Author Archives: makielb

A beautiful sunrise. The temperature was 45F, and the wind chill was 37-38F. So it was pretty cool outside. We had the owl banders over for dinner, which it was for them. They had a good night banding Saw-whet Owls, two Boreal Owls and a Long-eared Owl. It was fun talking to them and hearingContinue reading “Whitefish Point, day-2”

A beautiful start to our October visit to the cabin. Lots of migrants this morning. The dominant birds were Pine Siskins, Purple Finches, Juncos, White-throated Sparrows, American Tree Sparrows and crows. There were a few odds and ends as well such as Fox Sparrow and White-crowned Sparrow. I managed to sit in the rocker onContinue reading “October at Whitefish Point: day-1”

Why start a blog on Halloween with covid death statistics from the early years of the pandemic? Well, I was thinking about how difficult it was for kids back then. Somehow missing trick-or-treating is a big deal, I can remember that from when I was a kid. So, the solution for those of us whoContinue reading “Thinking about Halloween”

Most of the plants are out. We have composted manure ready to add to the beds. Then in a few weeks it will be time to gather and shred leaves to add to the beds. The small bed for herbs is going strong. Chives, mint and thyme all over winter. The rosemary will probably die,Continue reading “Getting the garden ready for winter”

On our walk this morning we passed a zombie feeding area. We’ll have to remember to check in on this “area” later in the month. But when we got home and finished other things it was time to take down the garden. I brought in six butternut squash and two spaghetti squash. I also repottedContinue reading “Feeding and the garden”

We’re only a few blocks from the Creal Microgallery. At least twice a day when we’re home we walk by it and enjoy what is on display. Currently, the exhibit is composed of Silicone “sculptures.” It is quite nice. What you have to remember is that the exhibition space is approximately 14″ wide, 10″ deepContinue reading “Art and Science for the day”

This morning Mike and I made the drive from Leamington to Holiday Beach, a place that is very dear to me. I spent 1980-1990 as a hawk counter here. And in 1988 was involved with getting the tower. We had arranged to have Detroit Edison sell us the tower, which they had on their propertyContinue reading “Visiting Holiday Beach, Ontario”

Visiting some favorite trees today. On the left is a northern hackberry, in the center a dwarf hackberry and on the right a red mulberry. I love looking at the tree at Pelee. The park is over-run with turkeys. You can go down the more more than a kilometer or two without seeing a flock.Continue reading “Another day at Pt. Pelee”

My friend Mike and I are spending a couple of days birdwatching at Pt. Pelee, just south of Leamington, Ontario. I have seen this tower so many times, and it has never been open. Why build it if you can’t used it? I have missed exploring the Carolinean forest of Pt. Pelee for many years.Continue reading “Spending a few days at Pt. Pelee, Ontario”

Yep, it’s that time of year again. I’ve noticed the leaflets from our neighbors black locust strewn along the block. Pretty soon the maples and oaks will be adding in. Yes, it’s fall! Do not use education in the face of a threat – you will always lose. It’s a bird feeder! Actually this remindsContinue reading “Monday afternoon humor”