Tag Archives: birds of michigan

Michigan Birds

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Michigan Birds

Michigan Birds  –  Many Shapes, sizes, colors and groups. 

Many Coats of Colors

Michigan Birds; there are Michigan reds, blues and white birds of color. Grey birds, green birds and orange ones too. Yellow birds, yellow and black, yellow birds with blue. There are blue birds with blue wings, some others with blue caps and other Michigan birds are blue all over. Beige, with black tips, brown with black strips, and multicolored like the rainbow, big and small, mean and timid. Birds painted in a variety of colors from the tip of their beak to the end of their tail, nails and toe.

 

 

Michigan Birds

Michigan Birds – Photo by Ike Austin

 

Shapes and Sizes

There are tall Michigan Birds, tall and skinny, big and fat. There are a plenty of small birds, tiny birds and minauture birds a squring about. Michigan has birds with giant wing spans over six feet wide, others with small spans only inches in length.  Some birds are fast, others slow, still some are swift can turn on a dime.

 

Michigan Bird

Michigan Bird

 

Michigan Birds   – Some Fly High, Others Low

Some Michigan Birds fly high others fly low. Some glide, others dive below.  Some ride the thermal waves others ride the wind. Some Michigan birds flap with a rapid motion while other birds clap as they flap.

 

Michigan Birds

Michigan Birds

 

Is it a Kettle of Hawks or a Rafter of Turkeys? 

Some Michigan birds stay alone, while others live in groups, called gaggles, brewds, flocks and fleets. Some birds travel in congregations, pods, volery or bevy of a crowd. A cast of Michigan hawks, a charm of darting finches, a cover of angling coot. A bevy of surfing quail,  siege of hunting herons, a clattering of chattering ravens, a party of noisy blue jays. Who have not seen a darting of dabbling ducks bobbing and waving, diving and dunking, and the gulp of cormorants atop the trees. A colony of gulls, a drum of gold finches, a loft of pigeons huddled close. Michigan hosts groups of swallows, and herds of swans or are swans called a bevy or bank? Let’s not forget a Michigan all time favorite; the geese.  Are they called a group of gaggle or plump? classification of Michigan birds groups goes on and on.

 

 

 

 

Michigan Birds - Dabble of Ducks

Michigan Birds – Dabble of Ducks

There’s a Michigan Bird shape and sized to fit every camera lens.

nature photography - michigan

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

Michigan Birds

 

National Geographic

2011 Editors Choice Winning Photo

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

Birds Photography Night Heron

National Geographic 2011
View Entry on NG website… NG Contest Winners

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Nature Photography – Michigan Belted KingFisher

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Nature Photography – Michigan Belted KingFisher – The Blue Streaker

Megaceryle Alcyon – to grieve

Every Michigander should make seeing a Belted KingFisher in action a 2013 commitment.  Observing their fishing activity is both therapeutic and interesting to watch.  Firstly, the KingFisher quickly sends out a rapid machine gun like voice (KingFisher Call) to signal its arrival. After landing on a protruding strategically located tree branch, the King Fisher is now ready to dive for underwater prey. See Michigan Belted KingFisher photos here.  Flickr – Michigan Bird photos King Fisher here.

Michigan – Blue Waters, Blue Birds – The Great Blue State

 

Belted KingFisher Michigan

Belted KingFisher Michigan

Visit Wildlife in the Wetlands Art Gallery

 

 

nature photography - michigan

 

 

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

Birds Photography Night Heron

A Dialogue With Nature – ThirdSon and the River’s Sky

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A Dialogue With Nature 

Therapy for the Soul 

Occasionally, when in discourse with the inhabitants of the sky that reside down by the river (this sky over the river is alive), I arrive in the Forest of Jimme’ via a dense cloud that in an instant can billow downward from the sky, surrounding me in dense fog and when the cloud quickly dissipates, I find myself standing at the edge of another reality, I am transferred to Jimme’.

Here in this place, the lessons of truth speak in silence through the minds of nature itself.

