Lower Huron Favorite Spots

 I visited my favorite "autumn" areas of Lower Huron Metropark (I texted you, Barb. Where were you?) There is one picnic area near the river where the ice skating ponds are in the winter. The trees are beautiful there...all year around. Then it was on the walk a bit of the bike/hike trail. By that time, I was too tired to walk the bridge area....will catch it in the winter. I am dismayed that fall is done and the color is fading ...everything is shades of brown and gray...ugh!
Catch the black and white challenge on my facebook page. A lot of fun.

Christmas Cactus

 Every year my Christmas Cactus amazes me and I post pictures on my blog. As soon as I bring the plant inside (it has spent the summer on my front porch) it starts setting buds. I don't know how to keep it from blooming and holding off until Christmas. I suppose I could put it in a dark corner but I love seeing it now. Love the color!

So Sorry Mary Ann

Thinking of you

Rainy Morning on the Trail

At Kensington

It was a rainy and dreary walk but I enjoyed it....had to put my camera in plastic. I was surprised at how nice my photos came out. Had a whole flock of Titmice following me on the trail (more photos to come). I think that I hit the last of the color. Now, fall is done and snow will be on the way soon. I saw that they had snow in Columbia, SC! Not a flake for us yet. Funny that I didn't see any deer on my last two walks...they must have heard the gunfire too.

PS: hope that the wolf kill bill doesn't pass in the state of Michigan :-(

Love the Tamarack trees in the background

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Little Tufted Titmice

Love this hit if color...also the trees far in the background

Yes, I took the shortcut through the swamp

Chipmunk....or, Alvin

 When I see a chipmunk, I always think that it is Alvin ;-)

They are everywhere at Kensington and I'm sure they thrive there because of everyone feeding the birds. This guy did a good job of keeping all the birds away so he could get his fair share. They are adorable and maybe a few might be named Fred or Gert.

Train Car Graffiti

My only questions are: who are the people that did this art work, where do they live and what does it all mean?

White-Breasted Nuthatch

White-breasted

  I love the little nuthatch who is usually found in a group of chickadees and titmice. He is the acrobat of the local bird population. The Nuthatch gathers seeds and nuts and jams them into the bark of trees and then hammers or "hatches" them open with his bill. A groups is called a "jar" and and their vocal text (not a song) is yank yank.

 Female

 Male

 Often seen walking down a tree....as above

Red- Breasted Nuthatch that I saw last December in Kansas