The Best Safari Ever – Part 2

Yesterday I introduced you to some friendly deer I met while walking around the pond at Bay City State Recreation Area.  I was beyond thrilled to be able to get those pictures.  But never fear, I still got a lot of bird pictures too…

This little guy is what is technically known as a LBB (little brown bird).  If any of my birder friends can help me identify this I would be most grateful.

Can it be?  Yes! It’s the Bluebird of happiness!  Back lit and basking in the morning sun.

Brown-Headed Cowbirds.  I think one is trying pick up the other.

A Mute Swan, the common swan found in parks everywhere.

One of my favorites, the Red-Winged Blackbird.

This one was exciting, because it was a new species for me – A Redhead.  I believe this is a migrant that was just passing through.  I do not think they are normally found here.

Mrs. Redhead stretching her wings.

Perhaps my favorite bird of them all, the Cardinal.

Birds on a wire…Another nice look at a Red-Wing.

And further down the wire we find a Tree Swallow.  Why do these birds always seem to be sitting with their butt ends pointed toward me?

And finally, what spring walk would be complete without a Robin?

Thanks for letting me show off my birds.  I hope you enjoyed them!

The Best Safari Ever – part 1

I have been itching to get out and pay Mother Nature a visit, and see if I could capture some of the wildlife that has so recently become active.  I headed out early in the morning to Bay City State Recreation area hoping to catch a glimpse of a duck or red-winged blackbird.  Well, it turned out to be the best, most productive safari yet.  So productive, I have decided to split the results into two posts.

I found a wide variety of birds who seemed to be very eager to pose for me.  But that is not the best part.  I have been trying for over a year to get a good portrait of a particular critter.  Well, as I turned the corner on the trail and looked to the left, I saw…

Yes, the very common yet strangely elusive White Tail Deer.  Actually, with a closer look, I realized it was three deer.

They saw me there, and were wary, but that did not stop them from their grazing.  They seemed to take turns watching me.

Eventually the started to move on, and disappeared behind the bushes as they traveled along the edge of the pond.  I crept after them, hoping to get another glimpse.  Looking further down the trail, I saw the back end of one cross the trail and move into the woods.  Strange, I did not think the three would be that far down yet.  I kept watching and saw another cross, then another, and another, and another.  My three deer were actually five deer.  At least.

As I continued my walk, concentrating on the ducks and red-winged blackbirds (and other avian friends), I kept thinking about the deer, knowing that they must be within a couple hundred yards of me.  Suddenly I looked up and saw them again, crossing back over the trail to the pond side again. 

I watched all five cross, and moved on.  As I went around the pond I saw them, by the edge, feeding.

I am very grateful for these friendly deer.  It was quite a thrill to be that close to so many in the wild, and to be able to get such good pictures. 

I did see my birds, and a lot of them.  I will post those pictures in a day or two.  Thanks for stopping by!

Spring

Springtime in my favorite neighborhood park.  A few shots showing the return of life to the area.

The young leaves are starting to appear on the trees and bushes.

Peek-a-boo!  I seeeee you!  Nothing says Spring like a robin.

I am OUTA HERE!

Robins may be the traditional avian harbinger of Spring, but I love the red-winged blackbird.

Many trees have flowers that are not especially showy, but they are still nice to see.

If you recall, the last batch of pictures I shared from this location showed several inches of fresh snow.  As pretty as that is, I must admit I prefer this type of climate.  Perhaps I am just getting old, but the warmer air suits me much better.

Thanks for visiting.  I am going to try to do a better job at posting in the future.  Thanks for you patience.