Bevy of White-Tailed Deer – Michigan, Does & Fawns

November 12, 2016 by iaustin

Bevy of White-Tailed Deer – Michigan, Does & Fawns

Odocoileus virginianus

Deer Royalty – Young Bucks

Whitetailed Deer Michigan – Young Bucks

Off in the Distance – Bevy of White-tailed Deer

White-tailed Deer – Michigan

Off in the distance–a group of deer, on the northern passage of Jimme’, hidden deep within Kensington forest, I heard a soft rumbling noise. I was standing behind the trunk of an old dead cottonwood tree. My attention was regularly focused in that direction because it is common for animals of all kind to enter in and leave this section of protected wetland. Animals follow the terrain even if it means walking in water, birds follow the terrain even when floating on the water’s surface or flying overhead.

Deer Trek – Migration – Early One Winter Morning – Bevy of Whitetail Michigan

As I patiently remained hidden behind the tree, the noisy splashing got louder and closer. Suddenly, a small bevy of white tailed deer came rumbling along the trail right down the center of the narrow, shallow entry-way giving the appearance they were running on water.

The herd of white-tailed deer resembled an excited family on an exploratory road trip. The larger matriarch was in the rear looking like a drill sergeant barking commands to the troop of does & fawns. The tightly formed troop of deer looked like they enjoyed following the commands of their group matriarch. I remained motionless as the small bevy of white-tailed deer thundered passed my concealed location never knowing they were being observed.

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Nature Photography by Ike Austin – Michigan
Photography that is Therapy for the Soul
Michigan Birds

Nature Photography by Ike Austin – Michigan
Photography that is Therapy for the Soul

Michigan Birds

Osprey Michigan

December 7, 2015 by iaustin

Michigan Osprey

One Early Morning in Kensington MetroPark

One of the biggest, badest set of menacing looking talons in all the land, has returned – Osprey in Michigan.

The early morning air was crisp and chilly to my hands, and also it seemed to have an operational effect my camera equipment. There was a slight mist on the water’s surface and off in the distance the mist became a transparent milky white that appeared to be sandwiched between the bare tree tops and the water; seagulls circling low to the water’s surface disappeared as each gull darted in and out of the thick white mist.

Spring Arrival of the Michigan Osprey

It wasn’t long before my camera equipment swung into action. A large shape menacing bird of prey Michigan Osprey in flight was heading my way with a trail of squawking seagulls chasing close behind. It was the infamous Osprey. The Michigan Osprey had caused a great deal of alarm in other resident birds living on the lake; claiming to be king of the domain until the Osprey with its massive and intimidating flight divide the fog.

Arrival of the Michigan Osprey 2015

Dialog with FirstSons – Once Upon Another Eden

December 3, 2015 by iaustin

Once Upon Another Eden

“Down by the river” exists a group of mysterious clouds; these clouds are members of a larger galactic host. They are on an epic journey transversing countless galaxies over unmeasurable lengths of time; transcending multitudes of dimensions; drawing closer to their destination; the outer realms of “DayStar.” Their unsuspected intrusions into many domains incite fear, even to self-declared gods of Earth. The mysterious clouds revealed to me, they are only known by DayStar, that they respect only DayStar, and only DayStar, know them, by name… “FirstSons!”
FirstSons, First Encounter… Video Trailer.

A “wiz-kid”—named ThirdSon, has gained the favor of powerful noble beings masquerading as clouds down by a hidden river. These beings are dominant enough to threaten our resident evils known as Satan. But as ThirdSon is about to discover, Earth’s sun is not the largest in the universe; our sun is a dot compared to other suns; likewise, Satan’s power is minuscule compared to what FirstSons have revealed of themselves.

ThirdSon has also learned that their calm cloud-like demeanor, laws of morality, magnanimity & useful truths, does not prohibit them to eradicate injustice & uproot evils where ever encountered.

