The Eagle and the Fish Pond

2011-04-27T09:55:00.004-04:00

Almost 25 years ago I spent an early spring day out taking random photos with a friend. I remember him saying that he didn’t like this time of year. With the lack of color and the generally overcast skies he thought it was a waste of time to be trying to take pictures of anything.

I didn’t necessarily agree then and the more I’m out and about in the early spring the less I find that to be true.

While there may not be lots of flowers and leaves there are more photo opportunities than you can count if your into wildlife. Birds are returning and are either busy courting and competing for mates. Some are already sitting on nests. Deer and other mammals are out trying to replenish weight lost over the course of the winter.

Around the pond there is a lot happening. Mergansers and Mallards are busy chasing each other about. No wood ducks yet but I’m sure they’ll be back soon.

I can’t tell for sure yet but the pond eagles act like they might have hatched something. If they haven’t it won’t be long. I saw the male chase off a large Red Tailed Hawk yesterday. Being double the hawks size though it there wasn’t much argument from the hawk.

This Canada Goose has been around for a couple of days. I was looking for a new spot to photograph from and I didn’t realize he was just 60 feet or so from where I chose to sit.

At first he just lowered his head and hid behind a piece of the branch he was sitting on. It was a “If he can’t see me maybe he doesn’t know I’m here” kind of thing.

At any rate it “is” a wonderful time of year to be outside. Pick a spot somewhere to have a seat and enjoy the world around you!

THIS POST IS DEDICATED TO:
Sr. Kathy Payne, Cancer Survivor - diagnosed

2011-03-23T10:23:00.004-04:00

Well, this post will be far from exciting to most. It is certainly exciting for me though!

First, to avoid confusion and save typing time I think I’ll start referring to the eagles that have been coming here for years as the “Lake Eagles” and the newer pair that have been working on the nest near the pond as the “Pond Eagles”. Since the older pair nests near the shore of a local lake it pretty much makes sense.

After not being able to visit the pond for a while I was glad to get outside for a visit. I was really excited to see that the Pond Eagles were not only still around but that the female appears to be sitting on eggs! Since March 20th was the first date I observed her down on the nest I am going to guess that, with luck, sometime around the third or fourth week of April they should hatch.

After seeing her I forgot all about walking back to the pond and I drove to the spot from where I can see the Lake Eagles nest. At the distance I was from the nest it was hard to get a decent picture but with binoculars you can see that one of them was down flat on the nest and being very still. That was the second thrill of the day since it indicates they may also be sitting on eggs.

If they both are successful at hatching a couple of eggs it could get very crowded around here in the fall. I hope it does!

Get outside and discover something new! Its springtime and its easy to do.

THIS POST IS DEDICATED TO:
CAROL LEMMEN, Fighting Cancer, Diagnosis Date Unknown

2011-03-04T22:51:00.004-05:00

Ok, I’ll admit it. After going out to shoot for the blog again I was selfishly thinking “now I remember why I don’t do this very often this time of year.” “Its cold, its wet, the light is usually terrible and there are lots of ducks. Not usually too much else, but lots and lots of ducks.”

Of course just as I’m walking towards the pond and thinking that, one of the ponds new eagles flies right over my head. “Crap, now I have to get excited about being here again.”

Its seems surprising that seeing a Bald Eagle fly over my head still gives me a thrill but it does. Of course it doesnt hurt that this female is very large which makes her very impressive. By large I mean, if you imagine the size bird it would take to carry off a small dog you would be thinking about her.

I guess the cold weather snap must have made the pond one of the most attractive places on all of northern Michigan for every type of bird within 50 miles. Yes there where lots of ducks. At least 50-60 Mallards had found their way to the pond this morning. Not that Mallards are all that exciting, well not until they all decide to leave en masse I guess, but mixed in with them were several Gadwall and Mottled ducks that are not often seen here. They are probably making their way north and the fact that the sun was actually shining today meant that there was great light for getting pictures of them. Now I have to get even more excited about being here.

Then, for the first time this year, I see one of my favorite pond residents, the Belted Kingfisher. I didn’t get any pictures of him but it was fun just to hear his loud chatter as he flew back and forth across the pond.

Ok, so now I’m glad I came out today.

One of the birds that I have been unable to get a good shot of is the Pileated Woodpecker. So this morning when one flew across the trail in front of me it was neat to see but I certainly didn’t think it would sit still long enough for me to photograph him or her. Not only did it decide to be kind to me and land somewhere I could get a shot of him once but it actually gave me two chances. Call me boring but I’m starting to think this day is awesome.

But wait! What else did we find visiting this morning? Mute Swans.

The swans don’t find their way here very often, maybe two or three times a year, but the open water and the hills around the pond that block the wind probably make it one of the warmest spots in the county on a chilly morning. The male was fun. He saw me approaching the water and decided to show me how tough he was. He would swim back and forth along the far side of the pond and then turn and swim directly at me, building speed until he realized I wasn‘t going anywhere. Then he would sit floating with the breeze and staring at me. Almost like he was challenging my presence. The female could have cared less that I was there. She just swam back and forth dipping her beak into the water to grab a bite.

Regardless of their disposition they are very beautiful and graceful birds.

So now I am really, really glad that I came today. I thought maybe it was because there was so much to photograph and new things to see but it really wasn’t either. I guess its because, like every year, the pond knows spring is coming. Larger groups of birds and new varieties of waterfowl passing through. Old friends like the Kingfisher and the Woodpeckers busily making their way from tree to tree in search of breakfast and, even though there is a fresh layer of snow on the ground, the sunlight just seems warmer.

Whether your a fan of the snow or can't wait for spring to arrive get outside. Even if you think you've seen it all there is always the possibility that your wrong!

THIS POST IS DEDICATED TO:
SANDRA MEYER - Cancer Survivor - Diagnosed February 7, 2003

2011-02-24T22:44:00.002-05:00

The wonderful thing about a typical northern Michigan spring thaw is that it reassures us that sooner or later the snow will melt and the world will once again turn green. It certainly doesn’t mean that winter has come to an end. There is plenty of snow and cold in the forecast.

The thaw at the Fish Pond means that the ice begins to retreat, the taller grasses start to reappear, and the wildlife begins to “get in the mood” so to speak. There are lots of ducks around now. Suddenly it seems like there are four or five drakes for every hen. This means there are almost continuous squabbles between the males who chase each other away from hens who look as if they would rather just stay away from the whole mess.

Many of the types of ducks that do not summer here will soon disappear as the larger lakes begin to open up. I actually saw my first Canada Goose of season while driving to town this afternoon. That’s either a sign that temperatures south of here are getting warmer or one mixed up goose.

The neighborhoods new eagles don’t seem to be too worried about hunting these days. Adding to their new nest seems to be their primary concern. This might be a sign that they will soon be sitting on eggs.

Like with every season, there are always loads of new details around the Fish Pond to photograph and enjoy. The kind of things you only notice if you stop and look for them. Interesting formations in the melting ice, and plants beginning to sprout up through the snow.

Don’t put away the winter coat just yet, but feel free to get outside and enjoy the weather. A good brisk walk is a sure cure for cabin fever.

THIS POST IS DEDICATED TO:
NOLA SUE SNOW PERKINS - Cancer Victim - Diagnosed June 10, 2010

2011-02-19T12:22:00.002-05:00

About the only thing that seems to remain the same at the fish pond is the constant flow of water that makes its way from the hillside springs and stream. Other than the steady sound of water making its way into and out of the pond everything else seems to be in a constant state of evolution and change.

While most change around the pond happens slowly every once in awhile something sudden happens that adds just the right amount of excitement and creates a new opportunity to learn and explore. Sometimes it’s a little thing like the falling of a tree that adds an interesting new light pattern in the woods or provides a new perching spot for the birds. Sometimes it can be something out of the ordinary and unexpected that takes you completely by surprise and adds new life and interest to the entire area. The newest excitement at the pond these days, which falls into the unexpected category, is the appearance of a new set of birds. Eagles to be exact.

Late last fall a new pair of Bald Eagles decided to stake a claim to the area surrounding the Fish Pond. They are not the same pair that I have photographed here in the past. Neither of them appear to be banded like the pair that visits here from their nest 3 or 4 miles away and they are noticeably different in size from that pair. The female of this set is significantly larger than her mate and although I am making my comparisons based on my memory of the older pair I would say she is probably larger than any of the eagles I have seen frequenting here over the years.

Over the winter they have been building a nest near the pond. Whether they actually try to use it remains to be seen and will probably depend on how much can be done to protect them from being disturbed. If they can tolerate the human traffic in the area and if the older pair doesn’t return and drive them off it will be very interesting to watch and study them as they make the fish pond their home and raise their young.

THIS POST IS DEDICATED TO:

LOIS B. LUEB - Fighting Cancer - Diagnosed April 24, 2006

2011-02-18T21:23:00.002-05:00

Yeah, yeah I know, you’ve heard me say I plan to update more often and I haven’t actually done so, so I won’t say it again. Sorry about that but to be quite honest I was getting pretty bored with the whole blogging thing. I had three or four of them going at one time, there was very little feedback from readers and newer things seemed to required my attention.

That doesn’t mean that I haven’t visited the pond, I have, on quite a regular basis just not with a camera. It is a place that continues to amaze me almost every time I visit.

Recent events in life have forced me to re-examine many things including the work I do on my blogs. More specifically, my wonderful wife has been diagnosed with lung cancer. I am dedicating the entirety of this blog to her and her very brave and inspiring fight to conquer this disease.

I could probably sit here for hours sharing with you all of the things I’ve learned over the last several months but I’m not a physician and nothing I could say would come close to accurately describing just how devastating and terrible this disease is. The most important things I have learned really have nothing to do with the disease itself. They are lessons about the wonderful and incredibly brave people who fight it, both as patients and as caregivers.

I have no idea of when or how often I will be able do add to this blog in the future but each time I do I will be dedicating each post to a person who is bravely battling, has survived or has fallen victim to cancer.

If there is someone you would like to have included in this blog by way of a post dedication please let me know. I only ask that you have their (or their families) permission to publish their name in the post and that you provide, in addition to their name, their current status and if known date of diagnosis. Dedications will be made in three catagories - Fighting Cancer, Cancer Survivor, Cancer Victim.

THIS BLOG IS DEDICATED TO:
LENORA JOHNSTON - Fighting Cancer - Diagnosed October 1st, 2010

Finally, Something New!

2010-09-21T08:42:00.002-04:00

Ok, so I finally made time to head down to the fish pond and sit for awhile. Its been far to long since I made myself do so and even though I didn't get any great photos I’m glad I did.

There’s just something about a nice cool early fall morning that is special out in the woods. The heavy dew clinging to every flower petal and blade of grass each waiting for the sun and wind to dry them. The way the sun seems to take its time to rise above the tree tops. The first leaves beginning to fall and the bright white Birch trees almost seeming to reappear after being hidden behind their green summer leaves.

There where two things that I "relearned" during my visit to the pond today. The first is that when you sit and casually gaze at the wonderful things you see while spending time outside its very easy to enjoy the nature around you without really appreciating it. Some times you’ve got to get right down there and stick your nose in things to really appreciate the true wonder of them.

Picking a small wildflower and glancing at it as you raise it to your nose is nice but every once in awhile you really need to put it up to the old eyeball and study it. Explore every little detail of the petals, stem and leaves. If you stop every so often to take a good hard look at the details of things you admire you may find yourself discovering a truly new appreciation of the world around you.

There wasn’t much in the way of wildlife at the pond today. A small group of Mallard ducks played follow the leader from hiding spot to hiding spot and there was a very brief visit by a couple of crows and a young bald eagle. The visit was so brief that I barely got a photo of one of the crows and missed the eagle all together. Given that the Salmon have started to run up the local rivers that feed into Lake Michigan I don’t expect that I will see much of the adult eagles here at the pond over the next few weeks.

The only thing that was at the pond in any kind of number today were songbirds. This brings us to the second part of my “relearning” for the day. I can sit at the pond and take pictures of all kinds of things. Eagles, no problem. Herons, deer, ducks, swans, crows and kingfishers no problem. Song birds, now that’s a problem.

Every once in awhile you get lucky and one stops in the open but you think I would remember how hard it is to get a clear shot of a small, hyperactive bird though the tangles of branches that surround the pond but apparently I didn’t. This was I’m sure evidenced by my wildly swinging camera lens and the muttered curses that I was glad there was no one around to hear. Of course not wanting to short myself on any possible photo adventures I thought maybe I would try to get a shot of one of these charming little tweeters in flight. Now that’s a whole different ball of wax.

Imagine trying to take a picture of something about the size of a pair of ping pong balls moving at what seems like a hundred miles an hour and that couldn’t fly in a straight line to pass a field sobriety test if it had to. Not as easy as it sounds.

Of course now that I feel challenged to get a good in flight shot of a songbird I suppose I will have to make at least a couple of more trips to the pond in the coming weeks. I get the feeling though that this could be one endeavor that might not end well.

Until next time. Get outside and enjoy the world around you! It might just change your perspective on life.

2009-10-13T16:11:00.002-04:00

Wow, looking at the last time I posted anything I can't believe its been almost a year.

I finally got a chance to take a little walk today and managed to steal a few minutes to quietly stand at the top of the highest bank of the pond and take in the fall colors. Since I was hiking through some pretty wet areas and scouting a path for a cross country ski trail I didn't have my camera so I didn't get any pictures.

It was incredibly nice to just stand under a large Poplar tree as a small rain shower passed overhead. Quietly watching the ducks and a Heron feed. The sound of stream water rolling and splashing over rocks as it rushed down its well worn hillside path, the autumn leaves and the smell of the damp fall woods just seemed to make the day a great one to be alive for.

I am excited to think that I might finally have some time get out and get some pictures to share.

If the colors are starting to pop get out and enjoy them! They don't last very long.

Have a great day!

Kevin

2009-01-21T11:24:00.000-05:00

When nighttime temperatures dip down to the minus 20’s and 30’s all but the swiftest and most protected waters freeze over.

The sub-zero weather causes steam to rise from any unfrozen water. From across an ice covered lake fast flowing streams almost look like they might be on fire. Backlit by the rising sun the steam slowly lifting from the waters surface gives the illusion of warmth and is probably a welcome sight to any passing waterfowl.

