Friday, April 4, 2014
Took some time in the rain and fog to visit Maybury State Park in Northville.
Because I was wearing binoculars (in the end not a smart choice for watching nature in a dense fog) a couple of people stopped to report sightings of Pileated Woodpeckers in the wooded valley to the east of the paved trail.
Sure enough, a quarter mile after the last woman reported hearing woodpeckers, spotted the distinct large bodied bird with a teradactl-like head against the mist.
The bird moved from one dead trunk to another, but didn't make an effort to chip at the wood, though it appeared to carefully dodge behind the trunk away from my movement path until I waited still and silently until it sidled back into sight.
Not 20 feet from the original, I spotted another closer to the ground.
Both engaged in rather odd behavior, landing on bushes less than 3-feet tall, possibly because the mist made them feel more secure from predators.
My guess is I found a mating pair of woodpeckers, possibly seeking out a homestead for a new family.
Friday, April 4, 2014
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
April 2, 2014
Winter has broken.
Took a trip to Lake Erie Marsh Metropark near Gibraltar to see what might be migrating through.
Spotted a cormorant skimming the lake shore side, several gulls resting on the water, and some Canada Geese flying the north south route along the shore.
Went to the site where most birders camp near the boat launch to see if there was any evidence of the raptor migration along the shoreline.
Nothing moving in the air, but there was a pattern atop a far tree between the nature center and boat launch that rated a look. Speculated it was a resting hawk, except it appeared to have a white breast and head.
Walking along the paths west of the nature center, I found an overlook back into the marsh.
Back behind a screen of branches, I spotted an Osprey sitting at the top of the tree surveying the marsh.
Winter has broken.
Took a trip to Lake Erie Marsh Metropark near Gibraltar to see what might be migrating through.
Spotted a cormorant skimming the lake shore side, several gulls resting on the water, and some Canada Geese flying the north south route along the shore.
Went to the site where most birders camp near the boat launch to see if there was any evidence of the raptor migration along the shoreline.
Nothing moving in the air, but there was a pattern atop a far tree between the nature center and boat launch that rated a look. Speculated it was a resting hawk, except it appeared to have a white breast and head.
Walking along the paths west of the nature center, I found an overlook back into the marsh.
Back behind a screen of branches, I spotted an Osprey sitting at the top of the tree surveying the marsh.
Crosswinds Marsh is shrinking.
I'm used to winter water levels on dammed ponds. Those who operate dams lower the water levels in a containment area to sudden inflows of precipitation expected during the colder months of the year. It protects the structure from suffering a breach and helps control the water levels in flows downstream from a containment area.
Crosswinds Marsh had all the indications that its water level was lowered when I visited Monday. Reeds abutted mud flats, and the posts on walkways which traverse the ponds showed at least at two foot gap between the dark high water mark and the existing level.
Sometimes normal for a Michigan November 19 on a controlled containment pond, except Crosswinds doesn't have a mechanism for lowering water levels installed in its dam.
It's meant to be a permanent wetland which replaced wetlands consumed by nearby airport runway expansion more than 10 years ago. The rule at that time was every acre of virgin wetland which is filled in for construction purposes had to be replaced with two acres of "new" wetland.
Crosswinds features a horse trail which winds around the outside of the marsh for more than five miles. The trail at the outer reaches is dry because it runs along the dam created to contain the water in the wetland. The outlet is closed with a structure which allows water to flow over the edge to maintain the levels within the confines of the outer dams.
Usually, water trickles over the top into a marl bed which filters out silt and allows relatively clean water to flow toward Lake Erie to the southeast. Monday the top looked like a narrow walkway, water far below the top level.
I'm used to winter water levels on dammed ponds. Those who operate dams lower the water levels in a containment area to sudden inflows of precipitation expected during the colder months of the year. It protects the structure from suffering a breach and helps control the water levels in flows downstream from a containment area.
Crosswinds Marsh had all the indications that its water level was lowered when I visited Monday. Reeds abutted mud flats, and the posts on walkways which traverse the ponds showed at least at two foot gap between the dark high water mark and the existing level.
