Destination: Mighty Mac

Summer in Northern Michigan means road trips. Be it a day long excursion or a multi-day adventure, the folks here have to get out and see our beautiful countryside after a long discontented Winter. While Winter 2016 was mild in terms of cold and precipitation, it was still brutal in terms of the lack of energy giving sunlight. And some times, you just have to get out of Dodge.

Resort towns dot the landscape of Northern Michigan. The months between Memorial Day and Labor Day provide a good chunk of yearly income to the mom & pop stores here. Without Summer some places would fold up for good. Traverse City keeps ranking high on travel lists, creating a larger tourist base and a greater need for locals to get out of the quintessential city of discontent. *

While not everyone can afford the kinds of vacations our listings encourage, the kind our economy thrives on, there is one way to enjoy the surrounding area of this, and any other hometown without going broke...

The Old Fashioned Way.

Clean out the car of the Winter debris, give it a good vacuum, pack some essentials then load up the gang and head out on the highway. When we were kids the Coleman cooler in electric teal blue filled the trunk almost entirely and was packed with all the essentials for a family of five for the day: Water, Faygo, lunchmeat, condiments, bread, onions, cheese, tomato, fresh cubed melon or fruit salad, potato salad, bean salad and chips, complete with a small cutting board and a sharp paring knife. Mom also packed paperplates, plastic silverware, cups and paper towels.The cooler was surrounded by beach blankets and towels, extra pants or shirts, sand toys when we were very little, and jackets in case of rain while the backseat held our distractions. For me it was a copious amount of reading or art material.

Little has changed in my 40 years. May and June are perfect travel months in Northern Michigan. Sure the weather is wholly unpredictable and requires an Eagle Scout level of preparedness but those months won't sizzle your brain like July and August do even with air conditioning. So this week, unpredictability in the forecast, the household packed up the car with lunches and drinks in a soft insulated bag, spare batteries for cameras, copious amounts of art supplies for the teenager and books for me. Then we aimed for the Mighty Mac and meandered on an undecided path to get there.

We knew we needed to hit a certain beach to look for rocks, that we wanted to travel M119 and eventually get over the bridge for some of the best smoked fish ever. Everything else was up to Fate of Wit & Whimsy. Getting out of town is always an adventure in and of itself as there is road construction just about every where you look. So after a rousing 10 minute round of Todd Yohn's Orange Barrels, we were finally reached escape velocity and were off.

The morning started out cold and windy, frost advisories should have been given the two nights before we left. My smarter gardening friends covered their plants any way. It was in the low 50s when we left. In spite of the cloud cover the day was bright and cheery between cloudy conditions.

First Stop: East Port.
East Port sits at the north end of Antrim County and directly across US 31 from the northern tip of Torch Lake, 32 miles from our start, Traverse City. That 32 miles is dotted with farms, some of which still function, multiple farmers markets and farm stands and most notably the city of Elk Rapids and the town of Torch Lake. There are also a few towns that consist of a single store, a school and are "If you blink, you'll miss it" size. East Port is such a small town. It's major landmark is the Barnes County Park where our first adventure takes place.

We are a simple people and find pleasure in the quiet pursuits. My housemate is a rock hound, I am a photobug and the teenager is interested in viewing up close and personal those things which will improve her art. Barnes Park has a reputation for quietude and a cache of interesting things washed upon the shore by Lake Michigan's churning tides. The shoreline here is still within the boundary of the Leelanau Peninsula which lies across Lake Michigan's East Grand Traverse Bay from East Port. Judging from the wave action in the cove here, that protection is negligible in the face of strong westerly winds. Northport Bay is directly across the bay from East Port at the thinnest most northern point of the peninsula. Living in Traverse City and it's immediate environs, one is quite used the the water having a boundary. Here, in Barnes Park, one starts to feel the vastness of the water. The realization that Lake Michigan more than deserves it's description of an inland Sea settles in.

top left, examining rocks and oblivious to the low flying squadron upon them; top middle, resort HQ; end, shorebirds in a rough surf. Center, the small cove at Barnes Park beach. Lower left, the walkway down the beach; lower right, bits of little significance tossed up on the sand.