Since the Fish Pond is one of the only bodies of water still unfrozen here in the area it is a welcome refuge for the ducks that are hardy enough to still be hanging around.

When I first arrived it looked like the pond was covered in a heavy fog and I only occasionally caught a glimpse of one or two ducks. They would appear out of the steam as they swam about looking for small food to dive after.

As the sunlight inched its way onto the surface of the pond the ducks seemed to follow it. The diving ducks would plunge down in search of breakfast while the Mallards followed in flocks each hoping to grab any bits of food that the underwater escapades might stir up.

I don’t know where the eagles go when it gets this cold. If they make an appearance at all it isn’t until later when temps are at the daytime high.

The land creatures that live near the pond seem to hunker down and stay close to their bedding areas leaving their trails filled with blowing snow. Unnecessary moving about this time of year burns precious energy they will need to survive the rest of the winter. It is why it is so important if you are going to be out in the woods that you avoid any areas you know animals are wintering.

Well if you feel like layering up and venturing out into the cold remember to take it easy. Move slowly and don’t wander to far. Like all times of year there is always something new to see and discover in the great outdoors.

Have a great one.

Kevin

2009-01-09T11:16:00.001-05:00

With smaller lakes in the area already frozen and the larger lakes beginning to ice up many more ducks are sure to start appearing at the Fish Pond. The pond and streams that run through it will soon be some of the only open water in the north.

While Mallards are a year round sight at the pond the other species that summer and breed here are long gone. Mergansers and Common Goldeneye are now regulars here and several other types that are migrating ahead of the ice have been randomly appearing.

The Common Goldeneye is one of the heartiest of ducks. They are usually the last to migrate south in the fall and the first to head north again in the spring. I was surprised to read that they prefer lakes and ponds that have little or no fish in them. Since their diet consists of many of the same items as fish lakes where there are fewer of them means it is easier for the ducks to find food.

As with all ducks it is very hard to get a good in flight picture of them here at the pond. The topography and plant life limit the light for most of the day. It amazes me that a moderate shutter speed will freeze the motion of the wheel on a 180 mph racecar but won’t capture a clear picture of a ducks wing in motion. Those feathers truly do fly.

This winter I think I will try to get pictures of as many different kinds of ducks as I can. Who knows what might show up after Lake Michigan freezes over.

So put on your winter best and get outside. See if you can find something that only visits or occurs in the winter. You might be surprised at what you discover.

Have a great one.

Kevin

2008-12-31T19:32:00.000-05:00

Since the list of reasons I haven’t been out to shoot for my blog is as long as the average NBA players arm I won’t bore you with them. I will say that I have still been visiting the pond on a regular basis. Just not with a camera.

This time of year the eagles seem to stick pretty close together. During today’s visit the distinctly larger female flew in directly over my head but did not stop. She is much less tolerant of people and since I was out in the open she saw me quite easily and flew an unwavering path across the pond and over the trees on the far bank.

As always, the male is less disturbed by my presence.

He flew out over the pond on almost the same course as his partner and after shooting me quick glance he took up a perch in a tall Poplar tree opposite my spot.

He stayed there for a couple of minutes, half watching the pond, half looking off in the direction that the female had disappeared before again taking flight.

He lifted off and circled the perimeter of the pond not even looking down at me as he passed over my head. This time when he reached the far side of the pond he landed in one of the trees that overhangs the inlet stream. After losing interest in the stream he repeated his “once around the pond” flight path then disappeared in the direction that female had ten minutes earlier.

In addition to the eagles there were lots of other birds around. A Kingfisher buzzed the pond a couple of times and there were several groups of small perching birds flittering from cedar tree to cedar tree.

Over course the ponds open water also draws in the ducks. Today’s guests included Mallards, Mergansers, Common Golden Eyes and I even spotted one Wood Duck when he took to the air.

All in all it wasn't to bad considering I only had twenty minutes to shoot.

Well now that I have finally braved the snow and ice I have no excuse not to get out more often and I promise I will. (I'll get bet better pictures too.)

Have a great New Year! Get out and enjoy Mother Nature’s blanket of white.

Kevin

2008-10-15T10:44:00.000-04:00

Many thanks to those who attended the wildlife and nature photography presentation I got the chance to give this past weekend. I really appreciated the opportunity to meet you and would enjoy hearing what you thought about presentation.

My plan had been to take a short walk before speaking to grab a few quick shots to show how easy it is to get decent images of the short color season. Unfortunately I was running late and didn't get a chance to use them at the presentation.

So if you don't mind I will share my "one hour walk" through the woods around the Fish Pond with you here.

Until next time, take an hour for yourself to get outside and enjoy Mother Nature's last blast.

Have a great one!

Kevin

2008-10-03T10:22:00.000-04:00

After a run of great weather the chill of fall is beginning to settle in. The trees are starting to turn and once again the birds around the pond seem to be very busy preparing for the inevitable coming of winter.

Large numbers of songbirds seem to be passing through. Smaller groups make their way around the waters edge leap-frogging each other as they feed and harass larger birds. They never seem to sit still for more than a second or two so they are very difficult to photograph. Drives me nuts trying to focus on them when they briefly land in the tangles of cedar branches near my photo blind.

No matter how much time I spend at the pond the Kingfishers always seem to be one of my favorite aimals to watch. Their plumage and inability to remain quiet for long make them easy to find and they are always busy doing something.

The male that calls the pond home was around a lot today and while he seemed to be accustomed to the rain showers that were passing through didn’t appear to enjoy them. The large moth, some sort of underwing variety, that fell into the water during one downpour certainly didn't like them.

Of course the thing he really didn’t like was the young Kingfisher that took up a perch in one of the trees across the pond. When it first showed up the older bird got so loud I would have sworn that someone was plucking out his tail feathers. All the noise didn’t seem to affect the younger bird though. It stayed put for fifteen or twenty minutes before disappearing into the woods.

In one of my previous posts I asked if anyone knew what had made the hole in the picture above. Since I know the suspense has been killing many of you (wink, wink) ....

While almost every guess was for some sort of furbearing animal it is actually a Kingfisher burrow. I only found it after I did some research on their nesting habits. I photographed it just this one time since I didn’t want to disturb them while they were using it. Even though the young fledged several weeks ago the mature birds still seem to check on the burrow almost every time they are around.

It is indeed a great season to be outside. There is nothing like a hour or so of quiet time in the great outdoors to help relieve a little stress.

Have a great one and please leave me a comment to let me know what you think of my blog!

Kevin

2008-09-18T11:40:00.000-04:00

The first splashes of color in the trees are a bright and cheerful reminder that summer will soon be at an end. The shorter days and cooler overnight temperatures have sent life at the Fish Pond into the feeding mode as the animals begin to prepare for winter.

The Great Blue Herons are certainly out in full force. There is always at least one to be found somewhere near the pond. There were three that spent time at the pond today. The first arrived shortly after I did and it took it only a few moments for it to find a potential lunch. It made a great stab between the branches of a submerged tree to grab the large trout but pulling it through the tangle of sticks proved to be much more difficult than catching it was.

Unfortunately the arrival of a second bird meant the delay in getting the meal into its mouth meant it was not going to be able to enjoy the fruits of its labors.

While I’m not sure if the first was an immature bird or a female the new arrival definitely appeared to be a male. After driving the first heron to the far shore of the pond he spent several minutes strutting his stuff around the area near the inlet stream and letting everyone know just who’s hunting spot it was.

The third arrived while the ruckus between the first two was taking place and it quietly perched on a branch overlooking the scene. All of the strutting and puffing up his feathers must have made the intended point. The first bird opted to leave and as much as the third wanted to jump in and have lunch it didn’t.

Number three must have decided to try to get to the disputed fish by flying into the woods to the upper portion of the pond’s inlet stream. Perhaps it thought it could sneak in from the back side if the new king of the pond let his guard down.

The king wasn’t going to give an inch though. Defending his hunting spot was even more important to him than eating. He moved back and forth along the shore keeping the challenger at bay. After watching them squabble along the bank and up into the stream for almost an hour and a half they both flew up the stream and off through the woods arguing over the hunting spot that they both seemed to have forgotten about.

There has been a new bird around for the last couple of weeks. I believe it is a Solitary Sandpiper and this is the second time in the last three years I have been able to photograph one here at, or near the pond. My bird books are all older editions and they do not show my area as being within the normal breeding area for this bird so maybe I’m just lucky and have been fortunate enough to see a couple who are migrating.

Even if they are just migrating through the area they are still fun to see and photograph. Seeing new animals and plants is always a treat. They bring out the excitement that you can only get when you make a new discovery and to me the best part of spending time outdoors are the almost unending number if new things to find and learn about.

Until next time, get outside and make your own discoveries! Get outside and learn about the wonderful world around you!

Have a great one.

Kevin

2008-09-11T10:08:00.000-04:00

Well, I’m back. After not having the time to make regular visits over the course of the summer I finally got a chance to get out and shoot for a while. Fortunately the Fish Pond is still a popular place for a wide variety of plants and wildlife.

It was incredibly relaxing to be able to sit quietly enjoying the sound of the pond’s inlet stream and the wind as it shuffled through the leaves. Watching the wide variety of birds that depend on the pond to get ready for winter is always interesting and there were a lot of them there during this visit. So many in fact that I will save the narrative for my next post and just share a few quick comments and some of the photos from the day.

It looks like the local Mallards were very successful in their breeding this spring.

After several minutes of watching the ducks this young Bald Eagle must have decided try for an easier lunch somewhere else.

The natural soil conditions and lots of recent rain have brought the open areas around the pond to life with wild flowers.

One of the local Great Blue Herons couldn't resist going after this large trout but when it proved to big and slippery he opted for a smaller snack.

Even when they are molting the Wood Ducks are some of the prettiest birds on the pond.

The bees were busy taking advantage of the selection of late summer and early fall flowers.

Until my next post don’t forget to spend a little quiet time outside!

Have a great one.

Kevin

2008-06-16T11:09:00.001-04:00

While the changes between spring and summer may not be as dramatic as other seasonal shifts they certainly seem to have snuck up on me this year. Young ones are arriving and changes in attitudes and behaviours are taking place all around the Fish Pond.

The striking colors of the Wood Duck drakes have begun to fade and will soon be gone completely. Even the Bright green head feathers of the local Mallards don’t seem as vibrant as they did only a week or so ago.

Since both male and female Kingfisher seem comfortable venturing out over the pond at the same time I am guessing that they now have young. They make almost continuous trips to hunt for enough food to feed their growing little ones.

They are still one of my favorites to watch as they fly from tree to tree stopping to hover occasionally when they spot a small fish or as they splash into the water for a quick bath to clean up and refresh themselves.

My original guess that the eagles who fish here at the pond might not have successfully hatched any young this year was wrong. They did manage to raise one little one and it has finally found its way to the pond. It arrived as I was setting up and the only shots I managed to get of it were a few blurry ones as it made a hasty departure to avoid the crows that were harassing it. These persistant pests did not bother it for long though.

I have never seen both of the mature eagles at the pond together before so you can imagine how excited I was when they both suddenly appeared. They came in quickly from my left chasing the noisy crows back into trees. I was really amazed when they both landed on the same perch directly up and across from my photo blind.

They spent about ten minutes there before taking off in the direction of the younger eagle that I could see circling over the trees in the distance. The best part of this group encounter is that I can now say with out doubt that they are both sporting similar leg bands. All I have to do now is get the alphanumeric codes off of them. Easy right?

After being fortunate enough to have these brief few moments with the eagles I was surprised again to have a close encounter with what is probably the smallest bird that occasionally visits the pond.

This hummingbird spent several minutes among the shadows of the tree that makes up part of my photo blind. It was so close I had a hard time focussing on it.

Needless to say it was a wonderful and very interesting couple of hours at the Fish Pond.

Fortunately a couple of hours is all it takes to find a weeks worth of wonder in the big world around you!

Get out there and be amazed!

Have a great one!

Kevin

2008-06-06T19:50:00.000-04:00

Lazy, hazy spring days at the Fish Pond. That’s certainly what it seemed like today as there was not much happening. Kingfishers passing back and forth, a few ducks and a seagull that stopped in for a quick bite were about all that I saw.

One Mallard Drake showed up shortly after my arrival. He was heading straight at me as he skidded to a stop on the water’s surface. As soon as he slowed to the point that his feet could paddle successfully he turned sharply to his right and swam away from his splashdown point.

He nervously swam up and down the length of the pond paralleling the bank that was off to my right looking for any sign of other ducks but he stayed well away from it. Occasionally he would perk his head up as if he thought he had seen something in the over hanging trees. He would swim quickly towards whatever it was only to return to his regular route when it turned out to be nothing.

Quacking anxiously he maintained his back and forth pattern for more than twenty minutes. He didn’t seem to relax until a pair of wood ducks appeared from out of the brush. As soon as they showed up he climbed up onto a fallen tree settled in for a short rest.

One of the reasons for the lack of activity today was probably the layer of white fluff that had fallen from the Cottonwood trees. Until the wind picked up and pushed it all to one side it blanketed almost the entire surface of the pond.

It certainly drove the Wood Ducks crazy when they tried to feed in it and made at least one Grackle very unhappy. He must have thought it was snow and seemed very surprised when he went right through it and got a little wet. If I didn’t know better I’d say he was rather embarrassed about the whole thing.

That was about the all that happened. Except for the large number of mosquitoes that kept my hands pretty busy it was fairly uneventful.

I did make one new discovery. The picture below is what I found. I’m curious to know if anyone can guess what it is, or more precisely, whose it is, hmmm…

With the great weather there is no longer any excuse not to get outside and go exploring! So get going!

Until next time have a great one.

Kevin

2008-05-30T08:02:00.000-04:00

Even with the arrival of spring I have to admit that the last several trips to the Fish Pond have seemed rather ho-hum. It’s actually been difficult to even find the motivation to go.

Arriving a little late this morning the pond seemed empty. I got set up and scanned the edges of the pond several times but I saw nothing. There were two Wood Duck drakes I didn’t see until something startled them and they flew across the far end of the water. They landed and swam under a large pine where they were again hidden from view. Catching only this brief glimpse of them it looked like it would be another slow day at the Fish Pond.

