Category: Nature

Winter Birds

I showed you my mom Peggy's bird feeders in a recent post (Peggy's Feeders).  A natural follow up is to show off some of the birds that visit her in Northern Michigan in the winter.  Enjoy! Junco   Blue Jay       Mrs. Cardinal   Mr. Goldfinch   Tree Sparrow   Black-capped Chickadee     … Continue reading Winter Birds

Peggy’s Feeders

While watching the Cornell Bird FeederCams, it got me to thinking about the very creative set up my mom Peggy has in her backyard in Michigan for feeding birds.  She's been watching and feeding birds for as long as I can remember, and I owe her for passing on her passion for nature and gardening … Continue reading Peggy’s Feeders

Birdfeeder Cams

From my computer, I can't really see much outside. Even if I did, my feeder (yes, only one right now) doesn't usually attract a wide variety of birds.  I do enjoy watching the Goldfinches, Chickadees and Juncoes, but they are often overrun by the usual suburban fare.  So, I've taken to watching the bird cams … Continue reading Birdfeeder Cams

How Much Rain Did We Get?

I am forever trying to figure out how much rain we got during a storm. I don't know why, it's just one of those things I want to know. And not in general, like somewhere in the greater Chicago area, or at one of the airports, but in my backyard. have discovered Weatherbug and Weather … Continue reading How Much Rain Did We Get?

New Bird Feeder

I was lucky enough to recently attend a program, "Amazing Birds", by some local, passionate birders.  Among learning quite a few "amazing" bird facts, they briefly mentioned their favorite thistle (nyjer) feeder to attract goldfinches--a sock feeder.  I forgot about this little tidbit, until I was doing some other bird  shopping  and I came across this … Continue reading New Bird Feeder

An Unwelcome Visitor

While we were out there discussing the ideas for the new raised gardens yesterday, this is what we saw in the neighbor's backyard behind me...a very healthy coyote! And while I know coyotes can jump a fence, I hope it acts as a deterent to keep him from coming in my yard! The coyote population … Continue reading An Unwelcome Visitor

…and the Ugly, Not!

It was brought to my attention that following the good and the bad should be the ugly. But since I thought the bad was ugly enough, I thought I'd spare you the ugly! Instead, I thought I'd just continue to post some of the beautiful Michigan fall photos from Peggy.  Gray Dogwood Winterberry or Michigan … Continue reading …and the Ugly, Not!

White Line Sphinx Moth

The other night I was outside helping grill around dusk. Right next to the grill, I have planters with geraniums, petunias and coleus. Flitting around the petunias that night was this hummingbird-dragonfly-bug-like thing. Its wings were beating so fast, I really couldn't get a handle on what it was. All I could really tell was … Continue reading White Line Sphinx Moth