But, I write only part truths, because each grain of sand perceives truth from its own perspective.

Here is one grain more…

Silence Speaks in the Forest of Jimme’

In silence, I hear deeper truth.
Decisions – A path of mountains or rivers

nature photography michigan by ike austin
nature photography michigan by ike austin

Decisions – A path of mountains or meadows

This small blade of grass attracted my attention (it is typical  to dialogue with unexpected hosts in Jimme’) the blade of grass began telling me all about a barren tree off in the distance on the other side of a small body of water. I noticed that the tree’s bare branches jutted upward and outward in all directions, not to many branches, but just enough to get noticed from a distance.

This small blade of grass imputed the following thought into my mind;  A decision no matter how seemingly small will branch into eternal consequences. An individual can decide to do something self serving, but remember, a decision, any decision by anyone is grafted into the bark of the tree of all life. Your seemingly independent thought-choice, will affect the many lives that reside down the branch of your decision and alter those lives based upon your seemingly personal action or non-action.
—Of Fallen Nations Built on Slavery

In the middle of my pondering  over the true seriousness of a simple decision, I was about to ask a question, but; the small blade interrupted my thought and injected its own; all decisions influenced outcomes. All decisions are root. Decisions affect not just you, your family, liberty of others, but will be the fall of entire nations. It said.

nature photography by ike austin - blade of grass

nature photography by ike austin – blade of grass


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

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’

– ThirdSon and the River’s Sky

 

 

 

 

 

Nature Photography – Michigan Osprey

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Osprey

Nature Photography – Michigan Osprey
One Early Morning in a Michigan Metro Park

I went Osprey hunting several weeks ago, based on the historical patterns that the return of the Osprey’s was imminent after a long winter.

The early morning air was crisp and chilly to my hands and also it seemed to had an operational affect 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 they  darted in and out of the thick white mist.

Osprey Spring Arrival in Michigan

My wait wasn’t long before my camera equipment was swung into action. A large shape of a bird in flight was heading my way with a trail of squawking seagulls chasing close behind. It was the infamous Osprey, the Osprey had upset the other birds of the lake with it’s massive and intimidating flight.

Michigan Osprey

Michigan Osprey

Arrival of the Michigan Osprey 2012

Osprey – Magnificent Bird in Flight

The Osprey broke through the distant fog, coming in low barely skimming the water’s surface. With’in seconds it was swooping upward expanding its wings, and extending it’s razor sharp talons outward in full spread–looking like a hand full of automatic knives, then hovering and simultaneously maneuvering itself downward into the nest.

With an almost biblical appearance, the Osprey’s approach and landing maneuvers is always a sight to behold. First, one is captivated by those extended wings of the Osprey, the seemingly various poses this bird appear to orchestrate just for the camera–it’s almost as though this bird is performing at it’s best for the audience of wide eyed admirers. The Osprey never seems to disappoint the many spectators and photographers that come to visit young and old alike.

This particular Osprey brought a new branch to the nest, look’s like the branch was being used as a crowbar on her mate (Bird, Fulcrum, Lever). Was this a female Osprey using a tool trying to get her lazy mate out of the nest to go hunt for some fish?

 

Michigan Bird - Osprey Royalty Photo by Ike Austin

Michigan Bird – Osprey Royalty

After settling down into the nest. The majestic Osprey makes a surveillance of its domain, it carefully looks around from atop it’s throne; if there is an Osprey couple occupying the nest, what a royal looking pair they make, both looking very regal as they often sit side by side like two statuettes overlooking a kingdom together. Another Michigan Osprey Nesting Pair.