It had been almost an hour since I had last seen the Wood Ducks when I heard a noisy Seagull approaching the pond. It flew back and forth over the trees above and behind my blind where I could not see it. I did see it shadow and the shadow of something larger that it appeared to be chasing and darting after. Since several ravens had started to call I thought it was probably one of them. I was very surprised when the gull and its target finally appeared over the pond. It was a Bald Eagle.

This is the first time I have ever seen a gull chasing an eagle. Normally they make themselves very scarce when any of the large raptors are around but amidst the encouraging calls of the ravens it was doing a great job of harassing the larger bird.

The eagle finally decided to land in what seems to be becoming one of her favorite perches. While I can’t get a good view of it from my photo blind the ravens could and they spent the better part of twenty minutes pestering her. Deciding that she was not going to let them press her out of her spot over the stream they finally gave up and quieted down.

All of the activity must have peaked the Wood Ducks interest. They had followed shore to the mouth of the stream where they seemed totally unaware of the eagle’s presence. When one of them did spot her a minute or so later they immediately bolted quickly flying back to the safety of the pine tree where they had been before.

The eagle sat watching the stream for ten or fifteen minutes before lifting off and flying along the tree tops away from the pond. While I was glad to have seen her I was disappointed that I did not get an opportunity to get a decent photo of her.

Things quickly went back to being very quiet and stayed that way for almost an hour. I had resolved myself to being happy with a couple of good shots of the Wood Ducks and what has become a rare visit from my friend the eagle when a shadow on the water once again caught my attention. Looking up I just managed a glimpse of the eagle. Wings and white tail feathers spread wide she glided in below the tree tops this time. Her quick trip to a lower perch over the stream went unnoticed by the ravens or seagulls.

It’s a good thing our neighborhood Bald Eagles prefer fish to ducks otherwise the pair of Mallards that arrived less than a minute after she did could have been her lunch. Landing practically in the mouth of the inlet stream they swam almost right under her. Other than a look or two she all but ignored them though. I don’t think they even realized she was there at first. Even after I saw the drake tilt his head and look up at her they didn’t seem to worried about her presence.

The arrival of the Mallards brought the Wood Ducks out of hiding again and for about thirty minutes everything seemed to be peaceful. The ducks fed and moved about the pond while the eagle sat quietly staring intently down at the stream.

That all came to a very abrupt end though when a Great Blue Heron showed up.

While the eagle and ducks seemed willing to share the pond with each other the eagle was not so willing to tolerate the heron. She quickly turned on her perch and dived down through the trees making a beeline for the large blue gray bird. The heron was not about to argue and quickly vacated its spot and sought cover among the thicker branches of a dead pine. The eagle did an abrupt 180 and flew to the bank along the stream’s mouth. It then became obvious why the eagle didn’t like the presence of a bird that could be looking to lunch on the same things as her.

She hopped onto a dead branch just off the shore and grabbed a recently deceased rainbow trout that was lying in the water next to it. She adjusted her grip on it and with great swooshing beats of her wings she slowly lifted herself and her meal into the air.

Heading out low across the water she built speed and angled up toward the tree in which the heron had sought refuge once again sending it flying and hissing. Perching on a good-sized branch about half way up the tree she settled in to enjoy a quick meal before leaving. Hopefully to share what remained of it with young ones.

Needless to say I now remember why it is that I go to the pond. While its usually quiet, relaxing and even sometimes boring there are times that it is wonderfully exciting to be able to witness these small moments in the lives of some fantastic animals. To be able to sit within fifty feet of a Bald Eagle and watch it as it takes flight with a fish in its talons is something I can only hope I can adequately share with anyone who reads this.

Even if you don’t have a place like the Fish Pond visit there are great opportunities to enjoy the world around you. Local lakes, rivers and woodlands all are loaded with wildlife if you can find a spot to sit quietly and watch for an hour or so. All you have to do is take the time to get outside!

Have a great one and please feel free to leave a comment if you would like!

Kevin

2008-05-23T20:07:00.001-04:00

Something just seems special about the morning light in the springtime. The sunlight almost seems to glow as it filters through the budding tree leaves. Shadows seem softer and it makes you feel as though the temperature outside is just perfect no matter what it actually is.

There really weren’t any prolonged interactions between any of the animals that were at the pond today nor were there any amazing new plant discoveries. There were however a few brief moments of excitement.

Not much went on until about ten a.m. when a lone Wood Duck Drake showed up. He weaved his way around the edge of the pond occasionally diving, drinking and stretching as he went. Not long after he landed a pair of Mallards who had been hiding around the corner from where I was came out to investigate the new arrival but paid him little notice after that.

The three of them swam along the far shore enjoying the morning and with the exception of three Hooded Mergansers who stopped by briefly to dive for fish they were the only things I saw “on” the water today.

Above the pond was a different storythough. In addition to the usual crows and small songbirds it was pretty busy up in the air.

Hawks are not what I would call a common site at the pond but there were at least three different ones that soared by today all shadowed by one or two gliding Turkey Vultures.

They didn’t stay long though since their presence did not seem appreciated by the local Crow populations who quickly chased them out of the area.

I have never seen more than one of the extremely shy Green Heron at the pond at one time before. There must have been a battle for nesting territory going on today though. There were four of them calling loudly and chasing each other from tree to tree around the pond. They were so distracted with each other that they weren’t even bothered by my moving around to try to get their picture. They are a very pretty bird to watch fly and although they are normally quiet the calls they make when they are agitated are almost as loud as some eagle calls.

Signs that spring has completely arrived were everywhere. Budding leaves, moth’s, butterflies and the first hints of pink appearing on what will become blossoms on the ponds only apple tree can only mean that winter is indeed gone at last. I suppose I can no longer put off mowing the lawn.

At any rate if you can find a quiet place to get outside this holiday weekend by all means do so. Even if it’s only for an hour to sit and watch your bird feeders take a few minutes to make note of the many different birds and animals that have almost magically returned!

Until next time have a great one.

Kevin

2008-05-16T16:46:00.000-04:00

The yellow green color of budding leaves is beginning to add a taste of the warmer seasons to the trees around the Fish Pond.

Everywhere you look life is popping up. Under a fallen tree plants that look like they could have been the inspiration for a building on some far away planet in a Star Wars adventure reach up into the warm air while trilliums, dandelions and other wildflowers seem to be starting to rejoice in winters passing.

While most of the animals that live in and around the Fish Pond have pretty much wrapped up their mate selections their is still one Mallard drake at the pond that is very nervous about who gets to close to the hen he is with.

They were the only two on the water for most of the morning. The drake followed the hen back and forth along the shoreline feeding resting until about 10 a.m..

It was about then that I saw the shadow of a single duck appear over the water to my left and watched it move straight along the shore until it was directly out from my photo blind. It suddenly made a tight 180-degree turn and the lone drake dropped onto the water about ten feet in front of my spot. I froze and hoped he hadn’t noticed me.

Fortunately he didn’t see me but the male of the pair that was resting on the far end of the pond certainly saw him and there was no politeness in his tone as he and the hen made a beeline across the water. The paired male increased his speed, water building in front of him, as he got closer to the newcomer. When he got close enough he lunged at the new drake sending him flying to the far side of the pond.

Usually this display and distance would have been enough to settle down most duck territory claims but not today. This guy didn’t seem to want any competition anywhere on the pond. With hen in tow he swam at full speed straight back across the pond in pursuit of his rival. For more than an hour he repeatedly chased the new guy far up onto the bank.

When the loner would see an opportunity to make it back to the water he would make a waddling dash down the hill and try to avoid his tormentor by swimming away from him through the fallen trees that line the far shore but to no avail. The original male would quickly resume the chase biting at and herding the poor visitor away form the hen who for the most part seemed disinterested in the whole affair.

When I left at about noon the hen was resting on a log while the two of them continued their game.

It was great to get out to shoot for this today. The changes that have taken place since my last visit serve as a great reminder of how easy it is to get caught up in the daily grind and miss the wonderful things that happen all around us.

I spent only a few hours sitting still or slowly walking through the woods today but I managed to see a wealth of small natural wonders. A young Bald Eagle soaring over the trees as it was hunting, the ripples that shimmered across the pond as gusts of wind moved along the waters surface and the wonderful colors of the spring flowers that seem to add a little sunshine to even the cloudiest day.

It doesn’t take long to become a fan of the great outdoors and the couple of hours it takes once or twice a week to get out and explore can do wonders for the way you feel about life in general.

So as always, get outside and discover the world you live in!

Have a great one.

Kevin

2008-04-30T15:09:00.000-04:00

After not visiting the Fish Pond for a few weeks it was great to be able to enjoy a few hours out in the chilly spring sunshine and to discover my first wildflower of the season.

Even though the grasses around the pond are sprouting and several different types of trees are beginning to bud it certainly didn’t feel like spring this morning at the Fish Pond. While overnight temperatures did not dip as low as had been forecast there was a strong, steady and cold wind blowing this morning that left my fingers numb after only a few minutes.

I don’t know if it was the weather or possibly that the female ducks have started to nest but there was very little going on at the Fish Pond. Mid morning a Mallard drake landed in the center of the pond and nervously scanned the shoreline for any sign of friendly waterfowl. He found none and seemed very happy when a Wood Duck drake arrived just a few minutes after he did. He swam anxiously towards the new arrival and shadowed him as the Woody made his way through the overhanging branches along the southern bank.

They had been at the pond less than five minutes when they left in the same order they had arrived. The Mallard quacked several times and sprang from the water. The Wood Duck appeared to become very nervous being the only duck on the pond and he quickly departed in the same direction as the Mallard.

My friends the Kingfishers have returned. While they are nothing to brag about I did get pictures of both male and female (above) as they went through their customary nesting area departure and approach rituals. The female seemed to be sticking pretty close to the pond but the male disappeared through the trees several times to go hunting. Since I saw him returning with food at least twice I would guess he has found a pretty good fishing spot somewhere close by.

While I also caught glimpses of an immature Bald Eagle, a Great Blue Heron and what looked like some kind of Sandpiper the longest visit to the pond this morning was made by a Crested Cormorant. It was hard to conceal myself from him because he would travel so far underwater each time he dove that I would have to drastically shift my position when he surfaced.

I’m know he caught me moving the time he surface less than 15 feet in front of my blind. He was close enough that even if he didn’t notice my movements I’m confident he heard my whispered "Oh &#!*" when he popped up and surprised me.

I have made a couple of trips to check on my favorite eagle’s nest so far this spring and twice there has at least been one mature bird there. After my pond visit I decided to make my way there again to see if there was any activity but there was not. I know that this time last year they had eggs in the nest and I am surprised they do not seem to have any yet this season.

Even if you still have to wear an extra layer or two of clothes get out side and enjoy the fresh air. There are tons of great things to see, hear and enjoy that are sure to make you forget any lingering remnants of cabin fever.

As always, get outside and have a great one!

Kevin

2008-04-06T10:32:00.000-04:00

Even if there had been nothing at the Fish Pond this morning it was great just to be there taking it all in. The snow slowly retreating away from the warm morning sun, one of winters last shimmering frosts that seemed to linger just long enough to be noticed before disappearing, the sound of returning songbirds.

The waterfowl at the pond certainly know what time it is. When I arrived I could see a group of large white Common Mergansers working back and forth near the inlet stream. There were several drakes all sticking very close to one hen.

She seemed to have one in the group that had laid claim to her and he was busy making sure none of his rivals got to close. It was quite a chore since the others were determined not to get to far away from her.

There was a pair of small Buffleheads (below top) who spent the morning feeding and, along with a couple of Common Goldeneye hens (below bottom), they seemed to be enjoying unsettling the Mergansers activities with an occasional unexpected flight across the pond.

I was happy to see that the Wood Ducks have returned.

There were a couple of Drakes chasing each other through the branches along the shore. The winner must have impressed the lone hen that was there as once he had banished his competition to the outer reaches of the pond she allowed him to do his part to ensure the survival of the species.

She swam out into the open and lowered her head onto the surface and did not resist when he climbed on top of her. It took only a few seconds and they quickly made their way back to the safety of the shore.

Even the Trout know what time it is. I spent a little time watching as a small female cleared a spot to lay her eggs while her male companion vigorously defended her from other potential suitors.

It was a great morning to be outside enjoying the changing of the northern Michigan seasons. If you live in the north and are ready to shake off your annual case of cabin fever or if you live somewhere that spring is in full swing and need a little break just get out side. Even if it’s only to enjoy a quiet cup of coffee or a morning snack on the back porch you won’t find anything as good for the soul as a little time in the great outdoors!

Have a great one.

Kevin

2008-03-29T19:40:00.000-04:00

Even though we may get one or two more snowfalls there is now no doubt that spring has arrived at the Fish Pond.

I have been able to make two or three trips to the pond in the last week or so and there are new signs of life everywhere. You can hear songbirds again as they flitter around the edges of the pond and the intermittent tap, tap, tap of woodpeckers as they search the thawing trees for insects. The Squirrels are out in search of fresh food and I even noticed several insects skimming around the waters surface.

Cold crisp mornings like today still mean lots of ducks at the pond. Unfortunately it also means loud, crunchy and slippery snow which when combined with long shadows from the morning sun make it almost impossible to get into my photo blind without causing a mass departure of waterfowl. Something I try never to cause.

I was unhappy that they bolted before I could get into position to get any large group photos but I was happy to see my first Canadian goose of the season mixed in the departing flurry of feathers.

The Bald Eagles are around and very active. The immature I saw sitting in the tree with the mature one is still trying to shadow the elder birds every move. They arrived this morning and perched in a tree over the ponds inlet stream. The mature eagle screamed her displeasure at being followed but the younger bird was not deterred.

After the eagles departed, the young one only about ten feet behind the older, the few ducks that had stayed or returned to the pond ventured out in search of lunch and a nap.

One Merganser made his way to the mouth of the inlet stream to rest but suddenly decided to make a mad dash for cover when the eagles unexpectedly returned to the same perch they had occupied a half hour earlier.

