We always stop along M-123, between I-75 and Moran (Mackinac Co., Michigan) to see this orchid when it is blooming. This is the Showy Lady’s-slipper. Sometimes to get there before they are blooming, or after they’re done. But sometime we hit them at peak. That was the case this year with an added benefit. InContinue reading “Finding an interesting orchid”
Tag Archives: michigan
Finally, some flowers!
Last night we had a beautiful sunset. This is one of the great joys of having an upper deck that faces west. White flowers seem to be dominating currently. The plant on the left is wild strawberry, there must be thousands between our place and the lighthouse at Whitefish Point. The plant on the rightContinue reading “Finally, some flowers!”
A night filled with moths
When the nights are warmer and without a threat of rain we set up the lights for attracting moths. In this part of May it’s still chancy regarding what we might get at Whitefish Point. The other night was better than we had recently experienced. Here are a few of our moths. We had severalContinue reading “A night filled with moths”
Birds at Whitefish Point
Finally, a small push in passerines at Whitefish Point. We had 12 species of warblers, 2 vireos, 2 flycatchers and a sparrow. Also the Great-tailed Grackle continues to be seen at the point. Warblers included: Nashville, Myrtle, Yellow, Blackburnian, Common Yellowthroat, Magnolia, Tennessee, Black-throated Green, Canada, Orange-crowned and Wilson’s. Vireos were Red-eyed and Philadelphia. FlycatchersContinue reading “Birds at Whitefish Point”
Time for some harriers
I love watching harriers migrate. Of all of the raptors they have the most-bouyant flight. Additionally when seen well you can identify males, females and juveniles. This is a juvenile harrier. This is probably a juvenile female that passed close to me. At the same time there are always eagles to watch at Whitefish Point.Continue reading “Time for some harriers”
Orchids in Mackinac County, Michigan
Yesterday we made our first real trip this year searching for orchids. We thought that the orchid season should be early this year – we weren’t disappointed. The first orchids that we found were Striped coralroot. They weren’t quite blooming but were close. In another week or two they’ll be open. Next we found theContinue reading “Orchids in Mackinac County, Michigan”
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”
Michael's Place 