Photo of the Week: Great Backyard Bird Count at Pointe Mouillee

Mute Swans, Redheads, and American Wigeons gather on the ice and open water of the marsh.

Imagine it’s 22 degrees Farenheit at 9:00am on a winter weekend morning in Michigan.

If you’re like most people, you’re at home, warm, enjoying a late breakfast.

Or maybe you’re sleeping in.

Me?

I’m bundled up in my down winter coat, boots, hat, and mittens on the shores of Lake Erie near the Ohio border. Continue reading Photo of the Week: Great Backyard Bird Count at Pointe Mouillee

Photo of the Week: Great Horned Owl in Winter

brown and white owl perches in the fork of a tree in winter, with clear blue sky in background.

While the coloring of the Great Horned Owl makes it hard to distinguish it from tree trunks and bare branches in the stark winter woods of Michigan, the two feathered ear tufts stand out. What an impressive bird to see! And not a common bird for me. According to my records, the last time I… Continue reading Photo of the Week: Great Horned Owl in Winter

Photo of the Week: Mallard and American Black Duck

Mallard and American Black Duck face to face on a snowy bank next to the river.

Due to the hot water discharge from the Otto E. Eckert Station power plant, Moores Park along the Grand River in Lansing, Michigan is a favorite birdwatching place as waterfowl gather in the warm waters in the deep cold of winter. And that’s where I was this weekend, searching for waterfowl. I wasn’t disappointed, it… Continue reading Photo of the Week: Mallard and American Black Duck