When the young eagle attempted to land on the same branch as the mature one the older bird grabbed a beak full of its feathers. It not only caused the younger bird to find a seat elsewhere but apparently left a bad taste in the older birds beak.

Even though the woods may seem void of color and bland there are many exciting things going on in the springtime forest. The ground uncovered by the retreating snow quickly fills with the activity of animals that I’m sure are far more happy to see the arrival of spring than I will ever be.

Grab a coat and a pair of boots that you don’t mind getting muddy and go exploring. As always, every trip into the great outside world around you is an adventure just waiting to happen.

Have a great one.

Kevin

2008-03-15T09:15:00.000-04:00

With sunrise temperatures still well below freezing and a seemingly endless blanket of white still covering almost every inch of ground it may not appear as though spring is on the way but it is.

The thermometer is now making its way above freezing on a more regular basis and small signs of last years life are beginning to peek out from under the snow. Grass has started to appear at the waters edge and under a few trees. Soon larger hills that are in the open and exposed to the wind will begin to appear almost as if they are surfacing from below the silent winter waves.

The waterfowl certainly seem to know what time of year it is. The ducks that have been at the pond since my last post seem to be more active each time I manage a visit. The Goldeneye drakes are beginning to change into their summer plumage and are all busy trying to lay claim to the pond. There always seems to be at least one pair chasing each other back and forth across the pond.

The Mallard drakes are sticking very close to their hens go to great lengths to keep them away from any unattached male that wanders to close.

During these past two visits I have also seen at least three different eagles. One that looks like last years eaglet, one that I would guess is three or four years old, and my old banded friend.

This morning the mature bird and the youngest one were both perched in the same tree. Perhaps its one of her young from last year but I’ll bet that a month or so from now you won’t see that happening. Once the mature birds start to prepare for this year’s young they won’t tolerate any older offspring in their territory.

Because of the mini thaws the deer have been able to safely wander farther and farther out of the dense cedars in search of food. They are still moving in their large winter groups and for the most part look as though they have done ok through what some say has been a harder than normal winter.

Unfortunately the warm weather didn’t arrive at the Fish Pond soon enough for all of them.

This small deer might have died of starvation while trying to compete with larger deer for the meager amounts of winter food. It might have been that the cold combined with an injury or illness were more than it could take. Regardless of the cause scenes like these serve as a reminder of how hard and unforgiving life in the wild really is and how much animals depend on their natural habitat and a healthy ecosystem.

Fortunately for others its failure to survive could mean that they will. Birds and all other sorts of animals will benefit from the meals its carcass will provide over the next several days.

Melting snow uncovers lots hidden treasures. Signs of where many forest residents spent their winter are now easy to see. Last years deer antlers that have lay hidden in the snow will soon be uncovered and if your lucky enough to find one before the porcupines do it could be quite a prize.

As always, get outside. It’s the perfect cure for cabin fever!

Have a great one!

Kevin

2008-03-03T15:43:00.000-05:00

Old man winter certainly isn’t ready to depart northern Michigan yet but there are signs his grip might be starting to loosen a little.

Warmer temperatures and the temptation of even meager amounts of browsing are just enough to draw the local deer population out of the dense cedar swamps that surround many of the north woods lakes, rivers and ponds. A few days of above freezing temperatures is all it takes to soften up frozen twigs and provide hope to everything living that spring is indeed on the way.

After being blessed with hundreds of ducks to photograph during my last visit having only a half a dozen or so to watch this time seemed almost boring but it was still an excellent opportunity to learn something about them and how they live together.

Apart from one pair each of Mallards and Buffleheads that stopped briefly a small group of Goldeneyes were the only thing swimming on the pond. It started as a trio on one end of the pond and a single on the other. The single bird decided he would make his way toward the other three in hopes of introducing himself but the large male in the group apparently wasn’t in the mood for company.

He lowered his head and swam towards the newcomer in a manner that made it clear to even me that he wasn’t feeling sociable. The loner kept a respectable distance but it wasn’t far enough away to make the large male happy.

He started diving like he was feeding but he was actually trying a tactic I hadn’t seen before to rid himself of the intruder. He would disappear below the surface and a few seconds later ram the unwelcome duck from below sending it half running, half flying off to a distant corner of the pond.

While I was taking a break from trudging through the knee deep snow on my way home I began to wonder how many people these days actually take the time to enjoy a snowfall in the woods. How many have been able to take a minute to enjoy the silent fall of giant snowflakes that gently settle on motionless branches, cedar boughs and white pine needles. How many people cross an animal track in the snow and take a second to wonder where it goes.

If you live in the north and haven’t taken the time for a winter walk in the woods now is a great time of year to do so. It may surprise you and do you a world of good.

Get outside and enjoy! The price of a walk is one of the few things that hasn’t gone up!

Kevin

2008-02-13T10:31:00.000-05:00

While the signs of spring may already be starting to arrive elsewhere, here in northern Michigan the thermometer still rarely gets above thirty degrees. Actually, its spending about 98% of its time much closer to zero than it does anywhere near anything that would even seem warm.

It’s amazing to me that even though most of the woods around the pond appear almost lifeless covered in its unending blanket of snow there is life and beautiful detail if you know where to look. In the case of the Fish Pond a perfect example is the short stream that feeds into the pond.

The flow of water that helps keep the pond free of ice also provides an opportunity for a small amount of plant life to stay green throughout the harsh northern winter. The constant temperature of the stream water seems to keep the air just over it and along its banks warm enough for the moss that covers some of the rocks to remain green all year round providing promise that spring will eventually arrive here too.

The mix of water drops that get airborne as they bounce over the streams rocky bed and the freezing air that hovers just a foot or so away from the waters surface create the perfect opportunity for Mother Nature to turn the fallen branches and bank overhangs into a continuously changing canvas of small icy art. While they are not large and imposing they are incredibly impressive in their intricacies.

As always, get out there and try to enjoy the many beautiful wonders in the small details of the world around us. They are everywhere, you just have to slow down and take a few minutes to find them.

Stay warm and have a great one.

Kevin

Cold, Crunchy and Crowded

2008-02-08T08:03:00.000-05:00

Now most people with half a brain wouldn’t even think about heading out to sit in the snow when the temperature approaches zero. I’m a little nuts though and the inconveniences and discomforts caused by the frigid morning air proved to be worth the suffering.

After walking most of the way to my photo blind the radio station I was listening too reported that the temperature had risen to around a balmy four degrees Celsius. I stopped walking and was considering an about face when I spotted several large ducks over the tree line ahead. They dropped quickly from view and appeared to have landed on the pond.

Since I hadn’t expected to see much of anything today I figured I might as well sneak in and grab a couple of quick shots of them and maybe a few of any interesting snow and ice features regardless of the temperature.

The snow was so crusty and loud that I didn’t even try to get to my normal spot for fear of scaring off anything that was on the pond. Instead I made a wide circle through the woods, crossing several sets of fresh deer tracks, until I got to a spot I could make my way down to the lowest point of the ponds bank without being detected. As it turned out it was worth the effort to do so.

I thought it was impressive this fall when there were 30 or so ducks on the pond. Needless to say I was really impressed this morning when I caught my first glimpse of the waters surface and there were well over a hundred. They were everywhere!

Mallards, Mergansers, Buffle Heads, Goldeneyes, and even a group what I think were Gadwall (photo below, please feel free to add a comment to correct me if I’m wrong).

While it was hard to decide which group of birds to photograph I did get to see one behavior I haven’t seen before.

A pair of Mallards that had been along the bank made their way out onto the open water. The hen stopped about thirty yards from where I was and sat there lowering her head until her beak was just in or just above the water.

The drake turned and swam towards her bobbing his head up and down until he was right beside her. He then climbed up on top of her and lay there making sure she stayed under water for several seconds.

As I’m sure most people who would have witnessed this display would have reasoned, it appeared as though they were getting a jump on the mating season. But not being an expert on duck behavior that’s just a guess.

After almost two hours of sitting in the snow, my toes starting to burn from the cold, I decided to head for home. I managed to sneak away from the pond without causing a mass duck panic and hobble back to my vehicle and some warmth.

I mention the mass duck panic because it is very important to remember that wild animals need their space more now than any other time of year. Their winter survival depends on their ability to find food and maintain their fat and energy reserves. When they are forced to run or fly, even from well meaning people, it causes them to unnecessarily burn up these much needed reserves.

Even when it seems colder than cold life in the wonderful world around us goes on. While I won’t recommend that anyone who does not have lots of experience working in extremely cold weather venture out into the wild on days like today when its gets a little warmer, and if you have experienced guidance, get out there and enjoy the wonderful winter season!

Have a great one and please be sure to leave a comment if you enjoy my blog!

Kevin

2007-12-19T19:06:00.000-05:00

"Hey baby it’s cold outside" just like the song says.

It was just warm enough today to start melting the snow that has built up on the cedar tree branches. The drops fell steadily on the pond’s surface and everything is damp. It’s the kind of cold that takes several hours to shake no matter how many blankets you use once you get indoors. It was perfect duck weather though and that meant it was perfect duck hunting weather for eagles.

When I arrived there was a group of seven or eight Common Goldeneye ducks swimming nervously back and forth across the pond. I think they caught me trying to get into my blind and were uncomfortable about my presence. They did not take to the air right away though because they were far more uncomfortable about the two eagles who were in the area.

The eagles were clearly not looking for fish today. Appearing quickly from over the tree tops both the immature and mature eagle seemed to be hoping to surprise any unwary ducks that might be about. When they found no potential targets they only stayed long enough to make one or two circles around the pond before disappearing in the direction of another pond that is not to far away.

The only other birds I saw today was a lone Chickadee, one pair of Mallards and what I think was a Merganser who looked like he was going to land three different times but just couldn’t bring himself to do so.

Part of my problem with seeing things today was that my great summer blind isn’t a very good winter blind. This means I got to spend most of the morning looking for a new spot to shoot from. I did manage to find a couple of potential locations but only time will tell if they'll work.

Even though it’s cold it’s still great to get outside whenever you get the chance. Stress test your winter wear, go out and play in the snow! Unless you live where its warm then I suppose you’ll just have to suffer with the heat (sorry but I can't feel sorry for you if that's your predicament....lol).

Have a great day!

Kevin

Winter Comes to the Fish Pond

2007-12-11T11:35:00.000-05:00

Well I finally did it. With temperatures rising into the twenties I actually found the motivation to make my first winter trip to the Fish Pond.

While the lack of leaves and covering of snow create a completely new and interesting landscape they make it very hard to sneak into my photo spots. When I arrived there were about thirty ducks swimming around the pond but they saw me coming long before I got to my photo blind. When I got about halfway down the bank they took off en masse. All I saw of them was the white undersides of their flapping wings through the cedar trees that grow on the bank near my main blind.

Of course one good thing about snow in the woods is that you never have to wonder what kind of animals are around.

Everything from the smallest mouse scurrying from hole to hole to the largest deer looking for food leaves its footprints in the snow.

Even though I didn’t see the ponds Muskrat I know they are still around since I found their tracks in a couple of different locations.

I was also happy and quite surprised to see the Kingfishers still about. One male appeared to be hunting near the pond’s inlet stream but after not finding lunch there he flew off in the direction of a neighboring pond. He returned in less than a minute with a second, very noisy, Kingfisher in hot pursuit. Apparently the cold weather does not do much to improve their willingness to share hunting spots.

Since there is a continuos flow of water through the pond I doubt that it will completely freeze over except on the coldest of days. This is great for me as it means that there will probably be quite a bit of wildlife spending time here through the winter and now that I have gone once I will have no excuse for not going again.

Until then, if you want to have some fun, grab a book on animal tracks and get out into the snow! It’s the best time of year to learn just who you neighbors are!

Have a great one!

Kevin

OOPS!

2007-11-04T11:05:00.000-05:00

For some reason the post for the week of Oct. 23 didn't make it to where it was supposed to. (Operator, that's me, error) Better late than never I hope!

Cold gray skies filled with the feel of winter, trees exploding into fiery colors and a steady stream of noisy flights of Canadian geese headed south are unmistakable signals that summer has indeed come to an end.

Areas of the woods around the pond that a few weeks ago were too dense to see through are now beginning to open up as the leaves fall.

There are still a few trees that are still sporting their summer green but it is obvious that it won’t be long before they to decide to go dormant for the winter.

The young Mallard drakes are now able to show off their mature colors and appear to be feeling their oats. Every time a new pair of Mallards land on the pond the resident young males immediately make their way straight towards them and a small scuffle ensues.

I can’t figure out if they are trying to assert their claim on the pond or to see if they can somehow get the attention of any newly arrived hens.

As much as I hate to say it I haven’t seen any eagles or the pond’s Muskrats in quite a while. Usually when I make such a statement they show up the next time I visit. What I have seen though are Belted Kingfishers. They have found their way back to the pond and are splashing around and fighting with each other like it was spring.

My friend the Great Blue heron, which I have been mistakenly been calling a great gray, is still hanging around stuffing itself with trout and whatever else is unfortunate enough to wander within range of its dagger like beak. I have read that it is not unheard of for young herons not to make their way south. I hope that this one does not make that mistake. While its feathers are quite impressive I don’t think they are designed to protect it from the bitter northern cold.

On my way out yesterday I spent a few minutes walking around the pond enjoying the colors. These are a few of the shots I got.

Even though summer is over it certainly doesn’t mean that the whole world is going to sleep. There is still a lot to enjoy in the outside world. Get out there and find it!

Have a great day.

Kevin

2007-10-29T14:40:00.001-04:00

Well I suppose I went on and on enough about the fact that its fall in my last few posts. I’m sure that everyone in much of the Northern Hemisphere now knows what season it is.

There are still a few trees around the Fish Pond that are trying to hold on to what little color they can. The majority of the remaining leaves are in the upper portion of the Poplars and their reflection on the waters surface in the early sun was stunning. One last big yawn before the forest goes to sleep for the winter.

While my friend the heron has been very scarce my comment from last week about not seeing any eagles or muskrats was at least half correct. As I predicted, after guessing they were gone for the year, an eagle showed up this morning. It flew a few quick circles above the pond and when it didn’t see anything extremely interesting it left.

