Spring

Spring is here and everything is greening up. As far as I am concerned it is a bit to early here in Northern Michigan. I decided to head North to the hills and it was very enjoyable. Only thing is I almost ended up getting myself lost. I was going from water hole to water hole chasing frogs. Before I knew it I had lost my bearings. So I turned around and tried to backtrack, but somehow I ended up about 1/2 mile from where I entered the woods. I did however find some early wildflowers that were in bloom.

 Round-lobed Hepatica

Carolina Spring-beauty

I would say it was a great afternoon. Will head back up there in a few days to see what else I can find.

Fringed Gentian ~Gentiana crinita~

Took a road trip this morning to photograph one of the wildflower species that I have never seen before. Thanks to a great friend and wonderful photographer I was able to locate and photograph this beautiful flower.

                                                              
                                                   To The Fringed Gentian

Thou blossom bright with autumn dew,
And colored with the heaven's own blue,
That openest when the quiet light
Succeeds the keen and frosty night.

Thou comest not when violets lean
O'er wandering brooks and springs unseen,
Or columbines, in purple dressed,
Nod o'er the ground-bird's hidden nest.

Thou waitest late and com'st alone,
When woods are bare and birds are flown,
And frosts and shortening days portend
The aged year is near his end.

Then doth thy sweet and quiet eye
Look through its fringes to the sky,
Blue--blue--as if that sky let fall
A flower from its cerulean wall.

I would that thus, when I shall see
The hour of death draw near to me,
Hope, blossoming within my heart,
May look to heaven as I depart.

-William Cullen Bryant, 1832

Scratches, Smoke, Wasps

Been picking blackberries everyday...so my arms are all scratched up, but it is worth it. I was out taking photos near the pond this afternoon and got smoked out. A large prescribe burn was going on and the smoke was drifting over the pond. I did get the shots I wanted plus more. On my way home I stopped by the meadow and found some paper wasps that mad a nest under a milkweed leaf.

I also found a really beautiful wildflower...

Spotted Touch-Me-Not

Not only this wildflower, but the Indian Pipes were really thick. Found 56 flowers growing, but only a couple that were single. I don't mind photographing groups of them, but I like single ones better. 

Indian Pipes

These wildflowers are one of my favorites. They are one of the few flowers that don't have any green at all. Some are a light pink or all white. They don't last long once they are up, but they are beautiful. I found a small colony of them growing along the pond. I am planning on going back in a few days to get some more images. They will be  a little taller.

Green frog...

This green frog proved to be a challenge to get a shot of.

Yesterday I went to explore a new place that I have not been to in years. I found this cool water hole in a swamp that was loaded with mosquito's. I thought I had plenty of bug spray on, but they still tried to bite. Anyways I moved in slowly so I would not scare the frog away. It was muddy and it really smelled the closer I got. I lowered my tripod to ground level and started to shoot. I was able to get about 20 images when I made a wrong move and ended up in the water. Camera gear was fine, but my leg and boot were soaked in mud and other stuff. I guess it was to much for the frog and it dove under the water only to come up further in the middle. I was not going to wade in this mucky water. It was leech heaven....so I just headed on down the trail. The deer flies were even worse than the mosquito's. At least I came home with some nice images.

Bunchberries...

Way to Humid...

I was out to the meadow for only a very short time this morning. It was just way to humid and with the sun beating down made for a not so fun time. Harsh lighting also, so I gave up and went home. I did however get a few shots of this beautiful Square-stemmed Monkey-flower. This is the first time I have ever seen this species and it is really cool looking. I'm going to try to get back out there maybe tomorrow afternoon...if it is not so hot. The wild bergamot is starting to bloom and by the looks of it will cover the meadow.

A short visit

I did a short visit to the meadows today...way to many deer flies.

However, I did get the photos I wanted at least enough to make me happy. The wildflowers are in full bloom and more blooming everyday. I plan on going back Tuesday if the weather is nice.

This Deptford Pink is growing every where and is so beautiful.

The Hare Bells are just starting to bloom.

The Ox-eye Daisies are in abundance. I love to sit in the middle of them and just take in the beauty. 

I also added a new bird species to my life list today...

Blue-winged Warbler

Also one of the resident garden spiders...Six-spotted Orb weaver has a web and it's eggs on one of the lilac bushes. More on this in a later post.

Last Day of Spring 2011

Well Summer starts tomorrow and I'm ready for it.

Today I stayed around the house and did some gardening and spent a few hours around the yard taking photos. The Mock Orange Bush is in full bloom now and the bees and other insects are working it like crazy. It is buzzing with life and the smell form the flowers is so awesome. In the evening it blows in the window...such a sweet smell. Another one of my favorite butterflies stopped by to enjoy the sweet nectar. 

The Red-spotted Purple

Also the Mossy Stonecrop is now in bloom and I plan on moving some of it to my rock garden. It adds a great color to the garden. It don't get tall, but sure is bright yellow.

The Bird'sfoot Trefoil is starting to bloom and it is another yellow flower that adds some beauty to the yard.

Beautiful Day!!

It was a great day to be outside. I spent about 4 hours today in the meadows and swamps searching for subjects to photograph. Many species flying around and many wildflowers. I plan on going back again tomorrow...just can't get enough of the outside and the beauty of the wilds. I added a two new species to my butterfly list today. The Eastern Pine Elfin and Common Ringlet.

