefish Point and the Red-breasted Nuthatches were enjoying the suet. At one point there were seven on the suet or waiting to get to it. ThisContinue reading “From the garden to the birds”

Dealing with nature

This morning the B.C. comic was so appropriate. Last night after planting the garden there was a frost warning. Susan quickly got the plants covered. Since we’re leaving today to go north when we uncover the plants they will be “on their own” for a while. This morning it was 36F when I got up,Continue reading “Dealing with nature”

Garden 2026

It’s time to think about what’s going into our garden this year sice we will be planting it this week. Three of the beds are ready for planting. One bed, the lower right one still needs mint removed. The two rows with stuff already growing are our garlic beds. Once the garlic comes out we’llContinue reading “Garden 2026”