I actually didn’t see it immediately and might not have seen I at all had the Kingfisher I was photographing not seen it. He hunkered down onto the branch he was perched on and slowly turned his head to watch the eagle as it passed overhead. Nothing small, whether its covered in feathers or covered in fur, seems very comfortable when one of the friendly neighborhood eagles is around. Go figure?

Other than knowing that drakes go with hens and that they spend a lot of time resting and grooming I don’t know a whole lot about duck behavior. I know that Mallards at the pond today did a lot of things I have never seen them do before.

Head bobbing, fighting, posturing and diving. Not a quick splash under the water kind of dive. Today they were going under and staying down for extended periods of time. One pair dove and did not resurface for almost thirty seconds.

My guess is that, at least some of them, are pumped full of energy and ready to begin their long flight south. I’ll have to do a little research to see if I can learn a little more about this sudden change in the normally passive Mallards behavior.

No matter what the time of year there always seems to be something new to learn at the Fish Pond. Even if it’s only finding out something as small as why young ducks behave the way they do take the time to educate yourself. The real lesson you’ll learn is a healthy respect for the wonderful world around you.

Get out their and learn something new today! Its one of the funnest things to do in the great outdoors!

Have a great week!

Kevin

2007-10-08T20:31:00.001-04:00

Mornings this time of year in northern Michigan should be cool, clear and frosty. The recent weather has been anything but that though.

Warm humid nights and cloudy mornings make for terrible wildlife photography opportunities at the Fish Pond. The warm dew laden air combined cool water surface turn the pond into a giant fog generator. It has been impossible to see more than a third of the way across the pond during the majority of my time spent there this week. I know there are ducks their since I have watched them disappear into the mist when they land. Beyond that though they remain out of sight along the banks until the fog subsides.

The fog drifts back and forth with the breeze and doesn’t clear until about eleven a.m. or noon when the sun finally makes its way over the tree tops to burn it off. As it retreats it covers the leaves on the lower branches of the trees and the spider webs that are strung between the branches of dead trees with what appears to be an extremely heavy dew.

Fortunately the fog doesn't seem to encroach up onto the shoreline so I had a chance to sneak around and grab a few shots of some of the plant life near my spot.

Even a slight breeze now causes the leaves to fall by the bushel. The combination of morning fog and the steady falling of leaves seem to have the ducks that are hanging about very nervous. The jump and fly the length of the pond at the drop of a hat these days.

After not seeing one in quite some time one of my favorite birds made a brief appearance this morning. A Belted Kingfisher landed in a tree on the bank directly opposite from my blind. It spent a little time watching a group of Mallards feed directly below it before it disappeared into the trees.

By next week I’m sure the pond will have a whole new look to it. A few trees will still be hanging in their and refusing to let go of their summers work but for the most part I’m sure that almost all traces of summer will be gone.

If you live in the northern regions of the USA or the southern reaches of Canada get outside and enjoy the colors while they last. Let them be your inspiration to do something creative.

Have a great one.

Kevin

Fall Showers

2007-10-01T15:52:00.000-04:00

Unlike a spring shower that warms you with thoughts of the coming summer, rainy fall days carry with them the first true chill of the approaching winter.

My friend the heron has remained very close to the pond all week and he seems to have become very tolerant of me. He often sits where there is no doubt he can see me moving around the banks of the pond but I don't seem to bother him enough that he feels scared enough to leave the pond. He does keep his distance though and I won’t be trying to get to close to that beak of his anytime soon.

If the weather follows our typical fall pattern there will probably be plenty of steady light rains over the next couple of weeks. When it does rain now the clash of warm rain and cold pond water causes a layer of fog to rise and drift over the water’s surface.

The ducks don’t seem to be at all thrilled about fog. They appear nervous and when the fog thins they are usually huddled together somewhere just far enough off the shore to be safe from any danger that might spring out of the trees.

The heron didn’t seem to mind the shifting levels of visibility too much. He flew across the pond and back a couple of times hunting and fishing in different areas along the bank. When it got thick enough that I almost lost sight of him he just seemed to hunker down on a perch and wait it out.

All these weeks of photographing the different types of interesting wildlife around the pond you would think that the small common songbirds wouldn’t be something I would be very interested in. It’s certainly not that I have not been interested in them. It’s that they are danged hard to get a good shot of!

I finally got a couple of them that I thought might be worth sharing though.

Take advantage of the remaining warm weather. Grab an umbrella and go for a walk! It’s a great season to be outside!

Kevin

Night at the Fish Pond

2007-09-28T09:58:00.000-04:00

Since the summer sun doesn't go down until late I've not had many chances to make a night trip to the Fish Pond. Now that the days have begun to grow shorter I hope to have more opportunities to explore this world of shadows, reflections and sounds.

During this last full moon I got out and took a walk around the pond. The lack of color gives you the chance to pay attention to some interesting details that are naturally black and white.

The sawtooth shilouette of a tree leaf.

The reflection of the moon on the waters surface among the floating moss.

I can't wait to spend some time honing my low light photography skills around the pond.

Have a great one and don't forget, not the whole world sleeps just because the sun goes down.

Kevin

It's Heron Season

2007-09-24T15:21:00.001-04:00

There seems to be a few less ducks hanging around the pond during my last couple of visits. This morning there were only two and they stayed close to the shore on the opposite side of the pond.

It would seem that early fall is the season of the heron at the Fish Pond.

There has been at least one and as many as three of the large birds hanging around for the last two or three weeks. Watching how they interact at first I thought it was an older pair trying to run off a younger bird, perhaps one of their offspring. If that is the case it appears as though it hasn't worked. The younger bird seems to have decided he's gone far enough and has laid claim to the pond.

All three of the herons were around this morning and the one I have thought to be the younger bird was the one doing the chasing.

One of what I think is the older birds was stalking around near the ponds inlet stream to my right when the other two glided in from over the tree tops on my left. The older one landed in the water while what I have assume is the younger one maneuvered his way into the trees on the opposite bank.

The older bird waded around for a bit the hopped up onto what I am going to start calling the community tree since it is used by just about every kind of bird that visits the pond.

It sat there for more than half an hour watching the water and moving only slightly a couple of times. All at once he lurched forward and into the water so fast it startled me.

He came up with a small trout that he held for a minute or two then swallowed in one quick gulp.

While he shook out his feathers and cleaned his beak the younger bird snuck along the bank until it felt it was in the perfect position to jump at the other adult bird that was hunting near the stream. The older bird took off and made a beeline to the lowest point in the tree line where it disappeared. The younger bird then almost immediately went after the remaining adult driving it off as well.

He spent a few minutes strutting around the shallow area of the pond before one of the adults returned. It came in very low from my left and went straight at the one that had chased him only moments earlier. He did his best eagle imitation, flying right up to the younger bird with its feet fully extended and sounding off like it was going to land on him. Stopping just short of his target he reversed course in mid air and left from the way he came.

If the plan was to reclaim his fishing spot it didn’t work. The younger bird stayed put working his way in and out of the stream opening until I had to leave.

Of course chances are that I have my entire picture of the situation wrong. It could well be that what I feel is the younger bird could actually be the adult and the others its young. I get the feeling that I will be researching Great Gray Herons in more detail in the near future.

At any rate it I don’t know if it’s possible to adequately describe how beautiful these large birds are as the fly around the pond in the early morning light. When the fly near you its almost like you can feel the air pushing from under their wings more than you hear it. It is a truly amazing thing to be a part of.

Get outside and find your own amazing part of the world. Life is all around you just have to get out there and find them.

Have a great one.

Kevin

Its Busy at the Fish Pond

2007-09-17T17:19:00.000-04:00

Some days its just nice to sit and watch the leaves float by.

After a little bit of cool weather the woods are truly beginning to take on the look of fall. There is still a lot of green in the treetops but it seems easier to see through the forest as many leaves have begun to droop before their inevitable demise. The first few spots of color are spreading and are taking on the full brilliance of the season.

The wildlife that depends on the pond seems to be taking it all in stride. Many of the ducks that have been here for the past couple of weeks are still around. They come and go spending their time here feeding and resting.

The juvenile heron doesn’t seem to take a hint as well as the young eagles apparently have. While this years eaglets were persuaded to leave mom and dads hunting area several weeks ago the adult Great Gray Herons still spend a lot of time chasing and harassing their newest addition to the world. I’m not sure whether they are trying to force it to move on or something else but it certainly doesn’t seem to be getting whatever message they are trying to send.

Even after being run off repeatedly he always seems to show back up in search of a meal. He certainly has the appetite of a growing teenager and is probably lucky to have been born near such a prime fishing spot as the Fish Pond.

Of course now that I have posted that I have not seen my friend the adult Bald Eagle in awhile he shows up. He landed on his normal perch and spent a few minutes grooming himself before leaving. Actually I don’t think he was expecting my new blind. That and a little motion from the camera lens where probably just enough to make him feel it wise to perch somewhere else.

It seems like I saw every species of bird I have ever seen at the pond before at one point or another this week. I even saw a few I could not identify. I’m sure this is another sign that fall is now in motion here in northern Michigan as I am sure it is in areas all along the nations northern boundary.

If you’re a fall colors fan try something different this year.

Leave the car and take a quiet early morning walk in the woods this season. Pick up a frost-covered leaf and enjoy the pattern of the ice crystals that cover its surface. Blow on it and watch as you’re warm breath melts them away like a time lapse film. Look up from under a tree that is in full color and find yourself marveling at the vivid color and detail brought out by the late morning sun. (Don’t look directly into the sun, just at the leaves) Sit quietly for thirty minutes and count how many different types of wildlife you see scurrying about.

You could be surprised not only by what you see but also by how nice you feel at lunchtime.

Have a great one! Get out and enjoy some of Mother Nature’s finest artwork!

Kevin

An Hour With My Friend The Heron

2007-09-14T08:57:00.000-04:00

Now that fall is here there seems to be more opportunities to visit the Fish Pond. Yesterday I tried shooting from a new spot and wound up about thirty yards from a perched Great Gray Heron.

These are a few of the shots I got.

Feel free to let me know what you think of them.

Get outside and enjoy!

Kevin

Ducks, Ducks, Ducks

2007-09-09T17:07:00.000-04:00

Since the end of the mating season there have not been a great number of ducks hanging around the pond. Not until this week anyway.

Arriving in groups of two to four birds there were Wood Ducks and Mallards everywhere. They were grooming themselves, eating and resting on the trees all around the edge of the pond. Everytime I though I knew how many were there a couple of new ones would pop out. Twenty two was the highest count I got.

Since ducks are one of the favorite prey animals of most Bald Eagles I am surprised that they have not been around. The ducks certainly don't seem to mind their absence and they are taking advantage the piece and quiet.

The young Great Gray Heron is also capitalizing on the late summer feeding opportunities at the pond.

After being surprised at the size of the last couple of fish I have seen him catch I was amazed at one I saw him tackle this week! It was so big I think he was embarrassed to be seen gulping it down.

He dragged it way up onto the bank and made a couple of attempts to swallow it whole. When he couldn't get it down he made his way back to the edge of the pond for a drink to wash the dirt off of his beak and possibly to lubricate his throat.

After wandering over to look at a smaller dead fish that the crows and a seagull had been feeding on he moved the larger fish up behind several trees and after three more attempts finally got it down.

When I was young my mother used to tell me I must have had a hollow leg to be able to eat as much as I did. Since even if a heron's legs were hollow this fish would never have fit into one I began to wonder just how much stomach a heron actually has.

When he jumped back up on his perch to let his lunch start to digest you could see the rough shape of the fish's tail still in his throat. I put together the before and after lunch illustration to see if I could show that this bird really is just about all stomach.

I am guessing that the reappearance of the large number of ducks means that fall migrations are soon to begin. Hopefully not too soon though as they are fun to watch as they move about the pond.

It's a great time of year to get outside and enjoy the world around you. The weather is crisp in the mornings and warm in the afternoon and evening. The woods are starting to show their colors and the wildlife is very active as the animals prepare for winter.

Don't miss it! Get out and explore!

Have great one.

Kevin

September Rain

2007-09-04T23:24:00.000-04:00

As summer comes to an end it sheds a tear as yet another sign that fall has arrived.

While April brought spring showers September brings fall rains. They give the landscape a final drink and feed the blooms of the few flowering plants remaining before our thoughts turn to winter.

Signs that cold weather is on the way are all around now. The first small patches of colors in the trees grow almost daily. Ferns in the fields and woods around the pond have turned golden brownand large groups of Canadian Geese either beginning to move south or strengthening their wings in preparation for their annual journey have passed over the pond on several occasions.

While there are always songbirds around the pond today their where many more than usual.

Perhaps it was the rain or perhaps they too are preparing to migrate. Whatever the reason, they seemed to be having a lot of fun chasing each other around from tree to tree or arguing over the prime perches. Having fun until the young Great Gray Heron showed up anyway.

Unlike last week the young heron came in without its parental escort. It spent about fifteen minutes hunting near the pond’s inlet stream before taking off and circling its way to the treetops and then departing.

It came back about thirty minutes later and perched on a dead branch that surprised me when it didn’t break under his weight. He went into his standard grooming routine and I was beginning to think about sneaking out of my blind to head for home when something caught his attention.

From the way he cowered down at first I thought one of the eagles must have gone over the pond. I was very surprised when one of the adults appeared from my left and made a beeline for the tree in which the younger bird was perched. When the adult was to close to be able to change his direction the younger bird dived off his perch and quickly departed the pond. Apparently its time for juvenile heron to make its own way in the world and dad has been busy letting him know it.

Dad hung around long enough to groom himself a little before taking off to chase junior again when he circled the pond just before sunset.

If I had to bet I’d say that posts in the near future will be full of colors and hopefully photos of new birds as they stop by to visit the pond on their way south.

Get outside and enjoy!

Kevin

Bonus Post, The Pond in B&W

2007-08-30T14:17:00.000-04:00

While experimenting with some other black and white images I thought I would try working with a couple from the blog. To me the black and white gives the images a different dimension and enhances some of the details that might get overlooked in the color version.

The color versions of some of these images were used previously in the blog and the others were ones that did not get used in the week they were taken. Please leave me a comment to let me know what you think.

To Much of a Good Thing?

