Photo of the Week: Blue Grosbeak at the Antenna Farm

blue bird perches on top of short-shrub in field.

When I heard from our local birding email list that Blue Grosbeaks, a large bird similar in size to the Northern Cardinal, had been found near Lake Erie in southeast Michigan, I was on a quest.

I had to find it!

It took me three tries over two weekends, 100 degree plus Farenheit temperatures, and torrential rains, but I finally saw both male and female Blue Grosbeaks earlier this morning at the Antenna Farm in Monroe County.

For me, a life bird (first time seen) at number 274. Continue reading Photo of the Week: Blue Grosbeak at the Antenna Farm

Photo of the Week: My Third Whooping Crane in Michigan in Three Years!

large white bird bends down in the water to feed.

What a treat! Last week, I saw my third Whooping Crane in three years in Michigan.

Spotted with a group of Sandhill Cranes, the Whooping Crane has been seen consistently for the past week at Chelsea, Michigan lake, flying in with the Sandhill Cranes around dusk to forage for food in the shallow lake waters. Continue reading Photo of the Week: My Third Whooping Crane in Michigan in Three Years!

Photo of the Week: Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Rare Bird in Ohio and Michigan

pink-billed brown, gray, and black duck pauses in yard puddle.

What a pleasant surprise as the rare Black-bellied Whistling Duck was spotted recently in our southeast Michigan/northwest Ohio area.

And I managed to see it in Ohio and Michigan in the same week! Continue reading Photo of the Week: Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Rare Bird in Ohio and Michigan