I thought it was my feeder types that allowed the bully birds to consume my seed in a day or two. As I was looking at yet another style of feeder in the local feed store, a clerk suggested I take a different approach. “Change the seed type, not the feeder,” she said. “Give the bullies something they don’t like.” So I changed from no-mess and sunflower seed to safflower seed. No more red-winged blackbirds, grackles, starlings, or squirrels. I’m still attracting the birds I enjoy. Magical!
With the spring season ending this week, I’m reminded of what the Alaskans call the last step of their long, spring melting process. Green-up. This year, in northwestern Lower Michigan, spring also seemed to go on forever. (I bet you’ve forgotten that by now with beautiful weather having consistently arrived.) But the resulting vibrant, lush greenery has made the wait worthwhile.
I keep my eye on the sun whenever I’m out shooting, especially if it’s near sunset. On this evening, I watched it sink through clouds, peek through the woods, light up a marsh, and finally set on a distant hillside.
I’d only seen my favorite crane pair in their usual location once this season. And then I got lucky. I was just leaving the area after shooting a farm country sunset when I saw them herky-jerkying across their regular field. Almost immediately the male began his beautiful dance, while the female turned her back and ignored him. He bowed, flapped his wings, and jumped to get her attention. Eventually she turned and joined in too. I wasn’t sure if they were preparing to mate or just dancing for fun or practice. It was about ten minutes after sunset and pretty dark already, but I adjusted my settings and got what I could of their amazing movements. Even the line of deer walking behind them stopped to watch.
Logan’s Landing is a local hot spot for birding. At the south end of Boardman Lake, the main residents are ducks, swans, and geese. And this time of year, breeding, nesting, and caring for young ones occupy their time. In the first series, a female mallard attends to her brood of eight chicks. So adorable. In the second, a mute swan sits on her nest and then she and her mate attend to their two young cygnets. Five eggs were left behind unhatched, probably inviable. Both young families attracted the attention of walkers and bikers traveling across the boardwalk bridge.
May these luscious pink flowering trees remind you of the amazing season of blossoms we’ve had. Until next spring…