They are vast, some of them reside far in the forefront of their great migration; a legendary saga, stretching across galaxies. Other CloudHosts in the rear, are passing through our galaxy many light years behind those in the forefront. In their passing through, it is this branch of FirstSons that have taken interest and taught me many, many esoteric things.

Enter the “DayStar!”
One strange, dark starless night “down by the river” members of FirstSons suddenly appeared in the sky to my left, their attention was intensely focused toward something massive of great importance approaching from both our right. After a moment, one member turned to look directly at me and sternly encouraged me, to never forget…”Remember the DayStar!” he said.

This is when I first heard the word “DayStar”, and in that instant my attention immediately shifted to my right—to what I can best describe, as a sun of gargantuan size that expanded to fill half the visible sky in view; from infinite bottom to the height of infinite space. Further, to my great astonishment, I sensed this was no ordinary sun, I concluded that this SUN, was a being of immeasurable admiration, might, magnanimity & consequence… this SUN …was alive!
—ThirdSon Chronicles

Fifty years later, I wrote wisdom from the river’s sky, who through symbols of nature, shared their common laws.
ThirdSon and the River’s Sky – Excerpts

Great Horned Owl – Michigan

January 4, 2015 by iaustin

Great Horned Owl – Michigan

Bubo virginianus

Great Horned Owl Michigan

Far back off the beaten path, in one of Michigan’s Metro Parks, I spotted a Great Horned Owl departing from its well concealed nest of 4 owlets. ThirdSon and the River’s Sky Saga

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Nature Photography by Ike Austin – Michigan
National Graphic 2011-2014
Photography that is Therapy for the Soul
Michigan Birds

Nature Photography by Ike Austin – Michigan
Photography that is Therapy for the Soul

Michigan Birds

Michigan Eastern Bluebird – Bird of Red, White, and Blue

November 28, 2014 by iaustin

Michigan Eastern Bluebird – Bird of Red, White, and Blue

Sialia sialis

Framed by blue skies, and deep patriotic red, white, and blue colors; sitting colorfully looking out in serious contemplation, the Eastern Bluebird adorns the casual observer with a pleasing sight of beauty.

Looking like a royal flag staked on a branch, high above the wetlands, found all across the state of Michigan.

With its unique red, white, and blue plumage, only the Eastern Bluebird can boast colors that represent patriotism found is so many flags of nations.

Eastern Blue Bird

– Eatern Bluebird

Nature Photography Eastern Bluebird

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Nature Photography by Ike Austin – Michigan
Photography that is Therapy for the Soul
Michigan Birds

Nature Photography by Ike Austin – Michigan
Photography that is Therapy for the Soul

Michigan Birds

Wood Duck – Michigan

September 24, 2014 by iaustin

Wood Duck – Michigan, Nature Photography

Aix Sponsa

The question is answered…

Wood Duck Michigan

Wood Ducks and Creation

If Creation were racist—as all religions on Lower Earth secretly hope—the plumage of this Wood Duck would be all one solid color.

Instead; there are colors of brown, beige, blue and teal,
speckles of burgundy, red, and black, solid greens, with strips of white, patched together, making one quilt of a sight.

For those true sons that have eyes to appreciate, to see more beauty in diversity.

“Plumage of many colors,” “coat of many colors,”
“people of many colors,” represent a deeper truth – Dialog With Nature.

Nature is the unedited word of “the God” of creation.

—ThirdSon, Quilts by Nature

Wood Duck

Nature Photography – Michigan Bird Identification

Photo Taken: Kensington Metro Park, Michigan

About the Wood Duck

Aix Sponsa

Appearance: The Wood Duck is a colorful bird. At times the Wood Duck is very skittish and glides near the edge of lily pads, along the rim of grassy wetland, and watching for the slightest movement or something out of place that wasn’t there before. Other times the Wood Duck can stare you down with those large red eyes. The Wood Duck like most ducks is a swift flier. Wing span can can extend to 3-4 feet.

