Friday, May 30, 2008

Canadian Geese Babies




















This was taken last year (with my old camera) at Seney National Wildlife Refuge in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I was in the mood to post this as I am so envious of all the other bird babies I'm seeing on everyone else's site. You can see six babies here and from what I've read they typically lay a clutch of 5-7 eggs. By the way, did you know each individual egg takes a day to lay?? Hmm....doesn't sound fun.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Red-winged Blackbird

















Here is one of my daily "singers" up at the lake.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Blue Jay and the haystack



















My husband put out corn and a haystack at his mom's place in the woods this past weekend hoping to attract deer. No deer, but plenty of Blue Jays enjoyed his corn treat!

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Mystery Ducks!





















The picture is not as clear as I wanted - but can you please help identify these lovely ducks? I've had no luck so far with my Michigan field guide....Thank you!

Monday, May 26, 2008

Time for breakfast

How does green worms sound for breakfast?




















How do you like this view?






















I'm going to keep my eye on you from this tree!







































Aren't I just the cutest thing you've ever seen?

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Black-capped Chickadee Babies


My husband had a dream. Put up 4 birdhouses and hopefully attract at least 1 chickadee family up at our log home. I am happy to say his dream came true! More photos to follow.
(Have a nice and safe Memorial weekend everyone!)

Friday, May 23, 2008

More Rose-breasted Grosbeak



I just can't get enough of the Rose-breasted grosbeak. I feel so lucky when go up north to our log cabin www.logcabininmichigan.blogspot.com - and I see these beautiful birds flying about. The peanut feeder is their favorite.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Mourning Dove Couple




















Here is my Mourning Dove couple. They are great parents. I say this because I was trying to snap pictures of their two babies and they shooed their little cuties into the bushes away from my camera. The couple then perched themselves on the fence to keep a watchful eye on me. Okay, okay - I get the hint. But you two make a nice photo.....

Monday, May 19, 2008

Saturday, May 17, 2008

White-breasted Nuthatch


It seems like the nuthatches up at our cabin are becoming quite used to me. This one buzzed close over my head as I was filling the peanut feeder, and then soon after posed nicely for this photo.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

A contrast in beauty - Swan and the Turkey Vulture


"It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds. "
Aesop, The Jay and the PeacockGreek slave & fable author (620 BC - 560 BC)





Monday, May 12, 2008

Bird pictures from the log cabin

Saturday morning brought me such a wide variety of visitors. These were all taken at our log cabin in northern Michigan. I just love waking up in the morning, hearing all the different birds and getting ready for them to make their appearance. Being by the lake just seems to bring me the best birds....it makes me never want to leave.












Female red-winged blackbird?

















The Blue jay reminding me I need to pick up leftover construction litter around the cabin!

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Sweet Rose-breasted Grosbeak




























This sweet little female grosbeak seemed very unafraid as I was snapping photos of her. In fact, she seemed to be posing as she went from the log post, to the feeder and then to the tree.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Nesting Material





















This busy Robin was gathering nesting material by the lake. It was interesting to watch her pick up a combination of mud and grass. Now if I could just find her nest for some more photo ops...

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Need help with Bird Identification!

Here are some more bird photos from our weekend up at the cabin. I'm trying to identify two of the birds - can you help?


Is this the Caspian Tern?















How about this plump fellow? He kept turning his back on me so it was hard to identify.

















Finally, a fellow I can identify. Here's my Canadian geese friend swimming in our lake.

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Rose-breasted Grosbeak




















This weekend up at the log cabin was probably my best birding days. There were the loons (which I unsuccessfully chased w/ a camera but was treated to their haunting call as they flew away from me), Caspian Tern (I think I will need to call in my bird experts this week to confirm!), Blue Heron and so much more. But the first treat of my weekend was seeing the Rose-breasted Grosbeak. I haven't seen one in over 5 years (back when my dad had a cabin in northern Michigan.) Just a beautiful and curious bird. (And a little hog at my bird feeders I must add!)