Under Glass

 So far, I think that this winter may go down as the gloomiest winter on record. So depressing :-(
When my solar pole light is on half of the day that is saying something. My son and his family are in sunny California right now. My Grandson is graduating from boot camp USMC. I bet they are happy and the sun is showing brightly.

Elizabeth Park

2015

Hibiscus

Under Construction

 The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory (that's a mouthful) is undergoing a much needed major structural restoration. I was told that it will be finished in April. I had heard that they were given money (millions) for the project and although I hate to see things so torn up it will be worth it in the end. I hope that they do something with the fern room as well.

 The showroom, which is under the largest dome, is also undergoing  a change. The displays in this room are changed out seasonally and they are setting up for the holidays which will feature Poinsettias. After that it will be Cyclamens....my favorite. I love this room where I can sit and enjoy the warmth and color when it is so dank and dreary outside.

Putting your back into it.....

Hot Pink Christmas Cactus

 Every year when this Christmas Cactus blooms, I post pictures and usually explain how I take care of it, move it here and move it there and then sit back and admire the results. This poor plant needs repotted but I am afraid that I will kill it if I do.....it's over 24 years old. I bought it when I still lived in Gibraltar, a little baby in a 4 inch pot. Got it at Frank's Nursery. For about a month, it gives me so much pleasure...it's a beauty!

Red Bridge

Trying to make the most of a dreary day on Belle Isle.

Lens Fog

Cold outside, warm and humid inside results in my lens fogging over. Should I have backed in?

Woodstork

I took this picture a few years ago and was so thrilled to see a Woodstork let alone get a photo. It was really far off and my lens wasn't up to the capture but I love the way this bird looks...so awkward and prehistoric looking. Shot it off the causeway at Huntington Beach State Park. I couldn't believe all the activity on this particular morning that I was there. I don't know why, but I've never seen it since. It may have been spring migration. He's so cool, isn't he?

It's Winter

Omg! Is it ever cold. Want to get out to shoot some pics....will have to bundle up. Rain and snow for tomorrow. It feels like January and my lawn is being smothered in leaves. The "big oak" hasn't begun to fall though...thank God for Bill and his brother!

All the usual suspects.....

 I think that these are the same birds that I photographed last month. Tufted Titmouse above.
Below a White Breasted Nuthatch and finally below another Titmouse (or the same one). No sign of any woodpeckers this time. I want to go out to the park when no one is out there......maybe in the snow.

Little Piggy

I had to keep chasing this guy away because he was taking all the seeds (storing them in his cheek pouches). I wanted to get bird photos but this fellow would sneak back and wow, was he fast. You can see in this picture that his cheeks are starting to puff out. I love nature.

Happy Camping

 The campground was deserted, although I think that fall is a great time to camp especially if you have an RV. This used to be one of my favorite spots at Lower Huron until they closed the area to campers only. Lot of birds there and the river runs behind it.
Well, we couldn't believe that we had snow this morning! Pretty early in the year for snow and makes us all wonder what winter has to bring. The snow lay on roofs and cars but not grassy areas. Snow eventually changed to sleet and now it is a misty rain. We haven't seen the sun for weeks! Many trees still have their leaves. Remembering this beautiful day at the park from last month.

Gobble Gobble

I guess that these turkeys know that they have nothing to fear as long as they stay in the park boundaries. My sister-in-law tells me that wild turkey doesn't taste very good anyway. We enjoyed hanging out with them and they just ignored us. Loved being out in the woods with all the birds, deer, squirrels and little chipmunks. Will try to get some snow pictures out there this winter.

November Kensington Metropark

October, Lower Huron Metropark

Feeding the Birds.....

......with Barb and Mary Jo

 Our bird feeding adventure at Kensington Metropark.....the girls had them eating right out of their hand. Lots of fun in a beautiful park!

 This little Black-capped Chickadee really took a liking to Mary Jo

 What say little birdie....chick a dee dee dee

 Tufted Titmouse looking over the menu

Friendly little song bird

Just a Glimpse

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Bluebirds

Hey you turkeys....

......about 15 days so make yourself scarce. You are all too friendly.

Crack O' Dawn November

 Again this year, I drove right by the park entrance because it was too dark to see where I was. Did the same thing last November. We had a respectable group of 15 for this month and it was a beautiful walking morning......of course we had to wait for the sun to come out before we left but that worked out OK because there were plenty of donuts to finish up.

 In front of the door to the nature center, I found this dead bird. Paul (park interpreter) went out to get the body and he said that it was a Swamp Sparrow and must have flew into the glass and broke his neck. Later, Bob said that the poor sparrow was now in the fridge......ewwww!

 So glad that our old friends, Barb and Paul, came all the way from Finley to see us. They moved over a year ago. So good to see them again.

 Here are Linda, Pat (founding member) and Mary Lou having a chat...... Linda is telling a tale...lol

 Bob, Rita and Veronica. We will really miss Rita as she just announced that she is becoming a snowbird and will spend the winters in Arizona. See you in May.

 The group stopping by to say good morning to Luc (resident Bald Eagle)

Next month we meet on the second Saturday of the month.....December 8th, and we also start our winter hours of 8 am.