Adult: Male is multicolored, its covert and wing bars quilted with vivid patches of plumage with bright metallic feathers on its head.

Flight Characteristics: Swift and quick wings in flight and typically flapping their wings as they rapidly lift and fly off. Wood Ducks prefer open wooded marshes, and wetlands.

Mating Habits: The Wood Duck start courtship during the fall and winter at migration spots. The female Wood Duck selects her mate and are usually monogamous for life.

Migration: Fall migration southward, the Wood Duck returns to northern regions early spring.

Nesting: Will construct a nest open tree cavities as high up as 50 feet. Incubates 10-12 pale white eggs for appx 25-35 days. Young are generally shown where to find food(vegetation and nuts) and gain independence in as little as 30-35 days.

Off Spring: (Called Ducklings)

Feeding: Day hunter. Some diet food includes; vegetation, nuts, and grasses.

Call: Very low squeaky sound.

About the Photography

Nature Photography – Michigan by Ike Austin

Nature Photography by Ike Austin – Birds of Michigan Series
Photography that is Therapy for the Soul

For an interesting, imaginative, new awareness view about life and attitudes… read the book below.

ThirdSon and the River’s Sky

As a kid, I spent an enormous amount of time down by the river. I was drawn like a magnet to the many sounds of nature that filled the air-the tides rumbling ashore, the faint call of seagulls echoing in the distant background. I would remain there all day under the pretense that I was fishing. I would walk the long river shores for miles, moving from one spot to the next (from bridge to bridge – Ambassador to Bell Isle). I later discovered that the sky above this river was alive.
Read More

National Geographic 2011
Editors’ favorite submissions to the 2011 photo contest

Visit the photo gallery to request prints, photos or screen savers you feel you particularly enjoy.
Nature Photography By Ike Austin

Michigan Birds Dialogue with Nature

The decisions of one, affects all—ThirdSon and the River’s Sky

Exquisite Art

Michigan Cedar Waxwing – Oil Dipped Wing Tips

June 29, 2014 by iaustin

Michigan Cedar Waxwing – Oil Dipped Wing Tips – Sitting on a Branch

Bombycilla Cedrorum

The most beautiful, handsome, colorful, mysterious, portrait, pose, of a Cedar Waxwing Michgan bird.

Black masked eyepatch, autumn tinted bronze mantle, gradually, softly fades to grey. Master painted, oil dipped blood red, dapped on tips of secondary wings. With brightest lemon yellow nature could find artistically stroked at the tip of the tail. To capture and hold, briefly those that behold… mesmerizing beauty sitting on green.

Cedar Waxwing Michigan

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Nature Photography by Ike Austin – Michigan
Photography that is Therapy for the Soul
Michigan Birds

Nature Photography by Ike Austin – Michigan
Photography that is Therapy for the Soul

Michigan Birds

Ancient of Days – Snapping Turtle – Michigan

March 5, 2014 by iaustin

Of Ancient Days, I happened upon this being…

Ancient of Days

Appearing in the forest of Jimme’ at the edge of the southern province, I happened on what I could best describe as the living ancient of days, the old one, the one who slowly… expressed itself…saying…”I am very, very old, and, very, far away.”

I slightly turned, tilting my head, and narrowed my eyes to the thinnest slits so I could covertly peak to see if anyone was standing nearby; but, nobody was present.

After a long enough pause the being continued speaking… “‘I hear you”, it said to me in a low, slow, drawn out voice.

Then, there was a spell of silence.

Old Snapping Turtle

I stood in astonishment because I could see the bi-present being right in front of me, yet, I felt a great distance unlike ever imaged, an incomprehensible gulf between me and the entity other consciousness. The ancient being was here in my presents and at the same time its second consciousness resides elsewhere (as I’ve said, in the mystical forest of Jimme’ powerful beings often present themselves as inconspicuous forest creatures.)