Sometimes normal for a Michigan November 19 on a controlled containment pond, except Crosswinds doesn't have a mechanism for lowering water levels installed in its dam.
It's meant to be a permanent wetland which replaced wetlands consumed by nearby airport runway expansion more than 10 years ago. The rule at that time was every acre of virgin wetland which is filled in for construction purposes had to be replaced with two acres of "new" wetland.
Crosswinds features a horse trail which winds around the outside of the marsh for more than five miles. The trail at the outer reaches is dry because it runs along the dam created to contain the water in the wetland. The outlet is closed with a structure which allows water to flow over the edge to maintain the levels within the confines of the outer dams.
Usually, water trickles over the top into a marl bed which filters out silt and allows relatively clean water to flow toward Lake Erie to the southeast. Monday the top looked like a narrow walkway, water far below the top level.
April 1, 2014
Spent the late morning and early afternoon at Crosswinds Marsh in Sumpter Township.
I spotted six or eight scooting about over open water amid the melting ice sheets, and another six on the water.
The six on the water looked like three mating couples.
Later, made my way toward the north end of open water and spotted a bald eagle moving behind the branches which normally screen it from view when the foliage arrives later in the spring. It was on the nest surrounded by the waterway and marshland at the north end of the park.
Also found gulls and what is now the permanent Canada Geese flock.
The mute swan pests were gone.
Spent the late morning and early afternoon at Crosswinds Marsh in Sumpter Township.
I spotted six or eight scooting about over open water amid the melting ice sheets, and another six on the water.
The six on the water looked like three mating couples.
Later, made my way toward the north end of open water and spotted a bald eagle moving behind the branches which normally screen it from view when the foliage arrives later in the spring. It was on the nest surrounded by the waterway and marshland at the north end of the park.
Also found gulls and what is now the permanent Canada Geese flock.
The mute swan pests were gone.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Crosswinds Marsh, October 29, 2010
Visited the wetland in mid-morning on a 43-degree day. Wind was nippy out of the north, and apparently kept the birds close to the ground and on the water. Weren't even many song birds flitting about in the cold wind.
I walked the Bald Eagle trail, which circles the main pond for more than 3-miles, inspired in part by the distinct trumpeting of what I thought were Sandhill Cranes off to the west. Couldn't get a visual confirmation of the cranes, but recognized the call from the way it echoed across the 1/2 mile of water and resonated as it hit the woods. I thought it odd the cranes which dwelt in Michigan would still be there until I considered that those I heard could have been moving through the area from the arctic to warmer climates for the winter.
The pond was definitely set up for a stop over, with hundreds of Canada Geese, and gulls on the water. Except for a few mating pairs and single stragglers scattered here and there, the ducks were gone. In early to late spring, there were several hundred on the water at that time of the day.
Checked for the Eagles, but saw no evidence.
Interestingly, while traversing the town of Belleville on my way home, Crosswinds Marsh, spotted a Bald Eagle cruising the shoreline of the lake as I neared the bridge. Doubt the other drivers caught at the light, many chatting on their cells, noticed the distinguished visitor.
I had to wonder if one of the Crosswinds eagles had ventured to another body of water in search of food.
Did come across some unexpected visitors, a couple of older pups scrounging in the weeds and muck at the edge of the water. They were obviously familiar with humans, as they didn't run when I approached, but stayed at their business. I hoped they were simply exploring the edge of their range from one of the nearby farms, as opposed to being abandoned in the marsh.
What caught my attention was an odd bird call, from what I thought was a mound of grass, until I realized there were two swans floating off shore not many yards from the dogs. As there seemed to be 40 or more swans on the pond when I usually spotted fewer than 10 on a summer day, I may have spotted some migrating tundra swans stopping by for a rest.
The day in nature was refreshing, not too polluted with humans, until the drive home in stop and go traffic.
