SUMMER VISITORS

 Neither of these birds is rare, but they are only here during the summer, so sightings are less common.  I was deep in the woods somewhere in northwestern Wexford County when I spotted this broad-winged hawk.  I’d never seen one before, which made seeing it exciting.  On another evening, I was exploring the Lake Dubonnet Trail when I spotted movement in a distant tree.  Luckily, when this Red-headed woodpecker flew to a nearby post, I got a better look.  It was only the second time I’d seen this striking bird.  I lucked out both times. 

 

 

MOMENTS OF SUNSHINE

 

As the smoke diminished somewhat over last weekend, I headed to the Lakeshore, hoping for a sunset.  My first stop was Inspiration Point, where the sky was murky, but at the Glen Lake narrows, the sun was bright and visible.  I reached the Dune Climb as the sun sank behind Sleeping Bear. It was eerily quiet, with no one climbing to watch the spectacular view.  I proceeded to Empire Beach and found it mostly empty, too.  I had my pick of front row parking spots, a rarity on summer evenings.  As I listened to the waves rush ashore, it felt wonderful to be outdoors at the water again.  But the haze occluded the sun, so all I got was a pink sky.  

 

 

OTHERWORLDLY

  

It resembled fog, but browner. Plus, fog doesn’t smell.  Despite the air quality from the Canadian wildfires, I headed out to take pictures. The results reminded me of watercolor, painted in layers with soft edges. Despite the deepening gloom, my catch of the evening was a pair of fawns with their mother.

 

 

 

SUMMER IN BLOOM

 

 

 

SEEKING FAWNS

 

Deer have been plentiful on my recent drives. I love photographing these beautiful critters, but I’d been hoping to see some fawns, too.  Finally, I spotted one with her mother in a distant field.  The doe bolted, but the fawn kept grazing. Finally realizing it was alone, the fawn white-tailed it to catch up.  So sweet.