The bi-present entity knew of my personal turmoil and concerns over the past several days and spoke directly to my mind saying…

“Nature is the mind and the mind is Nature.

Nature can be in turmoil, or calm.

But, it is the calm that heals the body.”

I took this to mean…
It takes a period of time, maintaining three things in sustained condition to germinate a healthy seed/soul; heat, light, and moisture; any one element in scarcity, instantly the seed is ill-fated.

Within a few moments after this most inspiring dialogue with nature began, I sensed the presents of the ancient one diminish.
The turtle, then raised its head higher and spoke one word saying… “Archie!”

I interpreted that word to be related to…”remember the daystar.”

Nature is mind, mind is Nature
Calm images of Nature held in the mind, are healing the soul.

The mind that holds scenes of Nature, germinates healing the body.
—ThirdSon and the River’s Sky

Hummingbird Michigan – Smallest Fastest Bird

November 28, 2013 by iaustin

Hummingbird Michigan – Smallest Fastest Bird

Archilochus colubris

Michigan Hummingbird is the teeny weeny, itsy bitsy, tinniest, miniaturist, pee wee of all birds. Yes, the Hummingbird is itty-bitty, minature tinny, littlest, smallish, pocket-sized, mico, mini of a birdie.

Small But F-a-s-t! I Do Mean Fast! –
The Hummingbird is fast. Hypersonic in fact. It’s a little speedball, can move like mad. It’s agile, brisk, quick and swift. It is to fast to see, just a blur if right in front of me. It’s a jiffy dot with wings, moving in a blink from place to place in nothing flat. Hummingbirds move at breakneck speed, are fast as lightening, dashing, flashing, quick as crazy. See this photo… Rudy Throated Hummingbird

Humminbird – Full Spread

The Hummer can zoom to and fro smooth as quick silver, faster than Sammy Davis, quiet as a mouse. It will zip, zip, zip from pedal to pedal, seeking what it may find. Nectar here, nectar there, from bloom to bloom; darting in and out.

Hummingbird

The Hummingbird is faster than Gun-Smoke, quicker than Sun-Dance Kid. I draw my guns, point it to the tip of your nose, slap your face, and re-holster all before the word… “Draw.” Or, should I say, all before the letter “D” is pronounced.

Hummingbird Pictures – Resting on Hosta

Yes, I’m fast, faster than a speeding bullet, an 8 armed ocotups, a rat-trap, a blink, a wink, much quicker than a finger snap. I’m faster than Mohammad Ali, quicker than his fastest jab. He go “jab-jab”, I go… “buzz-saw” (1000 jabs to his one). Blistering quick, instantaneous fast, I’m double-quick, sudden-swift, the winged wonder of birds.

I might be small, but I’m faster than them all, that’s why “I am Legend”, and they call me “The Hummer.”

Ruby throated Hummingbird – Nectar Extractor.

All About the Red Throated Hummingbird
Nature Photography – Michigan Bird Identification
Photo Taken: Michigan Wetland

Family: Trochilidae
Name: Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris

Appearance: The Michigan Ruby Throated Hummingbird is a 4 inche bird with, green plumage, white under body, and red throat..
Adult: Color is metallic green, female is green without the red throat.
Flight Characteristics:
Quick blurry fast beats, smooth continual flaps when in flight. The Red Throated Hummingbird is a fast and swift flier, can abruptly change directions on a dime.
Habitat: The Hummer prefers of course small inland water reservoirs, lakes, ponds and wetlands, parks, and back yards.
Nesting: Hummingbirds will construct nest made of grasses and line with down. Nests are minarature deep pocked cups.
Incubates 2 whitish eggs for appx 13-16 days.
Mating Habits: The Common Mallards mate for extended periods.
Feeding: Uses its long beak and tongue to draw nectar from flowers.
Call: Sharp chip.
Migration: Travels a remarkable 500 miles to South America in late fall October.

