Meet my friend

Meet my friend, the Blue Heron. And meet his unlucky friend, the fish.

What I do for Love

I love my Loons. Anytime I get to see them is a miraculous and heartwarming moment for me. On the lake adjacent to ours, their nesting is usually successful. I headed out early this morning on my kayak in search of the newly hatched baby. Hubby scanned the lake with his binoculars and they weren't near the boat launch - I was going to have to kayak across 300 acres to find them.

I should my mention my allergies were bad. I had put eyedrops in one of my eyes and for some reason the sun was scorching and blinding that eye. Still, I paddled on.

A boat cruised by (violating the no wake rule before 11:00 am) and sent my kayak rolling as I desperately hung on to my camera and silently cursed that boater. No loons yet.

I'm halfway across the lake and all of a sudden I feel nauseous. Now I'm blind,tired and sick! Still I paddled on. No sounds of the Loons yet.

I make it all the way to the end of the lake, constantly scanning the shore - no Loons and I feel like I have to throw up. Another cruising boat (VIOLATOR!) goes by and I am ready to shake my fist at the sky. I decide to paddle back, today was not my day.

Halfway back across the lake, I stop because I think I'm going to be sick. And then all of a sudden, this welcome sight pops 2 feet in front of my kayak.



It's the mama Loon. The lighting was not good for me to get this shot of her, but I was so happy to see her. The father and baby were no where in sight, but it didn't matter. This was good enough.



I sat still in my kayak and watched her as she peered into the water looking at fish. I was still blind and nauseous but was able to tough it out.


I started paddling the rest of the way back and she was headed off her own way. I was happy. (Sick, nauseous, tired and thinking of ways I could ticket those boaters...but still happy.)


I get back to shore where hubby is waiting for me. The first thing he says is "As soon as you left, the father and baby swam by." "Of course," I said, "of course."

Tree Swallow Chicks

My babies have hatched! I'm not ashamed to say that I almost had tears of joy in my eyes as I saw these little heads popping out the house.





Here's a closer peek - isn't his face sweet?





And here's mama (or papa) coming to feed them. Nature is miraculous.

2 New Friends

I have two new friends! Would you like to meet them?


First is Mrs. Tree Swallow who is a welcome occupany in one of our bird houses. She's definitely the most calmest nesting bird I've ever witnessed.



2nd friend is the yellow warbler. First time I've seen one! Hopefully not the last.


So, have you made any new bird friends this summer?

Grosbeak Madness

The Rose-breasted Grosbeaks have returned to northern Michigan and are regular visitors to the feeder. I should mention that they are there ALL DAY! I don't mind of course. I love them. Even though I will now need to pick up another job to be able to feed them...ha,ha!







The sweet female...








Here's a juvenile male Rose-breasted Grosbeak. He's still cute even with those spotty feathers.

Not the best looking chickadees

To be fair, the rain this morning didn't help but my Chickadees are looking rough. I submit the following as evidence:

Can somebody say helmet head??




I can't explain this. I'm not even sure I want to.....

Hubby's Photo

Yes, I've brainwashed my husband. Not only does he identify birds, he now photographs them. Welcome to my bird world honey! (And nice shot of the red-bellied!)