A few days worth............

Today is Thursday, I think......we went out a couple of times but I never got around to sharing my "adventures". I will catch up here with less talk and more pictures. I was excited to get some good pictures of some Water Snakes. Northern Water Snakes are harmless to people, one I saw was quite thick in girth and I had initially though it was rubber so bent to look and no it was a snake. Didn't move so I thought maybe dead so I leaned in for a better look. He must have been sleeping because he slithered off really quickly. Looking around I saw more sunning themselves or swimming. Sorry Liz.................






there are two more residents that I want to get pictures of, The Hognose who is a tough little coward, he puffs up like a Cobra but if that doesn't work he rolls over and plays dead.......then the beautiful Blue Racer. Never seen either of those. I saw Milk snakes ages ago but have not got a picture yet so I would like that too. However, on that day we were at Crystal Lake before going to Esch Rd and the Otter creek.
Going through the woods we saw a Rose breasted Grosbeak and his mate






Such a joy to see those beautiful birds. I take hundreds of pictures when we are out, some turn out good most do not but are a record of our days out. That day was spent around Crystal Lake and Frankfurt, the flooding is bad out that way so we didn't go along River Rd but went back via Empire.









We spend one day going for a walk down by the Boardman River just to get out, bird watch and see what was out and about, need to stretch our legs when we can. Then another day we went down to Boardman Lake tosee if the Swans had their babies, they have 2.







This is at the nature center, on the Boardman,











I think this is enough for today, but I will do another one for yesterdays trip........I love Northern Michigan, so much to see and do.

Birding in Springtime............

I got fed up with writing, as I am really just talking to myself haha. Anyway we did manage to get out a few times although nothing much different. Same ol'places. It's warmed up a bit and the leaves are popping after a few days of rain. We went back to see the Geese and their family, they've grown a bit. I have taken an interest in birds. I put out an Oriel feeder. I couldn't believe my eyes when one showed up the very next day.



What a treat, several came over the next few days and I was thrilled. I have no idea why I have never seen them in town. Then low and behold a Rose Breasted grosbeak I have never seen one of those in town either. That only came twice but I did get a picture.








So with renewed interest, I wondered who else would show up. A Catbird. Never seen one before. So another new to my garden. I have since bought some new feeders. I hope that brings in more.





Meanwhile I have taken a few pictures around an about. A Phoebe we saw by Marada Lake but mostly around the garden





American Goldfinch, BlueJays, Cardinal's, White Crested Sparrows, Grackles, Mourning Doves and even the Crow comes to visit. The lady Cardinal took a bath with the Sparrow, she seemed to be itchy.







I will do another post about the garden and our last day out, but I wanted to do this one about the birds I have been seeing. The Phoebe and Trumpeter Swan, a Redwing Blackbird and I even saw the Grackle in her nest, I heard the babies. I hope they don't fall in the lake.




Maybe I should put a name under each bird but I know who they are.............