Aurora at Whitefish Point

Recently I have been in a bit of a writing funk, a total lack of creativity. It’s been some time since I’ve had this issue to such a pronounced level and lasting so long. Hopefully the events yesterday will light a fire under my writing. The evening started with a glow on the northern horizon.Continue reading “Aurora at Whitefish Point”

Lichens instead of birds

Today started still and foggy, but at least it’s not raining. The past week has been less than optimal for migrants. Odds and ends have been showing up, but not much. This morning I turned my attention to the great array of lichens here at Whitefish Point. The trees are literally dripping with moisture ladenContinue reading “Lichens instead of birds”

Accidental nature walk in Ann Arbor

This morning as we were walking to meet a friend for breakfast. we managed to find a lot of flowering plants and other stuff. Evergreen bagworm cocoons in some evergreen shrubs. A flowering Norway maple. A flowering Bartlett’s pear. Flowering serviceberry. Flowering purple dead nettle, the final flower of the morning. More tomorrow…

Migration at Whitefish Point

This adult Golden Eagle made two passes towards the point this morning. It never got very high. There was also at least one young Bald Eagle. The number of Sharp-shinned Hawks increased today. Up until now they’ve been passing in small numbers. I imagine that next week numbers will increase. Rough-legged Hawks were a bitContinue reading “Migration at Whitefish Point”

Another day with hawks

The day started with so much promise. But clouds came in and there was intermittent rain. But that didn’t stop us from finding birds. Brown Creepers moved into the area with numbers last night. We had out first American Woodcocks and Winter Wrens this morning. I guess that it’s spring. Between periods of cloudiness, rainContinue reading “Another day with hawks”

Migration and an eclipse

This morning was our first day with clouds since arriving at Whitefish Point. While it made for a beautiful sunrise, the prospects of being able to detect the solar eclipse seemed dimmed. The day started unusually. The first two migrants were adult Golden Eagles. Was that a good omen? Perhaps. Migrants started sailing by. TheContinue reading “Migration and an eclipse”

A fine day at Whitefish Point

Another stunning sunrise at Whitefish Point. This is the view to the east from the Raptor Roost, where I watch migration at our cabin. It was completely still and 26F. While that sounds cold, it wasn’t. I sat outside listening to the point wake up. As the sun rose it started lighting trees to theContinue reading “A fine day at Whitefish Point”

1970s Ann Arbor

One corner of downtown Ann Arbor is a real throwback to the 1970s when I moved here. Kosmo’s used to be in Kerrytown, close to the Farmer’s Market. This is Susan’s favorite place to get be-bim-bop for breakfast. Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger used to be around the intersection of Division and Packard. I haven’t eatenContinue reading “1970s Ann Arbor”

Mexican food in Farragut, Tennessee

On our final day heading back to Ann Arbor we stopped in Farragut, Tennessee since we needed gas and it was almost noon. We wanted to avoid any big city traffic so this was our choice. Well, we hit the jackpot. Pulling into town I saw a gas station with inexpensive gas and we hadContinue reading “Mexican food in Farragut, Tennessee”