I walked the Bald Eagle trail, which circles the main pond for more than 3-miles, inspired in part by the distinct trumpeting of what I thought were Sandhill Cranes off to the west. Couldn't get a visual confirmation of the cranes, but recognized the call from the way it echoed across the 1/2 mile of water and resonated as it hit the woods. I thought it odd the cranes which dwelt in Michigan would still be there until I considered that those I heard could have been moving through the area from the arctic to warmer climates for the winter.
The pond was definitely set up for a stop over, with hundreds of Canada Geese, and gulls on the water. Except for a few mating pairs and single stragglers scattered here and there, the ducks were gone. In early to late spring, there were several hundred on the water at that time of the day.
Checked for the Eagles, but saw no evidence.
Interestingly, while traversing the town of Belleville on my way home, Crosswinds Marsh, spotted a Bald Eagle cruising the shoreline of the lake as I neared the bridge. Doubt the other drivers caught at the light, many chatting on their cells, noticed the distinguished visitor.
I had to wonder if one of the Crosswinds eagles had ventured to another body of water in search of food.
Did come across some unexpected visitors, a couple of older pups scrounging in the weeds and muck at the edge of the water. They were obviously familiar with humans, as they didn't run when I approached, but stayed at their business. I hoped they were simply exploring the edge of their range from one of the nearby farms, as opposed to being abandoned in the marsh.
What caught my attention was an odd bird call, from what I thought was a mound of grass, until I realized there were two swans floating off shore not many yards from the dogs. As there seemed to be 40 or more swans on the pond when I usually spotted fewer than 10 on a summer day, I may have spotted some migrating tundra swans stopping by for a rest.
The day in nature was refreshing, not too polluted with humans, until the drive home in stop and go traffic.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Kensignton Metropark, October 13, 2010
Spent the afternoon wandering on the wooded side of the nature center.
Colors were rich and varied as the maples and oaks started showing the slowing of sap to their extremities.
Was a little disturbed along the deer run trail as the gravel used to make the path created too much noise for my desires. Was too much for the red and fox squirrels, who I could hear chirping and barking in trees along the path. Had a better time at quiet where the leaves began covering the path, muting the grinding of the cinders against each other beneath my feet.
Then, had to wonder whether the walk would be enjoyable if someone didn't forge a path ahead of time, even if paved with cinders.
Wondered about one person I passed, sitting on a bench at a trail intersection staring into space with a hand extended, until I saw a finch settle on the hand to feed.
Don't really know if this is an engagement with nature, as I believe any bird secure enough to approach the smell of a human to feed has been overly domesticated by the presence of humans.
But, then, to each his own.
Deer were under cover, perhaps because starting at 1 p.m. was long after many have tread the trails and startled the foragers back into the deeper cover.
Didn't appreciate running across some plastic wrap, foil, and tissues crumpled along the path. Didn't lend itself to "out in the wilderness alone" knowing there were still pigs around who tossed aside candy bar wrappers and their snotty tissues as they "enjoyed" nature.
Made sure I carried more out of the park and into the trash than I took with me (or worse left behind).
Birds seemed to be pretty active, but that may be because more of the cover they enjoy in deep spring and summer was on the ground.
Knew it was time to leave when I approached another trail, and found another standing statue still with hand extended waiting for birds to perch.
Cute, but I'd rather see them in their own activities instead of the human induced ones.
Colors were rich and varied as the maples and oaks started showing the slowing of sap to their extremities.
Was a little disturbed along the deer run trail as the gravel used to make the path created too much noise for my desires. Was too much for the red and fox squirrels, who I could hear chirping and barking in trees along the path. Had a better time at quiet where the leaves began covering the path, muting the grinding of the cinders against each other beneath my feet.
Then, had to wonder whether the walk would be enjoyable if someone didn't forge a path ahead of time, even if paved with cinders.
Wondered about one person I passed, sitting on a bench at a trail intersection staring into space with a hand extended, until I saw a finch settle on the hand to feed.
Don't really know if this is an engagement with nature, as I believe any bird secure enough to approach the smell of a human to feed has been overly domesticated by the presence of humans.
