On our daily walks I often find something that is either new for me for the year, or an interesting observation. This evergreen bagworm cocoon was not new for me in any respect. But was interesting was finding it in a deciduous tree rather than an evergreen, which was strange. The moth had obviiously pupatedContinue reading “The never ending search for life – part 3”
Author Archives: makielb
Palenque, Mexico
Over the years I have always been intrigued by the Mayan, and other ruins in Mexico. I have also been quite fortunate to be able to visit some. The great ceremonial city of Palenque in Chiapas, Mexico sits on the side of a hill overlooking a vast plane. I’ve been on every one of theContinue reading “Palenque, Mexico”
Peschici, Italy
My grandfather was born in Peschici, Foggia, Italy in 1892. I’ve heard stories about the town all of my life. I have friends and family from Peschici and can trace my ancestors to 1500 there, with several coming from across the Adriatic in what was Dalmatia, and is now Croatia. This photo showed up inContinue reading “Peschici, Italy”
Last night’s bird talk
Last night I gave a talk on warbler migration for the Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance at the downtown Ann Arbor Library. As always it was amazing fun. I saw a lot of people that I hadn’t seen for years. I censused birds in the Arb between 1979 and 2008. At the end my responsibilitiesContinue reading “Last night’s bird talk”
The never ending search for life – part 2
Last night we went to the Conservancy Farm hoping to find one of the Short-eared Owls that have been seen there. But we got there at least an hour before sunset, which on a clear cold night was great. Since we had a lot of time to walked several trails seeing what we could find.Continue reading “The never ending search for life – part 2”
The never ending search for life
My never-ending search for different living things is well underway in 2025. I started on January first with several walks in Eugene, Oregon. I had some 17 species of birds and managed to find a total of 116 species of animals, plants and fungi. Every walk that I take give me a chance of findingContinue reading “The never ending search for life”
Happy Insurrection Day!
Somehow the events of January 6, 2020 seem even more significant today than than did in past years. The idea that the monster who condoned and even enflamed the insurrection is being radafied as the next President of the United States is beyond belief. How did this country ever get to this point? So, withContinue reading “Happy Insurrection Day!”
Some recent “art”
For years I have spent time drawing and painting. I used to draw and sketch wherever I went. Then starting in the early 2000s I was too busy teaching for drawing. I think that the last drawings that I did were in 2014-6. Then with my neurological condition and meds I completely lost the abilityContinue reading “Some recent “art””
A year filled with orchids
Bearded grass pink in the Florida pan-handle in March. Calypso/Fairy slipper in Mackinac County, Michigan in May. Heart-leaved twayblade in Mackinac County, Michigan in May. Spotted coralroot in Mackinac County, Michigan in May. Obviously May was a great month for orchids in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Yellow lady’s slippers in late may once againContinue reading “A year filled with orchids”
Birds and more from 2024
And that’s why I forget to do things. Sometimes cartoons say it better than a human ever could. Now on to nature – An American Kestrel photographed in Washtenaw County, Michigan. American Oystercatcher from Dauphin Island, Alabama. Blue Grosbeak from Washtenaw County, Michigan where they are now nesting. Bohemian Waxwing in CHippewa County, Michigan. BurrowingContinue reading “Birds and more from 2024”
Michael's Place 