Trip to Northern Michigan

Back from a 10 day trip to Northern Michigan. First we went to Sleeping Bear National Shoreline where we had a wonderful couple days. Then drove up to the Upper Peninsula for 3 days.

On the first day in the U.P. we went to Whitefish Point. The beach here was beautiful! There was a short walk out to an observation tower. Several hawks flew by while we ate our lunch on the tower. I can imagine this spot is awesome in migration! We then headed for the water to fulfill our quest to have put our feet in all five great lakes. The water was cool, but not bad. Quest fulfilled! That afternoon we headed out to Tahquamenon Falls. The upper falls were spectacular! We ran out of daylight and did not have time to hike the trail between the falls. I’m sure it would have been really nice (and buggy).


Next day in the U.P. we went to Seney National Wildlife Refuge. Of course we didn’t get up as early as we would have liked, but it was real foggy and overcast. So the morning was extended for us. I got my first ever look at a American Bittern!


We were just rounding a corner and I was telling my wife that it was ok if I didn’t get one (it was the target bird of the day and I’ve chased reports of these guys all over Ohio) when there he was! He was in his spooked stance when we spotted him. We got out and enjoyed great looks of him as he stood motionless. After a few minutes, he decided everything was ok and resumed fishing. We watched as he caught 3 fish. I took the opportunity to move closer and he was ok with that too. After 30 or more minutes he move back into the weeds and was gone.


The last day in the U.P. was totally Awesome, except that I got wiped out. Over 8 miles of hiking and trudging through deep sand really wore me out. We had a blast though! Hiked to see 4 falls Munising Falls, Miners Falls, Chapel Falls,and Sable Falls. Past Chapel Falls was Chapel Rock. Well worth the hike, which in itself was really nice.




On the way back to Traverse City, we stopped at Sault Saint Marie. There we mostly checked out the Soo Locks. Very Cool! After watching several smaller boats go through we walked a ways along the shoreline and checked out a huge ship. Circling back we stopped for lunch and milled through the shops on the main drag. As we were getting ready to go, we saw a barge going into the Soo Lock. So we ran in to see the event.







Back to Traverse City to stay for 3 more days. The next day found us Kayaking the upper Platte River. Nice journey with more Kingfishers on it than I think I’ve seen in my lifetime! We got poured on from a pop up shower.

On Saturday, we spent a nice afternoon with our host Ellen in the city. While downtown, there was an arts festival going on, so of course we had to stroll through the booths. Several very good photographers there. I’m inspired to print out some prints on Fine Art Paper.


After a quick nap, we were off to climb the dunes. They don’t really go on forever... only a couple miles!

Since Kelly knew I really wanted to see a Piping Plover, she suggested we start the last day out looking for them. We were able to locate some and I was very happy! Onwards we traveled to the north in search of rocks. Yes, Kelly loves to look for rocks.

It was an awesome trip! We took lots of photos.

Photos can be viewed here: http://redtail.smugmug.com/Vacation/Michigan-2009/9349775_WZXgs#625582501_mt6fj

Fledglings Fledge

It is truely the dog days of summer. Birding is much slower now, and that's ok there are other things to do. I did go out to check my bluebird boxes this past saturday and got to see my box 10 fledge! Very cool. This guy here was a little more reluctant than the others and possed for me.

One more look around and he was gone.

I missed getting a flight shot as he took off for the very first time ever.

This was the first time I've been lucky enough to see bluebirds take their first flight. So very cool.