First, second, third and fourth year Bald Eagles (left to right) sketches by me. During migration there is a progression of age classes of Bald Eagles. Early migration is dominated by adult birds and second year birds. Then as migration progresses there is a steady increase in first year birds. Third year birds are leastContinue reading “Bald Eagles in Michigan”
Tag Archives: michigan
Whitefish Point – Long-eared Owls
We are back at Whitefish Point, Michigan for a bit. It’s always nice when the drive from southern Michigan is easy and the weather is nice. Last night after walking to the point after dinner it had become quite cloudy with a moderate breeze from the west. This meant that any birds flying in theContinue reading “Whitefish Point – Long-eared Owls”
Whitefish Point – migrating hawks
The past two days have ha nice numbers of migrating hawks. This was dominated by Sharp-shinned Hawks, Northern Harriers and Rough-legged Hawks, which are all nice to see in numbers. A Sharp-shinned Hawk that landed in a dead tree. Rough-legged Hawks were dominated by light-colored birds although a few dark ones passed by. Northern HarriersContinue reading “Whitefish Point – migrating hawks”
Whitefish Point – A rare bird shows up
You never quite know what to expect bird wise when you’re at Whitefish Point. I am always interested in what raptors appear, when they appear and in what numbers. Rough-legged Hawks seem to fly in any weather, regardless of the temperature or wind direction. The same applies to Sharp-shinned Hawks and Turkey Vultures. Red-tailed HawksContinue reading “Whitefish Point – A rare bird shows up”
Whitefish Point – Hawk-watching
Yesterday was a wonderful day at Whitefish Point. The daytime temperature went from 30F to 40F with light ESE to SE winds. Those winds pushed the birds way to the west of us, but we could still see a lot of them. Red-tailed Hawks dominated the day with most forming a large kettle of overContinue reading “Whitefish Point – Hawk-watching”
Spring wildflowers in Michigan
We went to Hudson Mills Metropark in Washtenaw County yesterday searching for a special little spring wildflower that is typically the first of the flowers that we see each year in Michigan. We were not disappointed. Stoneflies are some of the earliest insects that we find in Michigan. Here are photos of possibly two species,Continue reading “Spring wildflowers in Michigan”
Drawings: Part-8
These sketches represent where we ate and some of the birds that we saw over our past two visits to Chippewa County in the past month. In late January we had a small flock of Pine Grosbeaks. While in most years these are quite common for some reason they’re pretty unusual this year. With anyContinue reading “Drawings: Part-8”
A few days in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
We’re just home after spending five days in the Upper Peninsula. These are Oldsquaw (now called Long-tailed Duck). A very impressive flock of Snow Buntings. One of the many SNowy Owls that we saw on ur trip. A young Bald Eagle. One of four Glaucous Gulls that we saw at the Dafter Dump. Two ofContinue reading “A few days in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan”
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”
