John Dingel Park

 Some photographers on facebook have been posting photos taken at John Dingel Park in Ecorse. Since the park is only a few miles from my house, I thought that I would give it a try instead of driving all the way to the marsh. Of course, my lens was totally inadequate for this kind of shoot and again I felt defeated....but here is the best that I got.
The water fowl flock to the areas of the Detroit River that are free of ice so that they can catch fish. It was hard for me to tell what the ducks were.....Mallards, Canada Geese and Mute Swans are all that I am sure of. Lots of Eagles...will post those tomorrow.

 Canada Geese

Mute Swans
At first I thought these were just 3 lumps of snow until I looked at them with my binoculars. They never moved a muscle while I was there...a cold place to nap.

Mallards

Kresge Court at the DIA

DIA

We had a very nice visit to the DIA and with all the art there, the first photo that I edit is a calla lily-like flower growing in planters in the Rivera Court. Lovely light today and I can't wait to get started on editing.

Thanks to Barb, Mary Jo and Jo Ann for going with me.

Feeling bad for all those caught in the blizzard in New England. We never got a flake..the storm went below us. It did seem that they were more prepared than usual...no stranded motorist on the freeways etc.
Is winter almost over?

Inspiration

Today, I am looking for something to inspire me to have a happy day or as people wish you "Have a great day". Had some things to do today that we're frustrating and time consuming.....things that I have put off for too long. Ugh!  I think that I got it all done but have to regroup and recheck. Hoping for a bright spot in the day.

Beautiful

Isn't she beautiful?

We are going to make another attempt to go to the DIA this Weds...weather willing. It's hard to predict this time of year but so far it looks OK. I will miss yoga again :-(

So sick and tired of this dreary weather...I don't mind the cold or the snow but the lack of sunshine really gets to me. Looking for a decent day with new snow to take a jaunt out to Crosswinds Marsh. No snow in the forecast for awhile. 

Hope that everyone is having a nice Sunday....Superbowl next week. I love the commercials and the halftime entertainment but the football controversy has added interest to the game. 

I need to do another tabletop shoot! 

SOTC

I Need Cheering Up!

Cemetery in the Snow

 Many years ago, when I was a young woman, my husband (at the time) had a contract with Huron Township to mow the 5 or 6 cemeteries scattered around the township. This one, located in Willow Metropark, was the biggest. It is secluded so most people don't even know that it is there. We would go there on a summer evening, Joe would mow, I would clip around the stones and the kids would run around and play. It really is a nice location and at one time there was a road that ran by it.
I was sad to see the vandalism of some of the oldest grave stones. Someone tried to repair them and did a terrible job. Disturbing.

 The markers looked nice with a blanket of snow covering the plot.

 These are some of the damaged stones.

 Forgotten

Love this old tree with arms outstretched as if protecting and comforting the graves and those who are in them.

Winter Birds

 The Northern Cardinal isn't exactly a winter bird as they are here all year around but in the midst of the gloom, mist or snow see how they pop. They stand as bright light in an otherwise drab winter season.

 One of my favorite little birds, the Dark-eyed Junco only comes to southeast Michigan in the winter, breeding in northern Canada and Alaska. The Junco above seems to be a male. They are in the sparrow family.

The American Tree Sparrow appears to be frowning....see the spot in the breast as well. This is another bird that is more prevalent in the winter, breeding in Canada. A flock of Tree Sparrows is called a "grove".  Tweedle-eet tweedle-eet

A Lovely Winter Walk

and it ended with a Bluebird!

 At Willow Metropark

 I wanted to drive through Willow to photograph shadows on the snow but then decided that I would slog through the snow to go to the little cemetery that is in the park. There is a story behind that which I will post at another time. It all looked interesting especially the trees.

 At Oakwoods Metropark

 When I first drove into the park, I had an encounter with a red-tailed hawk. In an attempt to get a shot, I chased that darn hawk all over the place but he was always one step (or flight) ahead of me.

 I have already posted the squirrels having fun.

 Saw a few birds such as this Tree Sparrow and the female Downy Woodpecker below.

It was a nice day of walking in the snow and taking photos but the day ended with a chance spotting of a bluebird. When I was driving into the park, I thought that I saw a flock of bluebird so when I drove out...very slowly...I kept my eyes peeled and I spotted this one right on the side of the road. Seeing a bluebird always makes my day!

Walk in the woods...

coming tomorrow. Too tired to post today.

Another gloomy January day! We still have all of February to go and March isn't a happy month either. Rainy but warmer but a hateful day all the way around. Still occupying myself with photo editing....wishing for spring.

Squirrel Antics

 "Who are you and what are you doing in my woods"?

 Believe it or not, this is not the same squirrel. I went to Oakwoods to shoot some birds and the feeder area was packed with squirrels.....it was a squirrel convention! They were so funny.