Belle Isle

Belle Isle Conservatory
Forsythia in bloom


Pavilion

The pink bridge

The Carillon Bell Tower

Orchids with Bell Tower in back ground

I enjoyed a wonderful morning on Belle Isle and especially enjoyed the conservatory. I put a link to the conservatory to the right...just click on the picture. It was a beautiful day and I enjoyed the best things and closed my eyes to the worst...litter and just the dilapidated condition of the park in general. The back of the island was really littered with whiskey and wine bottles and condoms...yikes. I heard that the state wants to run the island as a state park and I for one would be willing to pay to get in if they improve the once beautiful Belle Isle

I loved all the wonderful plants and flowers on the island and in the conservatory. The Carillon Bell Tower was playing "Camp Town Races" as I drove by.

I have many beautiful flower photos yet to post.

Photography Class

Last evening our photography class went to Ypsilanti for a photo shoot. We did a lot of walking and had to move along before we "lost the light". That's the problem with this time of year although without daylight savings time we wouldn't have been able to do it at all. Anyway it was a pretty cool place to shoot and the guys especially loved the train station and rr tracks.

Afterward, we stayed there to eat as there were several nice bars and restaurants.

My Joy

Don't know what I would do if I didn't have my camera. I am so glad that I have lived long enough to see this digital technology. It is instant gratification. Love my camera....love Emma!

Emma was here as my model today. Trying to take some photos for my class that need to turned in at the end of the class. Some of the pictures will hang in the Flat Rock Municipal Building. Sure would like one of Emma chosen to hang there

I'm loving my hobby!

Crosswinds Marsh

Mute Swan

Sitting on the nest. Taken at Kenxington Metropark.

It is hard to resist taking pictures of the Mute Swans. They are a beautiful water fowl and they are on every lake or marsh land that I go to. Gerry, our fearless leader, gives us frequent lectures on why he dislike this species so much.

The Mute Swan is a non-native, invasive species that damages the aquatic habitat because of their aggressive feeding habits. They are also aggressive in their behavior as well, driving away other species and even attacking fishermen and the like.

If you see a pair, note that the male's beak is a brighter color orange than the female.

Well, they do make a "Kodak moment" so regardless, I will probably continues to photograph them.

This is an Ameican Wigeon. Poor picture, I know, but they were way out on the lake. Hope to see a beautiful male wood duck soon but these guys were pretty colorful too and I had never seen them before.

The D

Detroit City

I was out and about taking photographs today and ventured into the city by myself. All was well. I had my pepper spray on me at all times and felt some comfort of the protection. It wasn't until I got home and was emptying my pockets that I found I had inadvertently picked up a plastic clip instead of the pepper spray. I chuckled out loud about that mistake.


It was rather misty this morning and even though these photos that I took of Detroit came out pretty well, I was disappointed that the Ambassador Bridge doesn't show.


I have many great photos to post especially of the Belle Isle Conservatory so stay tuned.

It's all in the details

Photos from the DIA....the painting and the close up. Surprised how good it came out.

News from my photography class, finally! We will be doing something next Monday but it is up in the air as to what. If it is classroom, I will give it a miss. On April 14th we are going to the Parade Company and will have 2 hours to take pictures of the Thanksgiving Day Parade floats and other attractions. The problem, that is the same morning as Crack O Dawn and I really hate to miss that. I really hope we get out and about between then. I am tempted to go to the Belle Isle Conservatory on my own. Maybe tomorrow. Wish I had an automatic weapon to take with me though. I guess that I will go to Lake Erie instead.

Living in the moment

I still am working on enjoying where I am when I am there...if that makes any sense. I look so forward to my walks but when I get there I think that I should be going home. There is nothing at home that is urgent...no one is there, nothing that has to be done. it is just some compulsion. I am working on it. I also need to wander slowly with my mind open to the environment and all it holds. Instead, I sometimes walk and worry about concerns and problems. I think "I am being ridiculous"! And I am.
I recently read this phrase "In order to see birds, it is necessary to become part of the silence". I think to see anything you need to become part of the silence and the environment. I need to be more observant. I need to feel the breeze and sun on my face, smell the earth and trees and see all that is around me.
Ulanawa, my friend from Crack O Dawn Coffee Club is always taking pictures of frogs and turtles and insects and I asked her where she finds all of these creatures. She takes her time, goes slow....a lesson to learn. Although I can't see myself singing to the deer...sorry Ula.
I saw a snake at Kensington. Wow, that was a great find for me because he was there for only 2 seconds. I look and look in the water for frogs and hear their noise but where are they? I need to get some pointers from Ulanawa.
Walking is like going through your life...running and in a hurry or slowly, missing nothing.

The Birds at Kensington Metropark

My favorite trail at Kensington is to start off on Wildwing, past the "elbow tree" and the shelter, then cut up past the bluebird nesting boxes and then take the Aspen trail. There are several well-placed benches that I love and I have seen so many birds on this particular walk. Last year I saw Indigo Buntings, Chats, Yellow Warblers and this year so far have seen my very favorite the beautiful Bluebird.

Sandhill Crane

"Help! I can't find my other leg!"

Actually it was tucked up under.

Hope it was OK.

" I'm feeling mean today. All this singing is getting on my nerves"

"I'm feeling so low :-( Poor me"

Mr. Bluebird on my shoulder

It's a fact, it's actual...

Song Sparrow

Not singing but cute as ever!

Lake St. Clair Metropark

Mr. & Mrs.

I'll follow you anywhere, honey.

Pond at Nature Center

I have so many pictures to post that I thought I'd finish up these that I took at Lake St. Clair Metropark. It's hard to believe that when I was there about 10 days ago it was so cold and windy. I had on my winter coat, hat , gloves, boots.......today I was hot, hot , hot. I went on a long extended walk (cause I got lost) at Crosswinds Marsh. It was in the 70's and sunny and just a beautiful day. Sure needed the boots though! No one was there except me and some guy fishing. The frogs were out in full force and they had quite a chorus going on. And the Canada Geese were honking up a storm too.

I saw two eagle's nests both occupied by a parent roosting. Too far for a decent picture though. It was a very nice morning.

Was very, very disappointed that our photo shoot at the old Packard plant has been cancelled. No reason was given. Boo! Maybe they were worried we'd get shot at. That area couldn't be any worse...but boo again anyway!