Passing the Time

waiting for Spring.....

American Bald Eagle

I have really been sitting around this winter and have totally gotten out of shape. So, I went on a mile + walk on both Sunday and Monday. Boy, I was huffing and puffing and looking for the next park bench. Both days were cold of course but bright and sunny. Sunday I walked The Cherry Island Trail along the lake and Monday the woodlot trail at Lake Erie Metropark. Sunday I was more successful and saw my first red-winged blackbird of the season....they are the harbingers of spring. Of course the usual cardinals and chickadees were about. Off in the distance on the lagoon I saw about 8 Great Blue Herons. One was sitting on a log in the middle of the river, one was sitting in a tree and there were more on logs near the bank and also a few were flying overhead. I just had a feeling that they had recently returned from their winter home. The trail was so muddy and even under water in places. Luckily I had on boots so off I went. Great walk.

On the way home on Monday, I had just turned from Jefferson on to Middle Gibraltar Road when I spotted a bald eagle in a tree on the side of the road. He sat there looking at me as I got my camera out of the trunk and then he posed so nicely for a picture. Other cars began to stop as well, and he was still there when I left. He was banded so maybe he is used to people. It is unusual to see them so close....a thrill for me.

Added addendum, Saturday, March 3rd. The Woodhaven police brought in a bald eagle to the nature center. The eagle had been hit by a car. They were trying to find a raptor rescue which I believe, Gerry was helping them with. I so fear that it was my eagle because Woodhaven isn't far from where I saw him...as the eagle flies. Hope to hear news that he is OK and can be released.

The Marsh

The lagoon. Look way in the distance...there about six Great Blue Heron. one is sitting on a log right in the middle of the lagoon. I think they just flew in.

Say it isn't snow!

Sunny and snowing right now...weird! 30 degrees. There was a bird walk this morning at Oakwoods...passed on that. Next week it is suppose to warm up and even get up to 53 on Wednesday. Hope to get out a few times.

Thinking of opening a political blog because I am just bursting with anger and need to vent that somewhere. I don't even care if no one reads it. I will feel better ranting about the horrifying things that are going on in the GOP right now.

Calm down, Carol, and get out on the trail!

Rose...edited

Edited this photo in Elements but really have no idea how I did it. I should have spent the time, instead, looking on line for a basic class. It is so complicated that I can't comprehend how someone even could have invented this whole photoshop concept. Will carry on and hope that I learn the program before I end up in the nursing home.

The Bar

I absolutely loved this bar at the Historic Hotel. It is the original but I'm sure that instead of these decorative glass decanters there were "whisky bottles" on the shelves. The bar stools are very similar to the ones that my Dad had in his basement bar. I felt quite at home sitting up to the bar ;-)

Flat Rock Historic Hotel

Despite myself, I learned a lot on our photo shoot last night. Everyone in the class is far beyond me in knowledge and equipment but I muddled along and got some decent shots. The hotel was beautifully restored and furnished with all period pieces. The registry was original and the gentleman from the historic club said they have many register books. The one in the photo was from the 1930s. It really is worth a look at this building and the Victorian house next door. Will check that out when the weather warms.

Met some folks that belong to the Southgate Creative Camera Club and as luck would have it they meet tonight and there is a photoshop class. It is at the Southgate library so I think that I will check it out.

A Word From Gerry

Gerry, our fearless leader, from Crack O Dawn, told us that the Mallard duck is the only duck that quacks....really!

We all know that Canada geese honk. How would I get on in the world without all this valuable information?

Photography shoot tonight at historic Flat Rock Hotel.

Trees

I love these tree holes and always wonder who lives there and what their home is like inside.

What a perfect perch nature has provided.


Sycamore tree. Nature is providing us with free art work. Love the muted colors. Art imitates nature as the saying goes.

This old tree is seeing it last days but I'm sure that it is still useful to insects and other wild life. That is one great thing about winter, so much more is visible that you wouldn't know was there when the leaves are on the trees.

Sweet Little Junco

Everone knows that the chickadee is my favorite bird, followed by the cardinal but this little junco has a special place in my heart. He only comes to our area in the winter. We used to call them "Slate-Gray Juncos"...now I think that they call them "Dark Eyed Junco". Adorable whatever they are called.

Our Canadian Friends

Winter Color

Tree Sparrow (see spot on breast)
Beautiful Blue Jay

Hello down there!

I know how handsome I am.

My Valentine

Had a lovely walk at Oakwoods Metropark and also spent some time at the nature center at the feeding stations. It was great to see some color in an otherwise drab landscape. The cardinals and jays never disappoint. Besides the cardinals and jays, I saw doves, red -bellied woodpecker, downy woodpecker, tree sparrows, juncos, nuthatches, chickadees, titmouse, and a beautiful hawk. also got some great photos of flying Canada geese as well as mallards.

It was cold and standing around seems to make it worse but I warmed up after my walk.

After admiring Ulanawa's beautiful flower photos that she just posted I decided to post this picture of me in this silly hat to cheer up everyone as well. Bought the hat and wore it just once, on the day this picture was taken. It still sits on my shelf in my closet.

Just wanted to pretend that it is summer after posting those depressing photos from Pointe Mouilee. I can still feel the bitter wind.

Also resurrected an old Smile Box that makes me feel the sun on my back (not sun on my face as my face is shaded by the silly hat)

Think Summer

Free picture collage made with Smilebox

Pointe Mouilee

Click on these photos to apprecaite how desolate it was on the morning that I was there. It started off as a sunny day and by the time I got down to the wildlife presearve the weather did an about face. This area is just south of Lake Erie Metropark. It was difficult to appreciate any beauty there with the Fermi Nucular Power Plant looming near. Saw all the water fowl that I had seen at the metropark a few days earlier....swans, Canada geese, etc. Probably should go back there in the summer.

What is this life if, full of care, we have no time to stop and stare.

Winter Walk

These photos are from a walk that I took at Lower Huron Metropark on our last snowy day....awhile ago. Lower Huron is always good for geese and ducks and that part of the river is the last to freeze over (by the bike/hike bridge). The mallards are so colorful and they were flying, landing and squawking. I love when they just go with the flow and travel at great speeds down the river going sideways or even backwards, until they finally start paddling.

Today is sunny but cold...now about 27 degrees but I am going out for a walk to a new place. I have to google it, then find the place so it is a new adventure. I better hurry because who knows how long this sunshine will last.