Photo of the Week: Icy Spring Wonderland

ice encases the buds and stems of the Potentilla bush.

It wasn’t the normal pitter-patter of spring rain that woke me up this morning. Rather it was a crackling sound, the sound of freezing rain falling against the bedroom window. When I looked outside, I saw the rain had encased the buds, stems, and everything else in a clear, shimmering sheet of ice. And while… Continue reading Photo of the Week: Icy Spring Wonderland

Photo of the Week: Wood Ducks are Back!

brightly colored white, red, and green male Wood Duck and his rather drab mate in her brownish plumage

You know spring has returned to southeast Michigan when you see the unmistakable Wood Ducks in the ponds of flooded harvested corn fields.

Wood Ducks are one of the first migrating waterfowl to return to southeast Michigan in late winter and early spring.

And there’s no way anyone can mistake the brilliant colors of the male Wood Duck with other waterfowl. Continue reading Photo of the Week: Wood Ducks are Back!