Photo of the Week: Crocuses in Bloom on a Sunny Day

A clump of small cup-shaped purple flowers with orange centers stand out on the ground, spear-like green leaves surround the flowers.

While northern parts of Michigan were hit this weekend with a spring snow storm of six to 10 inches of snow, those of us in southeast Michigan had a weekend of spring rain showers, strong winds up to 60 miles per hour overnight, and bright blue skies, calm breezes, and sunshine this morning. Over the… Continue reading Photo of the Week: Crocuses in Bloom on a Sunny Day

Photo of the Week: Song Sparrow, Sign of Spring

Brown, white, and black sparrow with brown streaks on a white breast pauses at it forages on the green grass. The bird is looking forward, blue sky and tree branches in the blurry background.

Despite our back and forth winter weather in southeast Michigan this month (yesterday, we had snow squalls and “feel-like” temperatures of 9 degrees Farenheit, two days ago we had temperatures in the mid-50’s), signs of spring have arrived.

Spring-flowering purple crocuses are blooming, maple buds have burst, and Song Sparrows have returned to our area.

Continue reading Photo of the Week: Song Sparrow, Sign of Spring

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