I spent our short time there with my camera in an attempt to catch birds in flight. Barring the elusive photo capture, I was willing to settle for one of the birds being smacked hard by the waves. Seagulls must be inherent surfers as none met a watery end. One of the other delights of this beach, at least for this year, is the quality of the shoreline itself. There were no bugs; the winds was so strong that they may not have been possible anyway. Without bugs, I was able to spend a good amount of time looking at the coastline. With higher water levels, there seemed to be two coastlines.

The obvious coastline is where the water and shore meet in the surf. But just inside of that line another formed. You can almost see it in the end picture above.  This photo on the right is more evident. There is a slight indentation which allows the water to collect and not completely recede when the waves ebb. The last few years water levels have been so low that where coves are protected the slope up the beach is even and none of these very shallow pools have a chance to form. In coves with tremendous wave action the water carves banks for steep drops that have eliminated much beach. Gouged beaches are not terribly interesting. There isn't anywhere safe for wildlife to stand and there is no good footing for wading. Gouged beaches are also very rocky and not fun for a long term sit. The smooth beaches are equally uninteresting in their flatness and the predictability of the wave action.

Just look at this beach though. It has been cut into terraces over time, gentle terraces. The line of dune grass in the foreground marks the edge of the first terrace and the gentle slope down to the surf makes for interesting things in the space-time between ebb and flow. I think it also gives the waves a more photogenic foam.

I've always been partial to sea themed art, especially watercolor. And this is the beach that is emblematic of the type of coastal art that I find most soothing and interesting to look at. While art and photography are wonderful things for preserving a moment, nothing really beats the live action of being there. I'm a water baby and have always been drawn to the constant motion of the shore more than the placid surface of an inland lake. I could watch water all day long if it is moving. Light dances, the wind draws you in as a participant rather than leaving you as a casual observer on land. While I can not do the complicated math involved in measuring wave action I do love dynamics of motion.

It was too cold to be in the water searching for Lake Michigan's geologic treasures or to enjoy the crystalline waters as a swimmer but it was a perfect day to watch the water and the waterbirds who seemed to be showing off their flying skills. With my merry band of travelers, it was also the perfect day to pull out the puns: George, Katie and Steven Seagull playing in the water.

You & Shakespeare want to kill me now. Imagine how badly my housemates want to kill me nearly everday!





*That would be the aforementioned Dodge

Birding Update

It is mid May and we have now 20 different varieties of birds regularly attending the feeders. The previous list is updated to reflect the new arrivals. There may have been two other species, an evening grosbeak and another kind of sparrow. However, as they have not sat still for any photos and the one was a bit out of range for a clear identification, those visitors will have to remain a mystery.

Of the feathered friends who have arrived and been cataloged, one gorgeous shot has been obtained. I entered it into a photography contest today. As it has no hope of winning, and when you see the winner you will understand, I will also post it here.

I really do feel like it is one of the best birds shots that I have been able to get. It is also one of my most professional quality shots. You go through a lot of shots to get the best ones. Even the pros don't hit the mark every time. Of course it helps that this one wasn't afraid of being 4 feet from me and likes to mug for the camera. Now if only some of the other birds would cooperate.

Over the coming months there should be more birds arriving. And I guess I should add in the sand hill cranes that I saw overhead a few weeks ago. They are huge, a little terrifying and very much like a pterodactyl when you are not prepared for them. I was not prepared. And I may have screamed a little. The swans are not back in the yard though they are out on the bay. Last April we had them on the lake so I do not know why they are not here now. There was plenty of food and a not a lot of pestering from humans.

I think that I am going to add one more feeder for the small seed so that the platforms are free for the larger birds. The baby cardinals have been hanging out but the parents are scarce. Also hoping that some of the birds will get used to us enough to stick around when the camera is out. It would be especially nice to catch the Red winged blackbird in flight, showing off his bright colors.

The bird bath goes out tomorrow as well as the oriole feeder. Perhaps that will encourage more of the kind.

Feeding the Birds

Since I am stuck with low key activities for a while following a congestive heart failure diagnosis, I am relaxing in the yard now that the weather has finally warmed up. Jay Piscapoe is back and mugging for the camera now that he seems to know what it is.

There is actually quite a number of visiting species in the yard. Many more than there were at this time last year. I don't know how long it takes for them to spread the word that there is food. But I do know that they are all well aware now.