Mating Osprey Pair

Osprey Mating Pair - Michigan Bird

Kensington Osprey Mating Pair – Michigan Bird

 

Osprey Three Siblings Michigan Birds

All The Spring Loving Paid Off! Osprey Three Siblings Michigan Birds

 

Osprey Gold Michigan Birds - Photo by Ike Austin

Osprey Catch of the Day! Michigan Birds – Photo by Ike Austin

Predatory Birds of Prey – Michigan

Osprey at Sunrise

As the male Osprey (on of several predatory birds of prey in Michigan) returned one morning basking in the golden rays of the rising sun with a large coy fish, he let out a loud piercing shriek. It was as though he was shouting to his three young juveniles now all staring upward as he did get their attention; look at me, see what a large fish I have, I will not be dropping this one off in the nest, it is still alive and to big for any of you, now watch where I take the fish to eat it!

The male Osprey (one of the largest raptor birds of prey) then proceeded to fly overhead pass his offspring to a branch far off in the distance where he would first make sure the prey was dead and then help himself to an early morning meal. Thereafter, he would return to the nest with fish nuggets for his trio of anxiously waiting juveniles.

View a couple of more Oprey photo’s below.

Osprey-Attack-michigan - Photo by Ike Austin

Osprey-Attack-michigan – Photo by Ike Austin

 

 

Osprey-Hang Glide-michigan - Photo by Ike Austin

Osprey-Hang Glide-michigan – Photo by Ike Austin

 

Osprey Automatic Knives Michigan Birds - Photo by Ike Austin

Osprey Automatic Knives Michigan Birds


About the Osprey

Nature Photography – Michigan Bird Identification
Photo Taken: Kensington MetroPark

Group: Hawks and Egales
Name: Osprey
Pandion Haliaetus

Appearance:
The Michigan Osprey is a long 4′-6′ wingspan, black and white plumage, long skinny legs, and long powers intimidating talons.

Adult: Color is black and white

Juvenile: More grey-ish brown in color

Flight Characteristics:
Extended wings in flight and typically ride thermal drafts similar to large raptors. The Osprey will glide over the surface of water until it reach it’s nesting place.

Habitat: The Michigan Osprey prefers open grasslands, lakes and wetlands.

Nesting: Osprey will construct a rather large mounded nests made of branches and twigs of various sizes. They can be spotted high in the tops of trees, man-made platforms in parks and amazingly, high on top of 300′ foot high cell towers.

Incubates 2-4 yellowish eggs for appx 38 days. Younglings go in flight in about 50 days from day of birth.

Mating Habits: The Michigan Osprey mates for life.

Off Spring: (Juvenile) as with most larger birds.

Feeding: Fish.

Call: Series of low-high whistles.

 

About the Photography

nature photography - michigan

Nature Photography – Michigan by Ike Austin

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

Michigan Bird by Ike Austin

Michigan Bird photo by Ike Austin

 

 

National Geographic
Editors’ favorite submissions to the 2011 photo contest

 

 

 

 

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Resources:

Osprey Sightings

Michigan Department of Natural Resources 

Check the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to Learn More…

The Department of Natural Resources requests help from wildlife observers to report any sightings of osprey in southern Michigan, particularly in the Maple River area (north of St. Johns,) and in southeast Michigan (Oakland, Wayne, Macomb and Livingston counties.) Report Osprey sightings here at DNR.

Birding Associations and Organizations

This Weeks Honorable Mention:

Osprey Watch of Southeast Michigan (OWSEM)
Purpose: Osprey Watch of Southeast Michigan (OWSEM) is a volunteer organization.  Our goals are to help the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) in their efforts to restore the Osprey to Southern Michigan and to educate the public about this very special raptor.… Read More Here… http://www.owsem.org/

Membership Required: N

Informative Website Information: Y
Year Long Events: Y
Active Birder Blog(s): Y
Active Reporting: Daily
Informative Rating: 8

Osprey Nesting Endangered – Cell Towers

Read more here…

Nature Photography – by Ike Austin

Nature Photography that is Therapy for the Soul

ThirdSon and the River’s Sky
images of birdsThirdSon 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 shores for miles, moving from one spot to the next. I later discovered that the sky above this river was alive. 
    Read More Here

Photography by Ike Austin – Birds of Michigan

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Birds of Michigan – Birds Eye View

There is a sense that he who rules the skies, rule the land.

