Goldfinches Galore

I don't know where all my Goldfinches have come from but I sure an enjoying them. I've never had so many before.

After a week solid of cold, cloudy, rainy weather we finally had a beautiful day today!

The sun was perfect for photographing these beauties.

I spotted a hawk

I went up to the gas station this morning on a donut run. As I was pulling out I spotted this hawk (red tailed??). I tried to get a photo of him but I was facing the sun and I couldn't get a very good shot of him. But it was still neat just the same. He let me watch him for about 5 minutes then he flew away. I'm assuming he was looking for breakfast.

WANTED....

Dear Friends and Family.... Our local nature center (Sarett Nature Center) is planning a fund raiser on Saturday Nov.21st. They are having a used "nature" book sale and are looking for donations. Being the book worm and nature lover that I am I thought this was a wonderful idea. So I am asking for donations of nature books that you might have laying around that you no longer want. I know I have quite a few myself. If you have any books you might like to donate I will personally take them to Sarett. The books can be about anything such as birds, gardening, travel, animals, astrology, recycling, etc, etc...... Let me know if you'd like to unload some books, this is a great cause. Thanks so much!

Senior Photos Take One

Senior year for Jordan means senior photos. We are attempting to take the photos ourselves. We plan on having many photo shoots and here are the results of our first shoot. I took Jordan over to my Dad's sunflower field and tried to be creative. We have plans to take photos of her in her drum major uniform, with her oboe, at the beach, at Fernwood (botanical garden), in her letter jacket, etc, etc. I think the first ones turned out pretty good, hopefully we will keep improving and get some awesome photos. I'll post more shoots as time goes on. If you like a particular photo please say so. Thanks.

WHOSE THE LEADER OF THE BAND??!!

J*O*R*D*A*N

(photos from band camp 09)

Summer Photos

Now that we are into our last few weeks of summer I have been trying to get outside with my camera a little more to capture of some of it before it's gone. I chased this butterfly around yesterday.

This side view was my favorite. Click on this photo to enlarge. His body is magnificent.

And I don't know how much longer we will be able to enjoy our hummingbirds before they head south. I love my hummingbirds!

Sunflower Field

My Dad did something new this year. In the apple orchard on their property is a small clearing where a few rows of trees have been removed. In the spring Dad tilled up the soil and then threw sunflowers all over it. He never watered it, never weeded it... just let nature takes its course. And look at the outcome! It is beautiful! And is it ever buzzing with bees. When the sunflowers mature I bet it will be a favorite place of birds too. I hope he makes this an annual thing.

Goodbye Little Ones....

I just happened to walk outside this morning at the exact moment the baby wrens were fledging. I ran inside and grabbed my camera. Momma was in a nearby tree calling them. I watched three of them fly away. Soooooo cute! It only took about 10 minutes.

Come on Little One, don't be afraid.

Oh, how sweet!

"Where is my Momma?"

Fly away Little One... Be safe!

Baby Wren

My poor birdies have been neglected lately, same thing with my blog. I stopped feeding my birds for a few months when the bluebirds showed up. I was trying to keep the bluebirds safe and undisturbed so I figured not feeding the other birds would help. Sooooo, now the bluebirds are gone and I am REALLY missing my regular birds. For the last few weeks I've been trying to entice them back and slowly but surely they are returning. My goldfinches, chickadees, nuthatches, blue jays, and titmice are here. I'm still waiting for my beloved woodpeckers.

And I still do have one nesting bird in the back yard. A precious little wren. The photo above shows one of the babies peeking out into the world. I'm betting they will be fledging any day. This little guy looked so tempted to jump out. He'd stick his whole body out but then he'd get scared and dart back in.

Summer is winding down and we are looking forward to school, marching season, and all the wonderful things that fall holds. Yesterday Jordan was working on college applications and essays. Craig, Jordan and I will be making visits to U of M and Ferris State in the next few weeks. This will be an exciting year for her and a hard one for Mom! Soon Jordan will be the one fledging!

On vacation

We are up north near Silver Lake camping this week (the campground has wi-fi). Craig brought Jordan, Ian and I up last night and set up the trailer for us. He had to work the next 2 days so he'll be joining us again Thursday night. Caleb and his friends showed up this afternoon but headed right over to the dunes with the dunebuggy. And even more friends and relatives are joining us on the weekend.

The weather is perfect for camping! Warm during the day and cool at night. Today we went on the Mac Woods Dune ride, and then Jordan and Ian went horse back riding. Tomorrow the kids are going to Michigan Adventure (an amusement park) and I'm hitting the antique stores. Already I'm feeling relaxed. I sooooo needed this little vacation.

On the weekend most everyone will be spending the majority of time in the dunes. I'll join them from time to time but my thing will be relaxing by the fire, visiting road side farmer stands, cooking yummy things, playing with my photography, walking on the nature trails, etc, etc.

It's going to be a great week!

The best season yet

We took Jordan to band camp Sunday evening. I'm excited for another awesome marching season but I'm also a little sad that this is Jordan's senior year which means it's the last marching season ever. Of all of Jordan's activities and organizations I think marching season is my favorite.

Craig's been going up to band camp each morning and helping with breakfast. I'm spending the night there on Thursday as a room chaperone. This year is going to fly by so we want to relish it as much as possible.

More to follow on marching season......

Hummingbirds

I took my camera over to my parents yesterday to photograph my Dad's hummingbirds. It is amazing how many hummingbirds he has at his feeders. At least 15 or 20 or constantly buzzing around.

These were my best shots.

Click on the photos to enlarge and check out the detail on these little beauties.