2007-08-27T10:35:00.000-04:00

Now most people would be happy to have three Great Gray Herons and several different types of ducks hanging out within photo range but believe it or not I started to find myself quite bored with the whole situation. I guess having them around so often has me spoiled.

My first trip this week went pretty much like the last several. The young Great Gray Heron seems to have decided that it is comfortable at the pond and likes to spend a good deal of its morning here. Unlike the older birds it doesn’t seem to hunt here a lot though. Just lots of time grooming, resting and stretching its wings, ho-hum.

I was ready to give it up when as if on cue something new showed up to save the day.

I have never seen a hawk at the pond before this one. The herons definitely kept an eye on him while he was around but they were not nearly as anxious as they are when an eagle is in the area. His visit was brief but it was like that one good golf shot you make on the last hole of a terrible round. It’s just the kind of thing it takes to keep me coming back.

I had decided on my way to the pond for my second visit of the week that it was time to try to find a new spot to shoot from. I got there late and after two hours with absolutely no wildlife at the pond I thought it would be the perfect time to explore.

I did manage to find one location that, with a little work, might be okay. Of course now that I was about as far away from my regular blind as possible the ponds birds all started to show up.

The young heron and one of its parents were the first. They appeared as shadows in the trees above me as they circled their way down towards the water. The older bird took up a perch in the comunity pine tree while the younger bird found a spot near the pond’s inlet stream.

I slowly started making my way back to my blind and managed to make it without scaring off either parent or offspring. Luckily for me the young herons survival instinct seems to be to sit very still rather than to immediately take flight. Since the adults are not yet inclined to leave the youngster this behavior makes it much easier to photograph these normally very temperamental birds.

The young one now seems to have a much greater understanding of the dangers that come from above. It remembers to look up frequently and when large birds soar over it knows to keep an eye on them. The only time it seems to vocalize though is when an eagle is in the area. It appears the lessons learned as a result of the young eagles recent attempts to have him for lunch have sunk in.

Just as it was beginning to look like today wouldn’t be any more interesting than last few the herons suddenly became quite alert. The adult Bald Eagle came over the tops of the trees and gave the pond and the herons a quick once over. Deciding that he wasn’t up to making an attempt at the herons he landed on his favorite perch.

He was only there for about fifteen seconds though before he rolled backwards and flew off in chase of the young eagle who must have been right behind him when he came into the pond. Apparently the young bird hasn’t gotten the message yet that it is time to stretch its wings and strike out on its own.

One thing I did notice was that the mature eagle had several white feathers stuck to its breast. My original thought was that there might be a reason there were only two herons today. It also brought to mind the fact that I haven’t seen a seagull at the pond in a couple of weeks, hmmm.

It turned out that my visits to the pond this week were as interesting and educational as always. I guess I just need to keep being patient and paying attention to the world around me.

Have a great one! Get outside and enjoy!

Kevin

Pretty Quiet at the Fish Pond

2007-08-20T12:56:00.000-04:00

Forest fires, boat races and other news events have kept me very busy and I only managed to make one visit to the pond this week.

When I got to the pond there were seven or eight Wood Ducks and Mallards scattered around. They were all very nervous and since I didn't notice any eagles or other large birds around I thought it was because of my less than stealthy approach.

With the lack of rain here in my area the banks of the pond are very, very dry. I got to take the express route part way down the slope to my blind when I hit a spot of dry dirt an slipped. Even though there was no one anywhere near me I will admit that I still popped right up and was quite embarrassed.

After dusting off my backside and my ego I spent a little time making note of the first color changes in the leaves and the late summer flowers that are blooming not only near my blind but all around the pond.

What I didn't see until it was to late to get a photo was the young Bald Eagle that has been hanging around the pond lately. I just caught a glimpse of it when the pine limb it had been perched on shook violently as he lifted off.

The other thing I hadn't noticed was the Great Gray Heron that was huddling in the same tree about twenty feet below where the eagle had been.

Since the heron was very much exposed I take it that the young raptor, while still intrigued with the thought of the heron, has decided it might be to big for him to handle. Intrigued is probably not the heron's opinion of the whole situation though and when the immature eagle drifted over the pond an hour or so later he tilted his head up and voiced his thoughts to the young bird of prey.

After two hours of watching the the heron stretch, groom and rest I was ready to try to sneak out of my blind and head for home. The heron was hungry though and decided to liven things up with a little fishing.

It only took him about thirty seconds to grab a small trout then start looking for another. I was surprised at how fast he spotted his second target and really surprised by how big the fish he brought up was.

I couldn't believe he managed to swallow the thing. I can see how herons have been known choke to death on prey that is too large.

After inhaling the larger part of his lunch he hopped up into the woods and out of my sight. He reappeared a few minutes later when he jumped up onto a branch in the dead Tamarack tree that stands near the ponds inlet stream.

He cleaned his beak, burped up some sort of liquid a couple of times and then left when something on the far end of the pond startled him.

While it wasn't the most exciting trip to the pond it was as always interesting. Always something new to see and hear.

Get outside and explore! Its a wonderful world!

Have a great one.

Kevin

Beginning to Smell Like Fall

2007-08-13T17:02:00.000-04:00

At the Fish Pond it seems a little cooler, the sun takes a little longer to make its way over the tree tops in the morning and this years babies have become this years juveniles. All signs that the end of summer will soon be here in northern Michigan.

While I haven’t seen the baby ducks from a few weeks ago other duck families have winged their way back to the pond. A male Wood Duck, less his colorful spring plumage but still very handsome, has also found his way back home.

The major event of note this week was the encounter I got to observe between a young hunter and a family of herons. Unfortunately it happened so fast I didn’t have the opportunity to get any photos of it.

I arrived a little late and had trouble getting set up to shoot. I was happy that I hadn’t spooked the ducks feeding at the far end of the pond and if I was lucky I hoped they would make their way closer to my photo blind. While I was trying to determine what kind and how many waterfowl were visiting that morning the water’s surface filled with large shadows followed immediately by the distressed calls of a Great Gray Heron.

It was actually three herons, what I assume was a juvenile and its parents. The juvenile was circling down into the pond with a young Bald Eagle trying to attack it from above while the older herons tried to drive it away.

The exchange lasted for just a few seconds and ended as fast as it began when one of the adult herons made a determined stab at the eagle with its beak. The young raptor decided right away that it did not wish to tangle with what must have seemed to him to be a very large flying dagger.

What I assumed was an older heron and the one who had been the subject of the attack landed a large branch that overhangs the pond off to my right while the remaining heron chased the young eagle into a pine tree to the left.

After several awkward moments on the branch what I assume was the younger bird sought cover in the trees that hide the ponds inlet stream while the older one took up a perch near the stream about 20 feet above the water.

After the young eagle departed to search for an easier meal the third heron made its way to the far end of the pond. All three of them spent the better part of the next hour or so sitting still moving only to occasionally groom themselves or look upward to watch for predators.

At one point the young one decided to try to perch on the overhanging branch again. This was not something that went over very well with at least one of the older birds who promptly made its way across the pond and drove the young bird back into hiding.

After a little more sitting still one of the older birds decided it was safe to hunt for lunch and the younger bird was allowed to emerge from the safety of trees to practice his perching abilities.

This peace and tranquility didn’t last for long though and when a mature eagle showed up over the pond all three made a hasty retreat for a quieter place to spend their afternoon.

Unlike many I always look forward to the signs of change. Fall is my favorite season and I love the feel in the air as it approaches.

Get outside and enjoy the summer while you can! The world around us will soon be changing and with these changes come lots of new and exciting things to discover.

Have a great one!

Kevin

Changes

2007-08-06T09:34:00.000-04:00

There seems to be a lot of changes taking place at the Fish Pond these days.

The adult Kingfishers have not been around at all in the last week and a half but there does appear to be at least one young one hanging around practicing its fishing. It bounces around the edge of the pond exploring different perches and occassionally returning to the area where I believe the older birds had nested.

The three baby ducks that had been here last week appear to have been reduced to one. I don't know if this means that the hen tried to lead them to larger water and one got left behind or if the other two fell victim to one of the hunters that frequent the pond. It could be that the other two have simply not left the safety of their hiding place during my visits.

The Muskrat's that live under the spot where I normally sit have apparently decided that I'm not a great threat. They spent almost an hour the other day venturing out to gather grass and leaves to pack into their den. They seemed to be comfortable enough to swim within three feet of me on several occasions.

I wish I could say that my being allowed to observe them from such a close and personal distance was because I was so stealthy that they didn't realize I was there. That thought quickly disappeared though when the largest one propped himself up onto the tree branch over the den entrance, about six feet from my spot, and looked at me before heading out for one of his trips.

Their sudden bravery may be an indication that life on the pond is shifting from the work of raising young to the work of preparing for the long winter that will inevitably come.

Some things will never change though and I don't know whether to feel sorry for the Seagulls or just roll my eyes because they will never learn.

As has happened on several previous occasions one of the area seagulls successfully managed to grab a fish from the shallow area near the pond's inlet stream. This one still had some life in it though and was not ready to give up easily.

After dragging it up onto the bank then chasing back down to the water a couple of times he "once again" discovered that his eyes were bigger than his stomach. This meant that "once again" all of his hard work would only go to provide an easy meal for someone else. In this case a lucky bald eagle.

While I'm still trying to figure out whether there is more than one Great Blue Heron frequenting the pond one of them showed up for its afternoon meal as well. While they normally hunt along the shoreline this one must have spotted its prey from a high perch or while in flight.

It came in and landed in water that came almost up to its stomach. It then went directly out into even deeper water to grab its lunch. It wandered around the popular shallows, spent a little time cleaning its beak and resting before taking flight.

Regardless of the reason for the changes these new observations are some great examples of what you can discover if you are still, quiet and invest a little time in enjoying the world around you.

Get outside and have a great one.

Kevin

Huey, Louie and Dewey

2007-07-30T12:49:00.000-04:00

I spent many, many hours this spring waiting for the waterfowl that frequent the pond to show up with their young. Even though a pair of visiting geese had their goslings with them for a couple of days I was truly disappointed that none of the ducks that used the pond during their mating season had returned with ducklings.

None until yesterday that is. I don't know how old the are or how long they have been here but there are, for the time being, baby ducks on the pond.

I first saw them after a Mallard hen came in for a landing. She disappeared into the overhanging branches about three quarters of the way across the pond and the three ducklings appeared almost immediately. Just barely visible they began scurrying around the far end of the pond searching for food.

After watching them for almost four hours they finally made their way along the edge of the pond and came fairly close to my blind. Mother, however, seemed to know that I was there and when they got to close she steered them away with a quiet chattering call.

During my first visit to the pond this week everything seemed to be on edge. I don't know if it was the weather or if something had happened before I arrived but everyone appeared very nervous.

My friend the Bald Eagle made several appearances. He didn't stay more than a minute or two at any one time though. Oddly the ravens were also absent. They are normally around harassing the eagle regardless of what else is going on.

The Green Heron appeared just before I left and even it was on edge. It landed in the spot it usually does when it begins to hunt but it immediately ran up onto the bank. It made two or three short flights through the trees within the span of about a minute before crossing the pond and landing high in a tall tree off to my right.

He stayed there for about fifteen seconds before flying away and I took advantage of the lack of activity to make my exit.

Regardless of the tension around the pond on my first visit the surprising appearance of the ducklings made the week on the Fish Pond a good one.

Get outside and find your own surprises! They are all around you if you just take a look!

Have a great one.

Kevin

The Little Things

2007-07-23T08:36:00.000-04:00

Although I generally focus my attention on the wildlife that visits the pond there is a lot more to observe and discover if one just takes a second or two to look.

On your next trip outside just find a quiet spot to sit. After ten or fifteen minutes of peace and quiet to get your brain slowed down a little, get up and do a quick inventory of what is around the spot where you were seated. You might be surprised at the things you didn't notice while you were sitting there.

The morning dew on mid-summer daisies.

Wild raspberries that almost seem to glow as the first ray's of sunlight make their way down through the tree tops.

I can't help but notice that there are never more than a few ripe ones present at any one time. I would guess that they are a favorite snacking stop for many of the birds that live in the woods around the pond.

It could be as something as small as a variety of grass you never noticed before.

Or a new color in the small wildflowers that are scattered through a nice stand of hardwoods.

Sometimes its just neat the way the sunlight shines through the leaves.

Regardless of what you set out to find during your next trip outdoors be sure to take a few minutes to notice the things you might not be looking for.

Remember, there's more to the wild than just wildlife. Get out there and enjoy it!

Kevin

Rainy Day Bonus Post

2007-07-21T09:49:00.000-04:00

Thursdays visit to the pond didn't start out all that great but it wound up being fun as usual.

I didn't get out until late this morning so when I arrived my friend the eagle was already there. I could see him through a small opening in the leaves perched in his favorite tree. Since I couldn't approach the edge of the pond while he was there I had to wait until he took off after a seagull that had been sitting on the pond before I could set up.

Watching the weather radar before I headed out it looked like the storms making their way across Lake Michigan were going to stay to the north of the pond.

Of course I could have been wrong....

Other than one molting Mallard drake and a very brief visit from an eagle the only animal that saw fit to brave the waves of showers and thunderstorms that rolled over the pond was one I have not seen here before.

If you live on either coast of the U.S. or fish in the central section of North America you have probably seen a Cormorant of one type or another. In this neck of the woods fishermen hate them. They always seem to get more than their fair share of the blame for the shrinking fish population in many local lakes. Given their reputation for having such large appetites I was certainly glad that there was only one of them.

Even though everything I found about Cormorant's says their wings are not very oily his wings seemed to be coated in enough to lubricated a small car engine. He certainly wasn't bothered by a little rain!

Remember, on all types of days, in all kinds of weather life goes on everywhere around you! Get out and enjoy it!

Have a great one.

Kevin

Lunchtime at the Fish Pond

2007-07-16T12:34:00.000-04:00

I usually get to the fish pond between 8 and 9 a.m. and sit until about eleven. One of my visits to the fish pond this week was much longer than normal though.

The pond was very quiet until about 10:30 when a lone seagull arrived. He quickly spotted a dead or dying fish near the inlet stream and headed right for it. He attempted to swallow it whole but because of its size he had to drag it up onto the bank so he could try to devour it in pieces.