Jay here, keeps hopping up on top of the Shepard's hook where there are two tube feeders. One is full of nyjer and the other I change up depending on what I have on hand. This time it is a cardinal mix which will serve up a variety of birds. Jay bobs and sings from this perch and then gets all weird about it. That's what he was doing in this shot.

Jays get a bad rep for chasing other birds out of the feeders. This guy is doing pretty well with sharing. I just wish he would help the chickadees defend against the big squirrels that keep dumping the feeders out. He's got to be at least as big as a squirrel, bigger when he is all puffed up and agitated.

We also have last year's old faithful friends, as a mentioned in a previous post. Cardinal Richelieu is as fat and sassy as ever. He's taken to sitting in the pine tree and crowing orders. A few females come in to eat after he is done pontificating... I really wish I knew exactly what these guys are saying.

New this year, as I said, is the Junco Squad. There is rarely less than 5 at a time. And none of them can sit still long enough for the camera to shoot the cluster of them. They have a habit of hopping and flipping up their food. They definitely stir up the dirt and the snow when we had it. New this year as well is this little guy...

Dr. Gregory House Finch. Clearly he is too good for the camera as well. Since this one is new, I've only seen it for the last 3 days, I don't have it's habits down yet. Each species seems to approach the feeders in different ways. Knowing how they approach helps me to set up the shot and get them before they get away. I don't know Greg's pattern yet. He has a lady friend and she seems to be okay with direct confrontation. I may have to name her Cutty.

The yellow finches are not as common at the feeder as they were last year. I have seen them. They just haven't gathered en mass yet.

Also new to the group is Rod Starling. I'm not too sure what is going on with this one either. I think this is mostly a late morning bird. Once we broke noon he was no where to be seen.

What little I know about starlings could fill a thimble. I did think that they traveled in rather large groups as swallows will do. My mother was always terrified that the glittering little darlings would take over the garage because dad would leave the doors open all day. 

They never did. Mostly, they kept to the rafters of the abandoned chicken coop. I still think it is strange that this guy has been here alone. But maybe they wait until the lines are shorter. 

Richard Nuthatch? 

Now that I have started on the naming pattern it is getting a little more difficult. Richard Hatch was in Starsky and Hutch. Don't ask me who was who. I quit watching when my mom announced she had a crush on the dark haired guy. Ewwww. I can't think of anyone else with a Hatch name. 

I also can not think of a fictitious character to name this one after. There is both this white breasted and and the standard nuthatch visiting the feeders. The standard nuthatch remains elusive. Both are very active birds. The brown one seems to have some kind of avian ADHD because it will NOT sit still. It barely stops to actually eat anything. 

And I have no idea what to name the Red winged blackbird. Other than Detroit. See where I will run into problems? Every time I see him I hear Paul McCartney in my head.  

This one is going to be difficult to capture. It doesn't yet come close enough to explore the feeder closer to the house like the others do. I want to capture this one in flight as the flashing color is gorgeous. But it keeps itself tucked in at the edge of the property.

I've put out suet this year because of the unpredictable cold spells. That is the feeder that he prefers. I can't tell if he is really eating the suet or just hangs on that side so that he fits well enough to reach the seeds in the tray. 

Undoubtedly there will be more bird photos in the coming days. 

Winter Visitors and Catching Up

Some SWR4 Baden-Württemberg and photo editing today. I wanted to do some baking but there is a reason that I took today off. I've some some lingering Winter crud going on and I need to be bundled in the warm and sleep a bit. Unfortunately, keeping the bird feeders full means there is a lot of singing outside of my window. And one angsty cat at the foot of my bed. If my room had a door I would lock her out. But for now, she is chattering at the singing flutter bugs outside and I am writing.

To be honest, I probably need the time alone today to write as much as to rest. In the chaos that has been my work environment I have slowly started to slip into the drudgery that I always feared would come with a regular job. I eat sleep and work. Little else has happened. And it does take a toll on my personality and temperament. I have a shorter fuse when I can not do the things that I like to do.

So today, with the doctor's blessing I am home. With fate's blessing I am alone. With birds and cats but that isn't the same as being surrounded by people who need something form me. I miss writing. I miss my camera. I miss cooking my German foods. Eventually it will all settle down and I will be able to get back to some kind of regular writing schedule.

