TWO FAVORITES

 Rose of Sharon and Hibiscus are my late summer favorites.  The second image is from my own yard.  I planted it this spring to attract birds.  My hummingbird found it first, feasting on its sweet nectar.

 

 

BACKYARD VISITORS

 I’m slowly building my backyard habitat to attract birds. Goldfinches are my regulars. They love drinking from my patio fountain.  Recently, I put out a hummingbird feeder. This ruby-throated beauty became the first to visit.

 

 

LAVENDER

 Another fragrant, vibrant summer beauty.

 

 

GREAT EGRET

I was passing a small wetland on the corner of US-31 and Sawyer Road when I spotted a great egret, the first I’d seen this year.  I pulled over to watch the gorgeous bird feed, but I was still too far away for good close-ups.  Sometimes the thrill is in the seeing versus the picture-taking.

 

 

DIRECTIONAL CHALLENGES

 I was in Maple City taking pictures when I realized I wasn’t far from the Bohemian Road/669 beach.  Unable to resist the Lakeshore’s pull, I headed there and found the beach full of people.  It was a great sight, but not ideal for scenic photography.  So I drove a short distance to Lake Michigan Road, which runs parallel to the water, and saw beautiful beaches, sun-drenched fern forests, keyhole views of the Whaleback, and Shalda Creek awaiting the fall salmon run.  I drove the north end first and then turned around for the south end.  I was puzzled, though, because my mirror compass and my GPS both showed I was going northwest when I KNEW I was headed south.  It wasn’t until I got home and looked on Google Maps that I found I’d been heading “up” towards Pyramid Point.  Indeed, I’d been going north after all.