Common Ringlet

I hope to find them again and get some better shots. They are so hard to get close too...

Here are a few more images I took today.

 Yellow Goat's Beard

Wild Columbine

Wildflowers!

I went out and searched for subjects to shoot, but did not have to look to hard. Wildflowers were every where. The warblers kept me company and so did the mosquito's. I shot over 8 gigs of images today and will have images  to edit well into the summer and fall. I just picked out a few to post and share.

 Wood Anemone

Wood Anemone

Pink Lady's Slippers

In a few days the slippers will be in full bloom. This is the first time I have been able to get shots of them before they opened. I found close to 100 plants in this place they grow every year. After this big weekend I will go back and take some photos. Also going to check on some other flowers that grow near by. I'm very sore...bought a new Mountain Bike today to use as my transportation to get to my photo sites close to home. I guess it will be some getting used to again. It will be some great exercise...

Stormy

It was really stormy last night and I for the first time tried to photograph lightning. 

I was able to get a few shots, but nothing really good. I did get some other shots that were good.

My garden is really growing and I am working in it everyday. I am heading out to do some more photography this afternoon as soon as my batteries charge.

 Trout Lily

 Large-flowered Trillium

 Lightning

Lightning

Happy Days are here again...

Today was so exciting that I am wore out.

I went down to the pond and watched a pair of loons and many other waterfowl. I took over 8 Gigs of images of wildflowers and other subjects. This afternoon I watched Baltimore Orioles coming and going at the orange feeders today. Spring is here and I'm enjoying it. Heading to the hills North of town tomorrow in search of wildflowers and moreals. I'm also starting to plan my first canoeing/camping trip of the year. About 2 more weeks and I will spend two days on the river and pond.

At Peace....

This morning and afternoon I spent time laying on the ground with my Macro lens inches away from wildflowers. It was a wonderful day...warm and no wind. I found a place that has so many Round-lobed Hepatica's that the forest floor was nothing but color. Lavender, White, Pink, Light Blue, Dark Blue and Purple. I had so many choices in subjects that I really lost track of time. I plan on going back again tomorrow and try to get some more shots. I'm looking for something different...a new angle. 

I really felt at peace today.

Spring is Here

Well it looks like spring is here.

I was not feeling well today, so I stayed around the house and took a few shots. Watched the birds come and go and planted a few flowers. Sometime tomorrow I am planning on going out in search of subjects to shoot. Sorry this is another shot post, but not much happened today.

 Spring Morning on the Mio Pond

Wet Spring Beauty

Wonderful Day!

This morning I set out on a hike looking for subjects to shoot. Seen many species of birds, including 3 species of butterflies. It was just a beautiful day to be out walking. I took well over 300 images of wildflowers. Spring-beauties, Yellow Trout Lilies, Round-lobed Hepaticas and Trailing Arbutus. Depending how bad it rains tomorrow I am planning on going back to shoot the Hepaticas. I also finished up my third garden pond today.

 Tailing Arbutus

 Round-lobed Hepatica's

Spring-beauty Close-up

Wildflowers Everywhere!

Well went out this morning with my Mom looking for Moreals, but I ended up shooting wildflowers. We found no Moreals, but the woods were covered with wildflowers. In the short time there I was able to get a few shots. Dutchman's-breeches, Spring Beauties and Yellow Trout Lilies covered the forest floor. The Trillium's are close to blooming. Going to be a good year for them. I also went out this afternoon and checked on some Round-lobed Hepatica's. They are almost ready to bloom...I did find a few in bloom, but the wind was blowing and it was hard to get a good shot. So I will go back in a day or two. They should be in full bloom by the weekend. Tomorrow I am going to another location and see what I can find.

 Dutchman's-breeches

Round-lobed Hepatica

Baby Fox Squirrel

Last evening I discovered a young fox squirrel on the ground huddled in the leaves. It had fell out of the nest that is in the eves of my house. I tried to catch it and put it back, but it took off running and ended up a tree. The mother squirrel found it a bit later and tried to get the youngster back in the nest, but she dropped it. So the little one spent the night alone in a tree. This morning the mother tried again and dropped the little one again. So I climbed up on a ladder and removed a small covering that was blocking some of the hole she had found. Later she tried again and this time made it, so they are now reunited.

It has turned cool again and I'm so tired of this cool weather. I did see a Rose-breasted Grosbeak at the feeder today. The wildflowers that are growing in my yard never opened up today. I guess it was to cool for them.

Bloodroot

Today was just wonderful. I have been busy all day...from garden work to watching the Bloodroot open to the warmth of the sun. I knew today they would open and I was right. As the sun warmed them they slowly opened up and revealed the beautiful white petals. They are so delicate and with  the yellow centers makes them on my top 20 list of favorite wildflowers. When they first open the petals look like wet wax, but as the sun warms them they turn white. It took less than 5 minutes for them to open...it was worth watching.

The spring beauties are starting to bloom and in a few days the yellow trout lilies will be opening up. I plan on going for a walk tomorrow in search of wildflowers or whatever I find that catches my eye. It won't be as warm as it was today, but it will still be nice.

Minutes after opening

                                      Minutes before opening                             

Opened