Sundial

Here is this week's entry for Monochrome Maniacs and Shadow Shot Sunday, taken in the backyard this morning.

Monochrome Maniacs
Shadow Shot Sunday

More Michigan Birds

Before reformatting the memory card, I went through the pictures I took along the Lake Michigan shore a couple weeks ago. With the help of a bird field guide, I was able to identify a Tennessee warbler that had stopped during its migration. I also saved a few more pictures of the scarlet tanager, plus a couple other birds.

Tennessee Warbler

Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanager

Downy Woodpecker

American Redstart

Skywatch Friday No. 46

Since I don't have a new picture for this week, I'm going back to the archives for a sunset photo from Hawaii.

Sunset, December 30, 2007, Poipu, Kauai

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Ospreys

Yesterday, the local paper featured an article on the return of ospreys to this area. One nest is near a dam on the St. Joe River, and the article gave very specific directions on how to find it. Even though it was overcast, I took my photo gear with me to a dentist appointment today, since the dental office is only a few miles from the dam. I found the nest, but there was no sign of a bird there. Just as I was getting ready to back out of the parking area, an osprey landed on the nest. I scrambled around and went back to set up the tripod. Unfortunately, I couldn't get close enough for very detailed photos, but I was able to catch the osprey standing on the nest, and then flying off. I'm not sure if the bird left behind in the nest is a mate sitting on eggs or an offspring. The paper also mentioned a nearby state park where ospreys can be found, so I'm hoping I can get some closer shots there.

Magnolia and Mr. Toad

A post about nature deficit disorder at Ramblingwoods.com made me think about ways I could help my little buddy, granddaughter Magnolia, to connect with nature. A couple weeks ago, while we were at Lake Michigan for a family reunion, Magnolia and I would walk around the yard to see what we could find. One day, we discovered a toad living in the pool cover enclosure. We named him Mr. Toad. Anytime we were outside after that, we would go out to gently knock on the enclosure and visit Mr. Toad.

See more nature pictures at Rambling Woods.

See more of Magnolia at her blog.

Peonies

A few shots of peonies in the backyard.

Iris

Iris After a Spring Rain

Singing Wren

Since the wrens have come back this spring, I've intended to get some pictures of them. It seems whenever one is close enough, I'm sans camera. Today, I set up a camouflage blind near a dogwood tree where the wrens are nesting in a birdhouse, and waited till I got a clear shot. I also learned that these are house wrens instead of the Carolina wrens I've always assumed them to be.

See more nature pictures at Rambling Woods.

Double Rainbow

For this week's Skywatch Friday, I dug into the archives for this picture taken from Poipu, Kauai on December 31, 2007.

Brown Headed Cowbirds

I caught these male brown headed cowbirds in some kind of ritual on a branch in the backyard.

American Presidents Blog

I have just discovered another blog devoting significant space to none other than our 14th President, Franklin Pierce--the American Presidents Blog. The article about the false story of Pierce becoming a baker back in New Hampshire after his single term in the White House is especially interesting.

Goldfinch

Goldfinch, Berrien County, Michigan

Skull and Shadow

I pulled this picture from the files because I thought it would fit two memes: Monochrome Maniacs and Shadow Shot Sunday

This was taken at Rocky Mountain National Wildlife Refuge, where a collection of bones was on display outside the nature center.

Duet

Brown-headed cowbirds can be pests and will take over the nests of other birds, but they possess a certain beauty. I caught this pair in midsong, and then focused on the male.

Sunrise

I've already posted a sunset picture for this week's SkyWatch Friday, but this sunrise was so striking, I'm posting it now rather than waiting a week.

Sunrise, Benton Harbor, Michigan, May 15, 2009

Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanager

On yesterday's photo expedition up and down the street here along the Lake Michigan shore, I stopped to review some pictures on the camera's LCD, and this beautiful specimen landed on a tree across the street.

See more nature pictures at Rambling Woods.

SkyWatch Friday No. 44

Sunset, Lake Michigan Shore, May 14, 2009

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Bird Bonanza

The street where we are spending our week on Lake Michigan is a haven for birds. All these pictures have been taken the last few days at or within a short walking distance of the rental house.

Magnolia Warbler

White Crowned Sparrow

Rose Breasted Grosbeak

European Starling

Downy Woodpecker Male

Downy Woodpecker Female

Black Throated Blue Warbler Female

American Redstart Male

Save The Marx Brothers Home

179 E. 93rd Street, NYC, where the Marx Brothers spent their formative years, is at risk of being torn down by developers. Please sign the petition to save the building.

For more information, see this article at the New York Times.

Birds on a Wire

A house finch couple captured on a wire on Greenwood Drive, Benton Harbor, Michigan.

Monochrome Maniacs

Trillium in Black and White

See more B&W images at Monochrome Maniacs.