But, then, to each his own.
Deer were under cover, perhaps because starting at 1 p.m. was long after many have tread the trails and startled the foragers back into the deeper cover.
Didn't appreciate running across some plastic wrap, foil, and tissues crumpled along the path. Didn't lend itself to "out in the wilderness alone" knowing there were still pigs around who tossed aside candy bar wrappers and their snotty tissues as they "enjoyed" nature.
Made sure I carried more out of the park and into the trash than I took with me (or worse left behind).
Birds seemed to be pretty active, but that may be because more of the cover they enjoy in deep spring and summer was on the ground.
Knew it was time to leave when I approached another trail, and found another standing statue still with hand extended waiting for birds to perch.
Cute, but I'd rather see them in their own activities instead of the human induced ones.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Crosswinds Marsh, May 20, 2010
It has been more than a month since I'd visited the Marsh, looking for my Eagles.
Checking the south end of the Marsh, I couldn't confirm that the horned owl remained on the abandoned eagle's nest. Part of the reason may have been Monday's checkup with the eye doctor, who could get me a new prescription for glasses, but couldn't sharpen the sight as I would have liked because cataracts were robbing me of lens area, and thus a sharp focus. Nothing was blocked, but the light gathering area and focus potential for the lens was diminished.
Another part was looking from the walkways to the north rather than journeying toward the outlet for the marsh and viewing the nest from the east, the area where both the photographer pointed out the nest and from where I spent a very cold April day focusing the spotting scope to make out the head.
I would have been satisfied with a "bump" above the nest, but nothing doing.
The Marsh was pretty deserted, two cars ahead of me in the parking lot, with the second a van where the family was just stirring to go for a walk.
I made my way to the over the water ramp, and began the walk swinging first south from the lot and then northward toward the inhabited eagle's nest. Looking at the tree line, I knew spotting the birds on the nest would be tough, since the spring leaves were now obscuring the branches and the nest site.
As I walked the pathway, I noted the waterfowl on the water, the usual Canada geese, and their new greenish goslings, swans, one with a couple of the "ugly ducklings" family, and a couple of egrets. No gulls, herons, or, amazingly, ducks.
In April on an extremely cold and windy day, the water was spotted in all directions with either ducks, wading herons, and what seemed like hundreds of gulls. The only movement now was the waves and an occasional jumping fish and now chimney swifts circling from around the screened house and out over the water in search of the insects which most likely enticed the fish to jump.
Checking the south end of the Marsh, I couldn't confirm that the horned owl remained on the abandoned eagle's nest. Part of the reason may have been Monday's checkup with the eye doctor, who could get me a new prescription for glasses, but couldn't sharpen the sight as I would have liked because cataracts were robbing me of lens area, and thus a sharp focus. Nothing was blocked, but the light gathering area and focus potential for the lens was diminished.
Another part was looking from the walkways to the north rather than journeying toward the outlet for the marsh and viewing the nest from the east, the area where both the photographer pointed out the nest and from where I spent a very cold April day focusing the spotting scope to make out the head.
I would have been satisfied with a "bump" above the nest, but nothing doing.
The Marsh was pretty deserted, two cars ahead of me in the parking lot, with the second a van where the family was just stirring to go for a walk.
I made my way to the over the water ramp, and began the walk swinging first south from the lot and then northward toward the inhabited eagle's nest. Looking at the tree line, I knew spotting the birds on the nest would be tough, since the spring leaves were now obscuring the branches and the nest site.
As I walked the pathway, I noted the waterfowl on the water, the usual Canada geese, and their new greenish goslings, swans, one with a couple of the "ugly ducklings" family, and a couple of egrets. No gulls, herons, or, amazingly, ducks.
In April on an extremely cold and windy day, the water was spotted in all directions with either ducks, wading herons, and what seemed like hundreds of gulls. The only movement now was the waves and an occasional jumping fish and now chimney swifts circling from around the screened house and out over the water in search of the insects which most likely enticed the fish to jump.
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