Unfortunately his meal was interrupted when a Great Blue Heron showed up.

The heron saw the gull and its meal almost immediately and made it clear to the much smaller bird that he would be taking charge of the mornings dining duties.

After driving off the gull the heron made a few hops to different perches around the pond before returning to down his stolen lunch.

While cleaning up after his meal he suddenly but slowly crouched down behind the leafy branches where he was perched.

He had seen the soaring approach of an adult Bald Eagle and was doing his best to make himself as small as possible.

The eagle perched in one of the hardwood trees directly across from my photo blind. He either didn't notice or was ignoring both myself and the heron for the most part.

For the better part of the next four hours the heron and I sat as still as possible. Me keeping one eye on him and the other on the eagle while he stayed fixated on the predator who was casually grooming itself just fifty yards away from him.

Whether the eagle wasn't hungry or just didn't feel like tangling with the large heron he finally departed. A few minutes later the heron stepped out of his hiding spot and stretched his legs. He started to fish but when the eagle showed itself above the pond again he made a hasty exit from the area.

It was a very interesting and educational visit. It was amazing to see how relaxed the eagle was during the whole encounter. He was diffinatly in charge of the situation and on his own schedule. The heron's actions showed that he clearly understood he could be the bully one minute and then have to do his best to keep himself from becoming lunch the next.

Its all part of the wonderful world around us. You just have to take charge of your own schedule and get out there to enjoy it.

Have a great one!

Kevin

2007-07-10T13:07:00.000-04:00

I was sure my first visit to the Fish Pond after a week and a half absence would be a rather boring one.

My hope was that I would be able to put together a few photos of the usual ducks and gulls in a way that was at least halfway interesting. I wasn't even done setting up my blind though when the opportunity to get something above average appeared in the form of a Great Heron.

I first saw his reflection on the waters surface to my left as he dropped down from the top of the tree line and then glided the length of the pond. He settled onto a large fallen tree directly across from my blind and after surveying the pond for danger he disappeared onto the bank.

Taking advantage of his not being able to see me I finished setting up my blind and then settled in to wait for him. He reappeared in almost the same place he had originally disappeared. He was moving slowly and was obviously in his hunting mode. He made a quick stab at the water next to the tree he had first landed on and I expected him to come up with a fish.

I was very surprised when he lifted his beak and there was something small and furry stuck on the end of it. He had used his beak like a spear and it took him a couple of minutes to get his lunch free enough to eat it.

After enjoying his breakfast he flew back towards me, harassing a resting seagull on the way, and perched on the dead tree that the Kingfishers usually bathe from.

He was there for less than a minute when we both noticed the young Bald Eagle that was crossing high above the pond. He seemed more nervous than I thought a young eagle would have made him and he took off and left as soon as the young raptor was out of sight.

When the young eagle did not reappear right away I thought it had probably just kept flying and if I was lucky he would show himself again in an hour or so. Evidently he had landed in one of the trees further up the bank to my right. While I could not see him the Raven's that had spent most of the morning raising cane on the far end of the pond could.

They came out of the tree tops in flights of three's. Nine of them in total. They flew directly to the trees over the ponds inlet stream and their calls turned to the harassing ones I have heard them use before when they are attempting to drive away an eagle. The young eagle almost immediately started to chatter the way that they do when they are cornered. I was feeling bad for him until I heard a second eagle screaming from almost directly above me.

I had not seen the mature bird arrive but it might have been the reason the Heron had left in such a hurry. I didn't actually see it until it was at the waters edge where the stream enters the pond. It must have come down while I trying to locate its young friend in the leaves.

He had caught a medium sized trout and had started to devour it. The crows quickly abandoned their taunting of the younger bird and dropped down to see if they could steal a morsel of the elder birds meal.

Has not in the mood to share though and grasping the fish in his talons he took flight and crossed no more than forty feet in front of my blind on his way to a quieter spot to enjoy his mid morning meal.

It was not the kind of morning I had anticipated but it was certainly one of the best visits I have ever made to the pond. I am hoping that the young bird being so unusually close the an adult is a sign that it might be one of the young from the nest near here. If it is I hope to be able to see it again before it ventures off to find its way in the world.

Get outside and explore! Its a wild and exciting place!

Kevin

A Few of My Favorite Photos From Years Past

2007-07-02T10:46:00.000-04:00

Since I have been photographing the wildlife at the Fish Pond for a couple of years longer than I have been writing this blog I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite images from the last couple of years.

Immature Bald Eagles like this one are regular visitors to the pond. I wish I could get them to wear name tags though so I knew if the same birds were returning from year to year.

Trout are predators and if you ever get to see a group of large ones feeding you'll believe it.

I always knew that Canadian Geese could get grumpy but I never realized just how grumpy until I watched this exchange one spring morning in 2006.

Ducks of all shapes and sizes call the Fish Pond home and still photography captures their beauty like no other medium.

While there is the occassional furry creature that ventures down to the water they usually prefer the hardwoods that reside above the ponds banks.

I hope you enjoyed these pictures as much as I have enjoyed taking them.

Get outside and discover something new and wonderful about the world around you.

Kevin

2007-06-25T13:01:00.000-04:00

Sometimes its the everyday things you take for granted that can bring you the greatest delight. Playing hide and seek with the Seagulls and watching them feed during one of my visits to the pond this week was a perfect reminder of that.

I've made it a goal to find a better spot to photograph the local Kingfishers from. After finding a suitable place next to ponds inlet stream I setup my temporary blind to wait for them to begin their daily hunting excursions. Unfortunately they must have spotted my setup since they took great pains to avoid the perch I was watching.

While I have yet to have any luck getting the shot I want I have seen plenty of other wildlife to keep it interesting including regular visits from the local seagulls.

Like most people who live anywhere near water I see sea gulls on a daily basis. I have gotten so used to seeing them getting free handouts I sometimes forget what a beautiful bird they are when observed in a more natural setting. They also seem surprisinly intelligent as far as birds go.

The first Seagull to appear last Saturday did so quickly and quietly. I hadn't noticed that floating only twenty feet or so away from me in the shallow area next to the flow of the inlet stream was a dead trout. The Seagull saw it almost immediately from half way across the pond and made a bee line right for it.

The fish looked to be about ten inches long and I certainly didn't think the gull would be able to swallow it whole. I was partially right.

He got the whole thing down into his throat but only for a few seconds. It came back out faster than it went in.

It didn't discourage him to much though. He took off , did two low level laps around the pond and landed again right next to the floating fish. This time he was only about fifteen feet in front of me and ready to try it again.

While maneuvering the fish around to get it into a swallow-able position he suddenly noticed my quick and dirty blind. He dropped the fish right where it was and jumped from the water taking flight directly away from my position. Between his apparent frustration with the size of the fish and his uneasiness with my presence he didn't even bother to circle the pond as the gulls normally do when they depart. He just aimed for the lowest point in the tree line and left.

Thirty minutes or so later, what I assume was the same gull showed up again. After that length of time I would have expected he might have forgotten where he had noticed me at or possibly even where the fish was.

He hadn't though. He came back in from directly over my spot and began to circle into the pond. His first time around was just above the top of the tree line then the next time around a little bit lower. The procedure usually includes about three laps before they land. This time he made about ten partial trips around making sure to keep his distance from my location. When he did finally land it was out in the center of the pond.

He settled into the water directly behind the dead Tamarack tree that sat at the waters edge just of to my right. He stayed there for well over half an hour and we played the waiting game. Him keeping one eye on me through the branches and one on the Raven's that flew back and forth above him while I watched him through my camera.

He stayed there and only ventured back toward the fish once and then only after a Mallard drake made his way by me without noticing me. He quickly dashed in and made a grab at the belly up trout but missed and bolted away.

Unfortunately a second gull had noticed the fish while flying over the pond. It, like the first, dropped directly down towards it. Unlike the first however, he spotted me almost right off the bat. He swam off to the middle of the pond chattering at me while looking back over his shoulder. He made his way to almost the same spot that the first gull had just taken off from and I had to decide whether to leave and let them eat or settle in for round two of the waiting game.

I decided that since my new spot had already disturbed the ponds routine far more than I should have let it, it was time to leave. Before I could make it away from the pond the gulls were both back and circling. Since I have observed gulls eating several times I know that they are not ones to share a lunch if they don't have to. I hope the first one is the one who got to eat.

It was one of the funnest sessions at the Fish Pond in recent memory and, for a little while anyway, I will be sure to make note of even the most common of animals in the world around me.

Get outside! Just go sit in your yard if that's all you can do. Enjoy the chance to slow down for a few minutes and watch the little ones around you. They are a big part of what makes our world so wonderful!

Kevin

A Lagre Visitor Makes an Appearance

2007-06-18T14:28:00.000-04:00

After an extended absence the female Wood Ducks are returning to the Fish Pond. I'm not sure where the males have gone but the females are back.

As usual my friends the Kingfishers are busy feeding young. From my photo blind I can hear the little ones calling whenever the female leaves the nest for too long.

The female seems to be the more proficient of the two adults when it comes to hunting. She can make four or five successful trips during the hours they are active compared to the males two or three.

Her hunting was interrupted briefly last Saturday morning. Normally when she returns to the nest with food she stops to quickly check out the pond before flying into the woods. On this occasion she sat motionless, and looking nervous for quite some time before disappearing into the trees.

She had obviously noticed the large Heron sitting in a tree over the path she needed to travel back to the nest. I didn't see him until he spread his wings to lift off.

When he came off his perch he dropped only slightly before his large sweeping wing beats leveled his flight and he half flew, half glided the length of pond landing on the lowest point of the bank.

After only about a minute he flew back across the pond and landed on the bank almost directly below the tree he had been perched in. He hunted there for several minutes and then started flying around the pond, landing in different locations to fish.

He stayed for the better part of an hour which I was very happy about. My experiences with Herons in the past has been that they are extremely shy and will disappear if they notice even the slightest hint of a person or movement of a blind.

My furry beaver friend also showed himself Saturday morning. I hadn't seen him in so long I was beginning to think he had packed up house and moved away.

I first saw him moving slowly though the overhanging branches directly across the pond from me. He climbed up onto them and chewed on a small branch for a few minutes.

I'm pretty sure he saw me moving my camera to get a better view of him. He looked right at me and quickly slipped into the water. He swam towards me for a short distance then went back and forth almost like he was trying to decide what to do before diving.

He resurfaced in the center of the pond then dove again. I could see the top of the water moving as he swan right towards me. When he got closer I could see him swimming in the shallower water. He got so close I lost sight of him behind the trees that make up the left side of my blind. I assume he disappeared under the bank where I was sitting. At least I know for sure now that my blind is indeed almost right on top of his den.

While I didn't have a lot of time to spend at the pond last week the time I did spend there was great. As usual each visit offered something new to discover and observe.

Have a great one and get outside! Its a wonderful world!

Kevin

Summer Approaches

2007-06-12T21:27:00.000-04:00

The week began with some of the windiest weather to hit our area in over ten years. While I'm not one to normally be bothered by a little shower the threat of pouring rain or lightning will usually keep me indoors. Throw in heavy winds and not only won't I be able to take photos but I usually don't sleep a lot.

I know its not nice to "not" trust mother nature but there's just something about a ton and a half of eagles nest swaying in a steady 35 to 40 mile per hour wind that makes me wonder just how much one old pine tree can take. It drives me nuts. I spend more time watching the nest than I do sitting at the pond.

The forecast for Monday night had been for wind gusts up to 80 mph and I was very worried that the nest would come down or one of the eaglets would lose its grip and be blown out. Fortunately for the nests young residents it seems to have survived this latest battering.

Conditions are finally right for our resident turtles to begin to appear. I ran into one very large one while checking the nest yesterday. By northern Michigan standards it was huge.

He had wondered out onto the road I travel to observe the nest. At first I thought someone had left a large rock on the gravel where it meets the end of the pavement. He was still damp from his 25 yard trip up from the lake and his back was covered in moss.

He sat almost motionless until a passer by saw me laying on the road taking his picture. She was kind enough to pull up behind me to see if I was alright but when she got out of her car this wonderful prehistoric looking guy slowly raised himself onto his slow but steady legs and made as much of a run for it as he could. He didn't look like he was in the mood for many more photos so I didn't pursue him into his grassy hiding place.

Eagle sightings at the pond itself have been few and far between of late. Partly because of the recent weather and part of it may be because of the age of the area eaglets. The young birds have started to make their way out onto the branches that support the nest and I'm sure it won't be long until they fledge. This might be keeping the adult birds closer to home.

My friend the Green Heron has apparently decided to hunt here at the Fish Pond on a regular basis. He snuck up on me the other day appearing rather suddenly at the stump end of a fallen tree that the Kingfishers use as a perch. He spent a fair amount of time making his way out to end of the tree stopping along the way to groom and fish before flying to the opposite end of the pond.

The Kingfishers are still in a continous feeding mode. As much as it would make for some great photos I am resisting the urge to try to figure out where their nest is. About three years ago my young daughter stuck her head into one of the shrubs in front of our house scaring a female finch off of her nest. She never came back and the chicks in the nest died the next day. Ever since then I have been very nervous about approaching nests of any kind.

Kingfishers are a lot of fun to watch especially when they make what I assume is their first trip to the pond every morning. They appear out from under the trees and straight into the water. They splash around for a few seconds and then jump up to a low perch. They shake and fluff themselves then jump back in and splash around a couple of more times before heading off to hunt. I could watch just them and the herons all day long.

As promised, I have started collecting questions from readers and begun forwarding them to a true eagle expert for answers.

Michael Watkins is a wildlife biologist who works for the Army Corp of Engineers in Kansas. He has been actively involved in the banding and studying of the American Bald Eagle both as part of his job and as a personal hobby for the last twenty years. Mr. Watkins as well as Fish and Wildlife Service biologist Dan Mulhern have been a great help and source of information for me in the time I have been watching the eagles at the Fish Pond. I can't tell you how much I appreciate their time and willingness to share their knowledge. Mr. Watkins has kindly agreed to field your questions and help all of us learn a little more about this beautiful bird.

