The other day started out with a beautiful full Moon. Soon Susan and I were heading out to look for a bird that is a rare nesting species in Michigan. We were headed to Sharon Mills. There are nice trails that pass through grasslands and skirt the woods. Milkweeds had monarch caterpillars and milkweed tussockContinue reading “Searching for a rare bird in Michigan”
Tag Archives: nature
Another travel day, another unusual animal
We were traveling from Whitefish Point to Ann Arbor today. Typically, our travel days involve a small number of moths and sometimes butterflies that we see at rest areas along I-75. But today was different. We did have a very small number of moths but Susan finding a Five-lined skink was special. I’m not sureContinue reading “Another travel day, another unusual animal”
Another day, another new moth
It’s another beautiful morning at Whitefish Point, Michigan. Since the evening with the Black Witch it’s been rather slow with moths. Nothing big and spectacular, but some interesting smaller moths. The seemingly ever present sweetfern geometer. This is one of the first moths that we get in May and typically have it every week ofContinue reading “Another day, another new moth”
Bishop’s Bog orchids
We spent Saturday morning at Bishop’s Bog Preserve, in Portage, Michigan. It was a near perfect day. Normally I would have said that we were spot-on for seeing the orchids that we were searching for, but this year we were actually a week or two late for flowers. We were lucky though and saw aContinue reading “Bishop’s Bog orchids”
Moth night at Island Park, Ann Arbor
Our day started with the new moth trap set up. We got some moths and lost of aquatic insects. We had a spectacular dinner. Susan made falafel and we got tuum, humus, pita at El Harissa. I made mango-curried chickpeas and rice and this is what dinner looked like. Had to eat well since weContinue reading “Moth night at Island Park, Ann Arbor”
Summer viruses – 2024
With The Ann Arbor Art Fairs happening this week I am somewhat concerned about the spread of COVID in southern Michigan. Artists from all over the world, not just North America will be in town as will visitors from all over. This, as always is the perfect vector for spreading viruses. The current situation isContinue reading “Summer viruses – 2024”
Shorebirds at Whitefish Point
Spending a lot of time on the shore and sand dundes at Whitefish Point means that you will see a lot of shorebirds. The obvious target for the majority of birdwatchers is Piping Plover. But there are a lot of other shorebirds as well. Adult Piping Plover. Piping Plover chick running across the stones andContinue reading “Shorebirds at Whitefish Point”
Another day, another orchid
There’s never a day at Whitefish Point that isn’t interesting. Many times it’s with birds, sometimes insects or plants. Today it was with an orchid. The day started with clear skies and 59F. I was sitting on the deck sipping coffee when I took out my phone and got this picture. After a walk toContinue reading “Another day, another orchid”
Butterflies and dinner
Currently there is very little diversity in butterflies at Whitefish Point. But there are still some interesting ones. I’m not a big fan of European skippers, they usually show up in the hundreds or even the thousands. However, seeing just one is OK, even though they are a non-native invasive. Over the past few daysContinue reading “Butterflies and dinner”
A night filled with moths
We’re back at Whitefish Point which means some serious mothing! Getting up in the morning to between two and three hundred moths resulted in hours of photographing and identifying moths. The moth above is a Wavy chestnut Y, which beside being a beautiful moth is an interesting name. The moth on the left is aContinue reading “A night filled with moths”
Michael's Place 