Photo of the Week: Hiking the Trails at Matthaei Botanical Gardens

Early morning view of Willow Pond at Matthaei Botanical Gardens. The blue water of the pond is edged with green-leafed shrubs tall deciduous green-leaved trees in the background.

An early summer morning, with clear blue skies, and temperatures in the mid-sixties. What better time to hike the trails at Matthaei Botanical Gardens?

Off I went this morning to enjoy the quiet solitude of an early morning hike to see birds and catch late summer flowers in bloom. Continue reading Photo of the Week: Hiking the Trails at Matthaei Botanical Gardens

Photo of the Week: Woodcock at Oakwoods Metro Park

Woodcock family at Oakwoods MetroPark

“Stop! Back up the car a few feet. Look to the right, at three o’clock.

A few feet in front of that maple sapling, on the ground. There’s a small mass of brown color. See it?”

Yes, I saw it. I pulled out my binoculars to take a closer look. And there they were! Continue reading Photo of the Week: Woodcock at Oakwoods Metro Park

Photo of the Week: The Biggest Week of American Birding 2016

Bay-breasted Warbler

With close to 70 people packed six deep on the boardwalk, peering closely into the woods about 20 feet in front of them, you’d wonder what could hold the attention of so many people.

Especially when you discover everyone has braved 10-20 mile per hour cold winds out of the north and west off Lake Erie, along with snow showers in mid-May, to view a brightly-colored tiny animal that could easily fit into the palm of your hand. Continue reading Photo of the Week: The Biggest Week of American Birding 2016