So today I will just catch up with the things that I love: listen to some German radio, catch up on the news from Matthias' new album, Phoenix, and wait impatiently for the album to come to me, make my own coffee drinks and watch the yard. The peace and quiet is good for me. I need to do this more often.

I am also contemplating a name for this guy.

Though he has a bit of rust in him, this is a grey squirrel. In the tradition that I started last year, I want the name to be punny. I was thinking Charles Grey Squirrel. Charles Grey was Mycroft in the Granada production of Sherlock Holmes. Joel Grey Squirrel would be to name him after an American actor who appeared in Patrick Stewart's Christmas carol. For obvious reasons he won't be named Christian. I might go with Dorian. It is classic and since I will never be able to tell one grey from another in a pack, much less during my lifetime then the one that shows up will always be the new young model and keep with the legend of the story. I haven't decided yet.

I came home in the middle of a snow storm the other day to find him frantically bouncing the snot out of the box feeder I got from ALDI. He'd already shaken the seed mix out of it and apparently thought that a temper tantrum would produce more. When I pulled up he scampered into the tree and found a limb to perch on. Then he screached at me, waving his tail and pumping his fists after stamping his feet. I've been cussed at by a lot of animals and people who seem to think that I live to serve without need for food or peeing my self. But this is the first that a squirrel actually had the nerve to yell at me.

How does one not anthropomorphize in those situations?

This Weather is For the Birds

Now that the stray kittens are taken care of the birds want attention too. The first real day I felt certain that Spring had sprung I hung out the feeders as I mentioned in that other post. Filled it a second time before the snow started flying and it hasn't stopped. The Upper Peninsula got hit way worse than us. Our last Winter Storm Advisory was cancelled while the UP should have had theirs extended.

The snow that we did get was enough to panic all the early returning Spring birds. I tell you, this weather has everyone screwed up. Even the Killdeer are back early. And freezing their tail feathers off. It has to suck being a ground nesting bird in Michigan. The only really nice thing about the snow is that since I am the first feeders full in the trailer park this is where they all came to roost. And I am working on getting some good picks of our fine feathered friends. More importantly though, I am getting the best variety in attendance.

I am using the Royal Wing brand sold in a variety of places across the country. Currently Tractor Supply has their bags at 2.00 off and will do so until the end of April. As advertised on the packages, I am getting all the birds that the seed mixes promise. The early birds on the roster are:

Paridae
      chickadee ~parus atricapillus, poecile atricapillus
updated 5/12/16
      tufted titmouse ~parus bicolor

Bombycillidae
      cedar waxwing ~bombycilla cedrorum

Charadriidae
      killdeer ~charadrius vociferus

Sittidae
      white-breasted nuthatch ~sitta carolenensis

Columbidae
      mourning dove ~zenaida macroura

Turdidae
      American Robin ~ turdus migratorius

Corvidae
      blue jays ~cyanocitta cristata

and from the largest collection in the family
Fringillidae
      slated colored junco ~ junco hymealis
      chipping sparrow ~spizella passerina
      pine siskin ~carduelis pinus
      american goldfinch  ~carduelis tristis 
      northern cardinal ~cardinalis cardinalis
updated 5/12/10
      rose-breasted grosbeak ~pheucticus ludovicianua
      white-crowned sparrow ~zonotrichia albicollis

A few of our feathered friends have trouble distinguishing themselves from other of their kind. There is a sparrow that looks like a siskin but fatter. And that sparrow looks like another thrush or a wren. So that one I am having trouble identifying. For the others that seem to be one thing but left me more than a reasonable doubt I went by the birdsong that I heard while the Winter Wind was blasting everyone in the face. The website http://www.enature.com/birding/audio.asp is a great resource to help identify the copycats. They may look alike but they don't sound alike.


4/8/2016
Icteridae
      red winged blackbird ~agelaius phoeniceus
updated 5/12/16
      common grackle ~quiscalus major

4/9/2016
Picidae
      downy woodpecker ~picoides pubescens
updated 5/12/16
      hairy woodpecker ~picoides villocus
      red-headed woodpecker ~melanerpes erythrocephalus