This Posts Reader Question and Answer from the Eagle Expert.

From: Liz in Missouri

"Hey have any of you ever seen Bald Eagles eat carrion? My hubby said one was in the field several days where we were cutting hay, and would take off with what looked like turtles that the cutter had hit. I thought it was strange, but I believe him as he knows what they look like."

Answer:

"Yes, bald eagles will definitely eat carrion. Although they are very proficient hunters, they will take advantage of an easy carrion meal when the opportunity arises. The carrion must be relatively fresh however, they will not eat older decaying carrion like turkey vultures do. I have personally observed bald eagles eating dead fish and road kill deer."

Thanks Mike and everyone else, KEEP THE QUESTIONS COMING!

Have a great one and get outside, its a wonderful world!

Kevin

There's a New Kid in Town!

2007-06-04T12:12:00.000-04:00

It has been a very interesting week at the Fish Pond. There were several new visitors including the first Osprey, first frog and the first snake of the year.

There also appears to be a new kid in town!

I was just about ready to leave for home one evening when this fellow showed up. He flew into one of the perches normally used by the other eagles so I just assumed it was one of them. I grabbed a couple of quick shots before he left then packed up my gear and headed out of the woods.

When I sat down to review my images from the day I noticed right away that this was not a mature bird I had seen before. If you look at its legs it is not banded and it is the first mature eagle I have seen at the pond that has not been.

The resident pair of Belted Kingfishers must have a nest somewhere up the hill near the ponds inlet stream. They were very busy all week and their behaviour certainly indicates that they are feeding young.

One would appear from the stream entrance and fish until it caught something then return back up the stream. Within two minutes the other would make the same entrance and repeat the routine. They stayed busy all week, even while it was raining.

I did find out just how fast a male Kingfisher can change direction in mid-air though. During one of the weeks rainy periods, while there was a fog hovering over the waters surface, he was following one of his normal paths across the pond, one that takes him down the corridor of trees that line the outlet stream.

When he popped out of the fog thirty or so feet from where I was standing he was headed right at me. I'm certain that at that very instant the same thought was going through both of our minds. He hit the breaks, coming to a complete stop in mid air about ten feet in front of me and flapped like crazy to make a hasty exit up and to his left.

I have to admit that in three years of visiting this pond I have never seen a Green Heron here until this week. I have seen them at nearby bodies of water but this is a first for the Fish Pond.

They are one of the funnest birds I have been fortunate enough watch and the one that showed up today was no exception. It was great to watch him as he would slowly stalk one section of the shoreline stabbing at the water to catch the small fish hiding along the shore. I hope to see lots more of him in the coming weeks. They are a very pretty bird.

After not seeing any in more than two weeks I also got a very brief visit from a lone female Wood Duck. She appeared from out of nowhere and with a couple of soft peeps landed almost right in front of the spot I was shooting from. She went straight to the mouth of the inlet stream where she took a quick bath and then made a rather odd trip around the pond.

At first I couldn't figure out what she was doing. She would put her beak down into the water and slowly swim towards one of the bunches of floating vegetation. She looked like she was trying to be a crocodile.

Just before she would reach the edge of a bunch she would go to full speed and charge up onto the vegetation. After she did it two or three times before I figured out what she was up to.

She was hunting the dragon flies that were resting on the plants. She managed to grab and eat two that I saw and then she quickly swam to the far end of the pond, turned into the wind and took off and flew back in the direction from where she came.

The end of the week came rain. Friday it was soft and warm and it seemed to change the landscape around the pond every few minutes. When it would start to sprinkle the warm falling drops would create a fog on the waters surface when they mixed with the cold pond water.

After the rain, as the mist would clear, you could hear water drops falling all around the pond's banks as the trees shed the left over rain. It would then become quiet, clear and still with only the sound of the flowing streams murmuring in the background.

As you can see its been an interesting week. I hope it stays this way.

Have a great one! Get outside and explore someplace new today!

Kevin

Bug Week

2007-05-28T14:40:00.000-04:00

It was bug heaven at the Fish Pond this week. I think just about every kind of bug I've ever seen made an appearance at one point or another. A couple of times it looked like it was raining there were so many bugs hatching off the surface of the pond.

Late every afternoon the spiders went to work stringing together large webs in preparation for their evening feast. They would freeze in place whenever their new creations would vibrate because one of the millions of gnats, mosquito's or fly's would be unfortunate enough to get tangled in it.

It seemed like they were using the vibrations to determine where in the web there next meal was located and once they figured it out they would scurry to wrap it up. I was amazed to see how fast they can string up a disabled bug.

The buggiest thing of the week had nothing to do with insects though.

I have been trying get a photo that is clear enough to let me read the letters on the leg band of my favorite bald eagle for about three years now. I probably could have had several such pictures if I had opted to use bait to get her close enough to me but since I try to not interfere in her life in any way and feeding bald eagles has been described by the wildlife biologists I have been speaking with as "a real gray area" in regards to the Endangered Species Act I have always felt it better not to try it.

In quite a few photos I have of her you can see what are two distinct white blurs on the band that the biologist who helped band her and I are certain it is the number over letter code that identifies her. In one or two photos we have even been able to determine that the number in the code is a two.

In many photos the blurs do not appear though. Since the color of the band has always remained the same I have always just assumed this was because of the lighting, distance, or blurring caused by camera vibration or movements of the bird.

While reviewing pictures from an observation last Thursday I had about given up trying to read the letters I was looking for because of the reflection of the sun off of the band. Then, suddenly, it appeared in one of my photos. A distinct large single letter. Just as clear as a bell.

It seems as though we have either been seeing things in previous photos or I have actually been watching two different birds with the same colored leg band. This new discovery left me feeling confused to say the least but after reflecting on it for a day or two I am now more excited than ever at the possibility of have two of these magnificent birds to observe.

So now begins the search to solve this new mystery.

Have a great one! Get outside and learn something new about the wonderful world around you!

Kevin

A New Approach

2007-05-21T12:24:00.000-04:00

Yes, there really are fish in the Fish Pond and for a small treat they will gladly let you take their picture if your fast enough.

I got a couple of chances this week to check out my favorite eagle's nest. Both eaglets are still there and beginning to stretch there wings. Since getting good pictures of the nest from almost a mile away is to difficult and it's unwise to try to approach an active nest with very young birds in it I will have to wait and hope they make an appearance with mom at the Fish Pond so I can get a good image of them to share.

With the leaves now filling out the tree branches the eagle has been blessed with a new hunting advantage. While she used to circle over the pond and then land in a high perch to look for prey she can now silently appear from just over the tree tops and dive down suddenly on anything swimming on the surface. The up side to this adjustment to her hunting style is that she doesn't spend as much time checking things out before she appears.

Thursday's weather was a nice springtime drizzle and mist mix. She came in from directly over my spot and dropped down to just a few feet off the surface. Seeing nothing she could grab easily she glided to the far end of the pond, tipped her wings sharply left and flew back almost directly at me. Unfortunately the branches of the cedar tree I was sitting behind obscured any photo opportunity.

Making her way about three quarters of the way back across the pond she again turned left and with a few large wing beats rose to a perch that was about forty yards from my position.

After spending a couple of minutes shaking her damp feathers and looking down into the shallow spot in the pond below her she leaned forward, spread her wings and departed. As always the two minutes she was there allowing me to watch her was worth the hours of waiting until she arrived.

Once again it was some of the smallest things around the pond that were some of the most fasinating.

You could sit near the waters edge for an infinite number of afternoons and never notice the webs that fill the tree branches around you. When the light is just right however they appear almost magically.

The geese with the two goslings who were at the pond everyday last week have disappeared. Perhaps the eagles have forced them out onto a larger body of water or maybe they have just wandered to another nearby pond. No female ducks with ducklings yet. Maybe next week.

Hey, have a great day. Get outside and learn something new about the wonderful world around you.

Kevin

Springtime On the Pond

2007-05-14T08:43:00.000-04:00

The first little ones of the year have arrived on the the Fish Pond.

The Canadian geese I thought were a little more aggressive than normal earlier in the week had reason to be. They are the first proud parents to venture out onto the water with their young. The two goslings rapidly grow more confident in their surroundings, climbing higher up onto the banks and venturing further from moms side every day.

I'm sure the duck hens will reappear soon with their young in tow. I don't know much about how wood ducks raise their young yet but I know that the local mallards have not spent much time near the pond with their little ones in the past. I have seen mallard chicks in the stream that heads to a large nearby lake but never in the fish pond. I hope the wood ducks will take advantage of the heavy cover around the pond to raise theirs.

It has been my personal experience that one of the best times to see whitetail deer out in the woods is on those occasional wet and foggy or misty days. Days much like last Thursday.

When the ground and leaves are wet they are not as likely to hear you coming and their since their sight is limited by the mist or fog they are easier to approach.

The deer that frequent the banks of the pond have not dropped their fawns yet but I'm sure it won't be long. Even on nice days the does do not bolt at the first sight of people now. They prefer to not expend any energy unless they feel directly threatened.

As always mother natures mix of little warm weather and rain have begun to paint the banks of the Fish Pond with color. Apple blossoms and trillium's are blooming and their contrast with the other new plant growth make them stand out, for lack of a better metaphor, like stars in the night sky.

The return of the leaves to the trees and fresh plant life along the banks of the pond will soon completely change it's personality.

At the beginning of the week you could watch the entire sunset through the leafless trees as it spread across the horizon. Now you just catch glimpses of it after it drops below the top of the tree line and in the spots it does peek through the leaves its color almost appears magnified. Even though there were just little glimpses it was enough to catch my attention for the minute or so it was visible.

While it was this banded bald eagle that first led me to the fish pond it is the entire range of plant and animal life that keeps me coming back. It's just one small part of the wonderful planet on which we are fortunate enough to live.

Have a great week and get outside. Go exploring and learn something new about the world around you!

Kevin

The Waiting Game

2007-05-07T14:12:00.000-04:00

Since the female ducks have all but disappeared from the Fish Pond I can only assume that they are busy sitting on nests of what will hopefully soon be tons of ducklings. They do appear occasionally to eat and to take a break but for the most part the Fish Pond has looked a lot like what you would imagine an old fashioned maternity ward waiting room would.

Nervous wood duck and mallard drakes skittishly fly in and out of the pond apparently looking for their nesting mates. Most of the time they have been around has been spent hiding in the branches that overhang the pond hiding.

Since this years eaglets are probably about a month old now the adult eagles that hunt around the pond are in feeding overdrive. The birds who frequent the pond seem to know it. While two weeks ago they would have merely kept an eye an any large birds that cruised over the pond they now seem to go to much greater lengths to avoid being seen by them.

Probably the most interesting experience of the week was with an immature bald eagle that I was quite surprised to see since the local adults have gone to great lengths to chase away any competition for the potential food the pond contains.

I can't tell you how many times I have gotten caught without my camera at the ready when I should have known better. Its one of the true Murphy's Laws of photography. If you cover a baseball game, the play of the game will happen when your changing lenses or focusing on someone in the crowd. When you cover a big car race the days only accident will happen when your in the restroom. If your photographing wildlife the most interesting animal will show up as soon as you step out of your hiding place and get just far enough away from it that you can't get back to it without ruining the moment. That is exactly what happened Saturday morning.

After sitting quiet and hidden for 2 1/2 hours I decided to grab the old wide angle lens and try to sneak to a spot where the sun coming through the trees created what turned out to be an only moderatelty interesting morning scene.

Just after I grabbed the shot and had taken two steps back towards my blind an immature bald eagle, a small trout firmly grasped in his right talon, appeared over the south end of the pond and started to look for a tree in which to land and enjoy his breakfast. He spent the better part of a minute looking for a suitable roost but couldn't find one so he headed west off over the treetops.

I would say that I spent the walk back to my photo blind kicking myself for not having a camera with a lens suitable for taking his picture with me but I really didn't. I was actually glad that I had gotten the chance to watch as this great bird as it flew from tree to tree stopping just short of an almost acceptable branch only to change its mind at the last moment and swoop off in a different direction.

Even when it almost landed in the top of the tree I was standing next to I never heard its wings make a sound. It was the type of moment one finds amazing no matter how many times it happens.

Another occasional and unexpected visitor to the pond was this small Merganser duck.

Diving ducks like mergansers do not regularly visit the pond preferring to spend most of their time on the bigger lakes in the area. They are fish eaters and even when they do make an appearance they do not appear to be feeding. They seem to be either chasing prospective mates or just taking a break on their way to somewhere else.

He did catch me off guard when, without any warning, he started his run across the top of the water to take off. It wouldn't have been nearly as surprising if he hadn't been looking right down the lens when he did it.

Of course one of the benefits of not having a lot of wildlife around is that it gives you an opportunity to observe and enjoy the little things around the pond.

Things like dead tree limbs in just the right light or the way the wind causes ripples on the surface of the water. Its all part of the big picture the makes he world around us such a fascinating place to explore.

Have a great one. Get outside and enjoy the wonderful world around you.

Kevin

Welcome to the Fish Pond

2007-05-07T12:34:00.000-04:00

My name is Kevin Johnston and I am a working freelance photojournalist. While I am certainly not anywhere near a household name I do share an interest in wildlife and the great outdoors millions of others across the United States.

Large birds of prey are something I have always been particularly interested in. Something about watching a gracefull hawk or an eagle soar and glide while it hunts is something that I find amazing to watch. They are truely one of the many wonders that surround us everyday and they can be seen in almost any area in the country where their is a habitat that will support them.

For several years I have seen bald eagles soaring over the lakes in my area but I never knew much about where they frequented or how they utilized the countryside over which they flew. After seeing what I assumed was one eagle in the same approximate location on several occassions I decided to try to determine where she was going and what she was doing there. It was this eagle that led me to the Fish Pond which as it turns out is one of her favorite hunting spots.

This blog is a written and photographic record of the time I spend watching the eagles and the other wildlife visitors that frequent the Fish Pond. I will be posting my observations and photos from the Fish Pond each week over the course of the next several months. I will also periodically include stories and photos from other interesting wildlife experiences.

I hope you enjoy this blog. I will certainly enjoy sharing it with you.

Have a great day. Get outside and enjoy the world around you.

Kevin