Where the birds are...........

Today came beautiful and sunny. I could not persuade the Mr to go out though, it was cold I do admit. I prefer to go out during the week when not so many others are about so there was that and I didn't sulk too long. I got out the camera's and put out bird seed. Only a few visitors but still they were so pretty I decided to do a post.
Mrs Cardinal came in today after I got pictures yesterday of Mr C.


He sat back in a tree watching from afar.

I got some nice pictures of him yesterday. He seemed awful cold


The Blue Jays came today and enjoyed some snacks




They tell me when they are there because the "scout" lets everyone know the feeders are full. The squirrels have to be moderated or they steal and bury stuff. I see the black one has fleas even after the cold haha.



I love the little birds the best but not many have come around this year. They must be finding enough food all about and so I suppose thats a good thing


The Mourning doves hang around all day, they enjoy a nap in the sunshine. Then groom, then come in to feed.




I missed the Starlings. Such beautiful birds but very "flighty" I only got to picture one of them. Most people don't like them but I do. Raucous and they squabble but they are so beautiful in the sun. The colours are incredible. Cow birds are like that too.

Loved this picture so here it is again

Who else came today.....well the Bunny came last night because I saw the foot prints on the porch so she ate again last night. I hope she has a nest under the pines and I hope I see her babies come Spring.



So far there's been no Possoms visit as they have other years, at least none who have let me see them. I put food out to encourage everyone. Just hope the girls don't meet any skunks that also live close by. I want to see them if they come. I encourage all wild things and will feed all who visit. They are welcome to shelter in the garage..........but please don't spray the Poodles again.






Had to stop taking pictures, someone needed to pee.

Wont go out till Monday now if it's nice so back to watching birds. Much later the blue turned to mackerel skies and was still very pretty and sunny.

The Eagle has landed...................

I said to Gerry "what shall we do today, housework or go out" .........so off we went. We had no real plan but I had wanted to go to Menominee beach out by Gill's Pier the other side of Leland. So.............We started off going out the back way to avoid traffic, a nice sunny day. We always stop by this farm and see if their animals are out. Was surprised to see the farm for sale. I would buy it sight unseen if I could. Now I will worry about the residents, the goats, two donkeys and mini horse and chickens.

The donkeys are so very cute. The road does end up in Suttons Bay so we went down to the harbour. We found another road down by the docks that is actually a wildlife viewing area. How convenient. We will go there again as it looks like come summer it will be interesting. The ducks were not cooperative and swam away, but there was a Swan who certainly didn't object to having his picture taken






We sat and ate a sandwich I got at Cherry bend grocery and the Gull was interested but would not come close. They must scare them off or something. I like them, they are so white. How do they stay so clean?. Anyway we headed off to Lake Leelanau but no water fowl on the river so next to Leland.
We stopped first at Vans Beach (Hall beach) and I found a whole bunch of Blue stones, actually its slag but no matter, Some are beautiful and make nice jewelry.



Next through towards Northport and Gill's Pier Rd. So many places to stop when the weather permits. Now Gerry is home we can go looking for wildflowers in the Spring. I have all my pamplets out and can plan trips. Get back into hiking again as soon as the snow clears.
Meanwhile I wanted to stop at Menominee beach (Gill's Pier) for pictures. Gill's Pier was a small lumber town, long gone now. The Menominee name being a Native American of course and to do with the graveyard we seek.





Well, nothing going on there so we decided to head for Empire. We didn't stop along the way until we reached Narada Lake. I said maybe we could get in at the farm house because the road had too much snow to pull off where we normally go. Well guess what. As we slowed down I saw an eagle on a tree. Hard to see but I spotted it and we sat for about 15 minutes watching him. Can you spot him? Yes, no idea how I did either but I did.


These are better, once spotted could not unsee...........




Then flying above with another eagle and two other big birds.

Anyway we sat for a long time before I got out and went to the back of the house to see if I could get a closer look. The snow was deeper than it looked haha. I made it though.



So that was a thrill for the day but still, on to Empire to look for deer. Saw this lady on the way, she was looking at me like "Can I help you in some way" I thanked her for posing

I finally got him to take the back way into Empire, that made me think that next time I want to check out Bar Lake before the summer comes. Do you see the one laying down?





I remembered on our way back into Leland to get a picture of this farm, I love the silo's


Saw Geese on the wing, everyone seems to be moving around now its sunny and even though its really cold (I didn't want to go out today)
the birds are singing and signs of Spring in the air.


It was a worth while trip this day, and the wild things cooperated for once. I cant wait to go back now. Today we went down to the Boardman to see if there were any ducks about, brrrrr too cold even for me and no ducks.