Isn't he handsome?

The weather outside is frightful.....

It was 7 degrees when I got up this morning! That is way too cold for me. Have several appointments in the next few days, otherwise I wouldn't go out at all. Well, it is winter so what do I expect, right?

in the lane snow is glistening....

Sitting at my computer and this is the scene from my window. Coming down fast and heavy.

Great Blue Heron

Even though it was a gloomy day, I wanted to get out doors, get some fresh air and walk. I went to Oakwood with the intent of taking pictures at the bird feeders only to find out that the feeders were empty and no birds anywhere. It was hawk day however, and I saw 4 hawks. Then, at Lower Huron, I got this great photo of a heron. He was standing as still as a stick and I didn't even notice him at first. I think that this is a youngster as he (or she) doesn't have any plumes on his head.

Snow tonight and than bitter cold next week. Keep warm every body.

My Chilly Brother

My brother went with his canoe club for their last canoe run, which they call The Chilly Chili Run. Are they crazy or what? It was bitter cold that day but I understand that the chili was great. My brother, Jim, has the light gray hat and a red kayak. Thanks to whoever took these pictures.

Woodland Winter Details

Fungi

Really wanted to get out and walk today and the sun was shining, however, it was bitter out there. There was hardly a soul at the park. I did not see a bird and only one squirrel ( left him some almonds). But if you look hard enough there is always something interesting to see. Check out these fungi. The bottom two were topped with frost. More tomorrow.

Blue Bow

Miss Emma with her blue bow. That day was the last of the warm weather.....it really wasn't "that" warm. Emma forgot her coat.

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Woodland Structures 2

This may be an old tree stump but I bet it is home to some woodland creature at night. Sometimes at night, I think about the woods I may have walked that day and imagine it after dark. It seems pretty scary to me. I give my brother credit for backpacking by himself and camping overnight.
Depending on the park that I go to, some of them are pretty deserted during the week. Cell phone and pepper spray and hope for the best.....sometimes I wish I were a man.

At the Car wash.......

Liam, at the car wash...well what else do you do on a Saturday when your football season is over?

Woodland Structures

Fogged In

Fog horns on the river at night or in the evening are not unusual but rarely do I hear them during the day. Everyday last week, it was foggy. Even by afternoon the fog wasn't totally burned off. I was walking at Lake Erie metropark and several times heard the fog horns. Later, I drove to the lake and could just make out a large freighter (barge). Although it was 1:30pm and sunny at the park, it was still fogged in on the water. This ship is on the Detroit River, just at the mouth of Lake Erie. You can barely make it out on the left side of the picture.That is the back of the ship...the front barge part cannot be seen. I suspect they have some kind of radar but still rely on the fog horn.

Bald Eagle

I was so fortunate to see and photograph this Bald Eagle. I used a telephoto lens and then enlarged it on my PC. It was really up there. He was just circling around and around at Lower Huron Metropark near the river. If you are familiar with the park it was near Tulip Tree picnic area. I took the photo to the nature center to make sure that I was correct in my ID of this magnificent bird. He said that the eagle is a mature 5 year old. He also said a pair were seen nesting in a near-by sod farm this spring. I am so lucky to have seen this beauty but am so sad to think of Luc, the captive bald eagle at Lake Erie Metropark. He was injured and cannot be released into the wild and cannot fly free again. If you want to visit Luc, he is in an enclosure behind and to the left of the nature center at Lake Erie Metropark.

Bittersweet

As fruits and leaves and the day itself acquire a bright tint just before they fall, so the year nears its setting. October is its sunset sky; November the later twilight. Thoreau

Sunny Sunday

My friend Gretta and I spent some time Sunday at the nature center at Oakwood Metropark. We sat by the fire and watched the birds out the window. It was nice with the fireplace and the view. There were quite a few bird feeders that attracted the usual suspects...chickadees, nuthatches, Downy woodpeckers and titmice. Went back the next day with my camera. Thanks Gretta for the company.

Tamarack tree

Indian Summer

Blacked-capped Chickadee

We have been having Indian Summer the last few days with lots of sun and temps in the low 60's. I have been taking advantage of the weather and have been hitting the metroparks. These photos were taken at Kensington metropark in Milford. I really enjoyed just strolling along on the nature trail, never in a hurry. This is so out of character for me and I really have to work on this leisurely attitude. I'm much more the hurry along, worry along type. I love all my little birds that (at Kensington) flock around and follow you. I also got this great picture of the red-bellied woodpecker. Haven't seen one of these since the 70's when we lived in Waltz.


Monday I went to Oakwood Metropark and walked the "Sky-come-down" trail and got some great pics which I will post this week. It was really pretty there and I found out from last year that this is the best time to walk. the temperature is moderate, there are no bugs and everything is in plain view. The picture to the left is at Kensington on Kent Lake.

White Breasted Nuthatch

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Mystery Solved

My mystery bird has been identified. A gentleman at Lake Erie Metropark Nature Center easily identified my bird who I had seen and photographed at Lower Huron Metropark last month. He said the give away was that the bird was eating poison ivy berries. I don't know one berry from another! He said the bird is common at Lake Erie as well and stays around all winter. He is a Yellow-rumped Warbler!

Halloween

My family had a great Halloween. Most costumes were bought but I think the best ones are home made.....so the prizes for the best adult family costume goes to: my son-in-law, Takeshi Mitsuoka, the clown ;-)
The best children's costume goes to: my grand daughter, Emma Carney. Of course she has her Mom to thank for making the costume. The very clever thing is that Emma's friends all went as crayons too (different colors).

Winter is just around the corner......

We have had frost the last two mornings. Winter is just around the corner. What does the Farmer's Almanac forecast for this winter season?
Never heard anything from the nature center at Oakwood Metropark regarding my bird picture. Will try to get back there this weekend.
Worked in the yard today..it was cold but bright and sunny. Put my hose away to discover that I have a drip from my spigot. Couldn't budge the turn off valve. Called the plumber who is coming Friday. Don't want the line to freeze up.
Saw a beautiful downy woodpecker at my neighbor's suet cage....a male.
Let's charish every sunny day left. Not only is the cold weather coming but also the gloom.

Witch Hazel

Oakwood Metropark

Spent a rather chilly time walking at Oakwood Metropark. I usually take my time hoping a sweet bird will appear but I hurried on and only walked a little over a mile. Later I went to Lower Huron. There were no birds at either place. Are they all in Florida already???
As you can see, almost all the leave are gone but the ones still on the trees are vibrant in color. I think the little yellow blossoms are witch hazel.
Winter is almost here. It is suppose to get into the 20's tonight and they are predicting wet snow/rain for Sat. Last year I had some of my best walks in November.
If with fancy unfurled
You leave your abode
You may go round the world
By the old Marlborough Road (Excursions, Thoreau)

Mystery bird

I shot this picture a week or so ago at Lower Huron. I have not been able to identify this bird. Today, I took a few pictures to the nature center at Oakwood Metropark. The young man was not able to name it either but thought that it may be a warbler of some kind. I left the pictures with him and my phone number. He said his boss, who was the bird expert, would be in on Tuesday and he would call me. It's difficult because birds are migrating now.