Category Archives: Uncategorized

It’s not often that I see a new book about natural history and immediately order it, but I did with this one. My current go too book on lichens is The Lichens of North America, which is huge. It’s about 8″x14″ and weights in around 4 pounds. It’s way too big and comprehensive to cartContinue reading “A new lichen book”

Shortly after 5pm last night I got a call from my friend Don saying that there was a Limpkin in the Arboretum. Susan and I were getting ready for dinner, but immediately stopped and headed down to the Arb. It was a short walk from the Hospital parking lot to where there were several people.Continue reading “A rare bird in Ann Arbor”

Fall is in full swing here. The winds have shifted to the SE and it’s much warmer than the other day. Lots of ducks moving at the point, mergansers, teal, scaup and scoters mostly. Lapland Longspurs are always fun to see, even briefly as they fly by. I spent some time watching birds from theContinue reading “Whitefish Point, day-6 – migration”

It’s now distinctly fall in the north currently. Most of the deciduous trees have now turned colors, some complete losing their leaves. Since the temperature outside was 37F this morning, and 63 in the cabin I decided it was time for the first fire of fall. It’s been nice seeing Linda at the point theContinue reading “Whitefish Point: day-5, friends”

Actually, that’s a great question. Pictures definitely predated written-language, but nobody knows which came first language or pictures. A good way to lose yourself in the Fall. Yep, that’s the problem and a good way to problem solve. Reality bites, not science. Something about the tortoise and the bird in BC that just makes myContinue reading “Whitefish Point: day-4 humor”

What a difference from yesterday to today. The left photo was yesterday at 8am. The right photo was this morning at 8am. For the last two days the wind has been from 15-20 mph. But an even bigger difference today is that the wind is from the NE. With my neurological issues I cannot beContinue reading “Whitefish Point: day-3, a lot of wind”

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”