Sunday, April 8, 2012

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.

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

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

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

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One of my favorites, the Red-Winged Blackbird.

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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.

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Mrs. Redhead stretching her wings.

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Perhaps my favorite bird of them all, the Cardinal.

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

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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?

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

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

Saturday, April 7, 2012

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…

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

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

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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. 

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

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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!

Sunday, April 1, 2012

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.

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

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I am OUTA HERE!

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

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

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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.