Photo of the Week: Early Morning Riser, Red-winged Blackbird

Black bird with red and yellow epaulets sings loudly as it perches on the bare tree branch.

The sounds of Red-winged Blackbirds filled the marsh in the early morning at Sterling State Park in Monroe, Michigan for the first official weekend of spring in Michigan. Along with blackbirds, you could hear the territorial song of American Robins and the loud calls and squeals of Ring-billed Gulls as they foraged for food in… Continue reading Photo of the Week: Early Morning Riser, Red-winged Blackbird

Photo of the Week: Sandhill Crane Takes a Closer Look

red-crowned bird with long gray curved neck takes a closer look.

This red-crowned Sandhill Crane is one of a group of cranes that overwintered in Michigan at nearby local park where I go birding. I saw it foraging for food near the open water of the lake shoreline. The majestic Sandhill Cranes are an incredible sight to see, as the large gray birds with long neck… Continue reading Photo of the Week: Sandhill Crane Takes a Closer Look

Photo of the Week: Snow Bunting in Winter Plumage

Rust-colored sparrow-sized white bird pauses as it forages on the group.

While seeing Snow Buntings in southeast Michigan isn’t uncommon in winter, seeing one relatively close by before it flies off with a flock of dozens of birds is unusual.

Which is why I was excited to find this Snow Bunting foraging for food with several Song Sparrows on a snow-covered grassy ridge.

The small group seemed oblivious to my vehicle, as I stopped in the parking lot to take several photos near the frozen marsh off the Detroit River. Continue reading Photo of the Week: Snow Bunting in Winter Plumage