I had to laugh. I usually can catch a view of the Evening Grosbeak at Hartwick Pines State Park in Grayling, MI. It's not too far from our place in Gaylord. I was excited to hear about the irruption and headed up there to go search. No luck.
Come home and I have 7 on my feeder! It was such a delight! They have continued to visit my feeders that last couple weeks. At one time I counted 15 of them. Not sure how long they are sticking around but I enjoy watching their flurry of activity!
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One of my favorite birds to host in my backyard in the summer is the Baltimore Oriole. For the last couple years I have been lucky to have two nesting pairs. Hoping for the same this year!
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Every spring, the Common Mergansers make a pit stop on my little lake in Northern Michigan. This year they didn't disappoint.
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I was so joyful to see the Snowy Owl again this winter! I observed him at a local airport and I'm happy to say that the other birdwatchers present were respectful too and kept their distance. How about you? Have you seen a Snowy Owl this winter?
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It sure is cold in Michigan right now! A couple inches of snow have fallen on the ground and the bird feeders have been crowded all day. What are you seeing today?
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I'm excited for fall migration and the birds that winter brings!
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If you whistle or have some food for them....then you might attract this gregarious bird. I love the Gray Jay!
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Is it just me, or does this Evening Grosbeak look mad at me? Which reminds me, last week at school I had two Canadian geese chase me across campus hissing at me. Seriously - isn't bird lover written all over my face???
(P.S. Chris from Iceland - please leave your blog address in the comments. I lost your site - thank you!!!)
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Didn't realize the Pine Grosbeak could come in three colors - Red, Russet brown, and yellow. The male is the Red one. I do like all three - and they were such tame, relaxed birds to photograph. They are only in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, so this was a treat for me (as we don't see them downstate where I live.) 
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Only in Michigan could we have 2 feet of snow one day and then two days later it's melted, sunny and 65 degrees! I am excited for my spring birds but am sad to see one of my winter friends leave - the Common Redpoll. How about you? Who will you miss?
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I've been watching all your blogs you know. The Snowy Owl envy was definitely getting the best of me. I've been driving all over northern Michigan for the past month in search of this beautiful creature. So I went with the Michigan Audubon on a birding trip to Sault Ste. Marie. I'll have you know I was the first one to spot him......a moment I'll never forget! And yes, there were tears. And then I high-fived my hubby! I was ready to dance like a Sharp-tailed grouse..... Okay, I'm getting carried away now.
How about you - any more Snowy Owl sightings??? I'm heading to your blog now...
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How is your winter birding going so far? Have you seen a snowy owl? I've been over-run with Chickadees but I don't mind....
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So I finally found one of my "lifer" birds - the Eastern Bluebird. I took close to 30 photos chasing him. All terrible. The only half-way decent shot was this one - and you can see that he is snubbing me. That's okay - still exciting!
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Meet my friend, the Blue Heron. And meet his unlucky friend, the fish. 
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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."
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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.
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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?
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