Bird Conservation in Michigan
Michigan Bird Conservation Initiative

Department of Natural Resources
Check the Cornell University Department of Natural Resources for Attracting Hummingbirds to your yard., Learn More… Attracting Hummingbirds

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Nature Photography by Ike Austin – Michigan
Photography that is Therapy for the Soul
Michigan Birds

Nature Photography by Ike Austin – Michigan
Photography that is Therapy for the Soul

Michigan Birds

National Geographic

2011 Editors Choice Winning Photo

National Geographic 2011

View Entry on NG website… NG Contest Winners

To purchase Photo Art… DayStarBooks Gallery

To Purchase the I can Make It Fine Art Print… Dialog With Nature

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Birding Associations and Organizations
This Weeks Honorable Mention:

Michigan Audubon Society
Purpose: Michigan Audubon connects birds and people for the benefit of both through conservation, education, and research efforts in the state of Michigan. Read More Here… Michigan Audubon ORG

Nature Photography – by Ike Austin
Nature Photography that is Therapy for the Soul

RedTailed Hawk – Michigan, the Noble

October 20, 2013 by iaustin

RedTailed Hawk – Michigan, the Noble

The Hawk, a Symbol of the Highest

A Nature Photography of RedTail Hawk Nobility

Suddenly, a young juvenile Red-tail hawk raises its wings, high above its head, creating a most spectacular and grandeur posture. The majestic bird is fixated on something far off into the distance, perhaps on some unsuspecting prey. With a laser like focused stare, a natural small glare of sunlight adorned the top of the birds pupil, with a rightfully placed star in its eye …the bird rose.

For this picturesque moment, the Red-tailed Hawk is a magnificent statue of nobility.

Nature Photography, this Hawk is a portrait of envious kings of the earth, and to those who watch from hidden dominions; with wings that would capture the attention of Gods, lesser gods, and the admiration of men. He would be drawn, painted, sculptured, and claimed as the royal symbol of many nations. Even among those who proclaim themselves to be of the sons of the living god, they too have claimed the majesty of the Red-tail as a symbol of their own.

Nature Photography Redtailed Hawk

The Red-tailed Hawk is legendary among Native Americans. These people were of the few civilizations of earth who saw the true purpose of nature; as a manifestation, a representation, a visual form of communication from a higher form of life reaching out toward all who have the gift to behold. And those rare individuals that remain, those few who still interpret the esoteric symbolism of unpolluted nature, they are in constant visual, silent communion. When such persons visit nature they stand in respect, because they are aware they are witnessing a flow of living words being spoke by… the creator.

̶̶̶—ThirdSon and the River’s Sky

A Tribute:

Nature Photography Red-tailed Hawk

The earth is much mis-understood, it is not what you have been told.

Lessons Learned – Dialogues in the Forest of Jimme’

Nature Speaks – Nature Photography, Therapy for the Soul – Everyone can Hear

Nature Speaks – Through Birds – Therapy for the Soul

The Opening – Message in the Rain

Michigan Bird – Mallard Duck – Sun and Darkness Dialogue

Michigan Bird – SandHill Crane Ancient Feet Dialogue

Birds of Michigan – Great Horned Owl Dialogue

Birds of Michigan – Great White Egret Dialogue

Birds of Michigan – Green Heron Dialogue – One Strange Sunset in Jimmie’

Nature Photography RedTailed Hawk

Other Links to View More Details and Photos

Giant Talons of a Redtail – Wild Life Pictures: MONSTER GORILLA TALONS

Nature – Photography See Upclose, Full Spread Fanned Red Tail Image

National Geographic excellent line drawings and red-tailed good detailed description.

Nature Photography – Michigan by Ike Austin

Nature Photography by Ike Austin – Birds of Michigan Series
Photography that is Therapy for the Soul

Dialog with Nature

Nature – Teaches the Soul

Category Archives: Nature Photography Michigan

Bevy of White-Tailed Deer – Michigan, Does & Fawns