In visiting the many Michigan Metro Parks over the past thirty-five years, and walking the many off the-beaten-path nature trails, I witnessed some of my most interesting sightings of nature and a plethora of birds of Michigan.

The birds of Michigan and nature has not disappointed, even against the onslaught and wholesale destruction of over seventy-five percent of Michigan wetlands, nature rises above the occasion delivers a visual spectacle for all who visit her and wish to be enlightened.

The birds still dart, sore and glide across the skies keeping a watchful eye upon the earth and it’s less than faithful stewards below, and to some, with a slight tip of their wing, and looking at me with the eyes of a man, they covertly signal their sign of approval… I quickly snap a shot to freeze the precious moment of this rare invitation of acceptance to later gain deeper insight into the many mysteries of birds and nature.

One early morning deep in one of the hidden forests I visit, one gigantic bird glided pass my position where I stood at the edge of steep drop-off, this birded looked to be hundreds of years old an big and long as a the box car of a train forty to fify feet in length.  He passed me in total silence, we made eye contact, I heard him speaking…

“Whomever destroys his own habitat and that of others… What is man?” —ThirdSon and the River’s Sky

Birds of Michigan

Whomever destroys his own habitat and that of others... What is man?

Nature Photograpy That Brings Therapy to the Soul – I hope these photos serve your health the same.

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

 

 

Michigan Birds Photos by Ike Austin

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Michigan Birds  – Nature Photography by Ike Austin

Enjoy the many photography nature and wildlife shots, listen to the thoughts and feelings that these images place in your heart. In my personal walk with nature it has been truly therapy to my soul.  These nature photography and bird pictures will help relieve stress and help you clear your mind from the noise of everyday life that prevents us all from hearing and seeing the pure sounds and images of nature which has the capacity to benefit and alter the soul in a positive manner.

Michigan Birds

Michigan Birds

Nature Photograpy That Brings Therapy to the Soul – I hope these photos serve your health the same.

Nature speaks a silent language all of it’s own. Walk, then wait for those precious and rare moments when nature will reveal itself to you, a personal message crafted for your own benefit.  It may be communicated by a bird, insect or larger four legged mammal. It might be passed to you from the ripples on the surface of a lake or arrive to your soul upon distant low and muffled thundering emulating over the horizon.

Michigan birds are also messengers of nature.  I have been the recipient of nature’s many lessons and accumulated, time ripened wisdom. Kensington Metro Park – Jimme’ section. 

 

 

nature photography - michigan

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

Birds Photography Night Heron

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

Nature Photography – Bird Pictures

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Nature Photography and Bird Pictures
Nature and Bird Photography By Ike Austin

This fine collection of nature and art photography communicates both calm and beauty to the spirit. Nature shows us such things as birds and water ripples in an attempt to translates itself to us.  Nature photography can bring therapy to the human soul, it is with this purpose that I present these photographs of the many beautiful birds and nature scenes.

So that the full nature-to-soul experience is transferred, my photos are without digital enhancement of any kind. This means that if a scene looks and feels dreary, no digital manipulation is performed to add contrast to brighten the image. If dreariness is the emotion of the moment that nature communicated when the camera shutter snapped, it is so presented to you without impediment.

“In Silence, I hear a greater truth” —ThirdSon and the River’s Sky

Nature Photography by Ike Austin
Nature Photography by Ike Austin

Enjoy the many photography nature and wildlife shots, listen to the thoughts and feelings that these images place in your heart. In my personal walk with nature it has been truly therapy to my soul.  These nature photography and bird pictures will help relieve stress and help you clear your mind from the noise of everyday life that prevents us all from hearing and seeing the pure sounds and images of nature which has the capacity to benefit and alter the soul in a positive manner.

Visit the photo gallery to request any prints, photos or screen savers you feel particularly important to you. Go Here… Nature Photography By Ike Austin

Nature Photograpy That Brings Therapy To The Soul – I hope these photos serve your health the same.  —ThirdSon and the River’s Sky Read ThirdSon and The River’s Sky Excerpt Here