New Years Birding Blitz

My good friend and fellow blogger Jeff Schultz and I headed out to Sault St Marie Michigan over New Years in search of a Yellow Billed Loon that had been seen in the St. Mary's river. We hit a few snow squals on the way up to the Soo but for the most part the roads were dry. Once there we hooked up with three more of our friends who had already travelled north in search of this rare visitor.
We hit the hay early, no staying up late to watch the ball drop in New York City, we had visions of Yellow Billed Loons as our first bird of the year. We woke before sunrise and found the temperature had dropped considerably. Sub zero temperatures and a strong north wind made for difficult and uncomfortable birding. We heard from someone that the wind chill was 33 below, brrr. Jeff was trying his best to keep his gaze away from any possible sighting of a bird, he really wanted the Loon to be his first of the year. As we made our way to the parking area I completely forgot about his goal and seeing something flying through the sky I pointed and asked him "Whats that" reflexes got the best of him and he looked up and casually said Raven. That was when the shouting began. Honestly, I did not try to ruin it for him but well, Lets just say I will be hearing about this one for a long time to come, OPPS!

We made our way to the waters edge and set up for what might be a long wait in subzero temperatures but after an hour the loon made it's first appearance. It first surfaced far out in the channel mixing with the fog rising off the water. Diving quickly looking for a fish to eat the bird slowly made it's way toward us. Each dive brought this arctic visitor closer and closer until "pop" it surfaced right in front of us. The sun had finally climbed high enough above the whisps of fog to bathe the bird in the warm glow of sunrise. Jeff and I both began rattling off shots with our cameras but Jeff, who had forgot to pack his gloves, soon found he no longer had use of his fingers. Fortunatly this was after the two of us were able to capture a number of images documenting the first Michigan record of a bird that should have been in the Pacific Ocean or Alaska.

Leaving the loon we set off in a caravan of cars in search of owls, Hawk Owls and Snowy Owls in particular. Our friends Calvin, Charlene and world famous chaser extrordinare Scott Jennex led Jeff and I to an area where they had seen Northern Hawk Owls the day before. Slowing our vehicles we first came across a small group of Sharp Tailed Grouse feeding on buds in a group of trees. These birds who are normally very skittish allowed us a fairly close approach without spooking. We snapped a few photos then proceeded farther down the road where Calvin quickly spotted a Northern Hawk Owl perched in the top of a tree. The bird was the first of two that we would find during the course of our morning birding, an excellent find in deed.

Already in just a short time I had added three birds to my Life List and this number would soon swell to a total of five birds within the next hour as we added Pine Grosbeak and Bohemian Waxwings to the days tally. Roughlegged Hawk (both light and dark morphs), Snowy Owl, Snow Buntings and many others would be found before the days birding was done.

It was time to say good bye to the Upper Pennsula and head south on I-75. A great start to the New Year, great birding with great friends, life is good.

Namaste, and Happy New Years

Charles Owens

Pt Mouillee August 9th 2009

After a lengthy sabbaticle from birding and photography I finally summoned up the energy to bring my camera on a quick excursion to one of my favorite late summer desinations, Pt Mouillee in Southeastern Michigan. The day started out beautifull but promised to heat up into the 90's as the day progressed so leaving early was important. As I was unloading my bike from the car I was surprised to see fellow birder Jerry Jourdan pull in and begin unloading his gear. We teamed up, checked our gear and headed out to the marsh. Our destination was Cell#3 where a number of shorebirds had been reported earlier in the week.

Upon arrival we immediatly found the eight American White Pelicans that have been staying in this area for the last month or so. Also located was the lone American Avocet and a number of smaller "Peeps" I located a Spotted Sandpiper while Jerry was digiscoping a small group of Sanderlings in the middle of the mudflats. A nice surprise was seeing two Ruddy Turnstones behind the resting Pelicans. The Turnstones were to distant for my camera lens but I have included a photo of a couple of them taken at Crane Creek a few years back. On the way back out we found a small Fox Snake.

We made it back to the cars after riding the entire distance against the strong westerly wind
that had blown up; no small feat considering this was my first bike ride this year.

It was good to get out again and kickoff the fall migration with some truelly wonderful birds

Namaste,

Charles Owens

The Final Finale

The last day of May found my good friend Jeff and I heading out for one last hurrah of spring birding. Today's target was the southwestern corner of Lower Michigan, Berrien County to be precise. There had been a number of unusual sightings over the past few days with Fish Crow and Nelson's Sharptailed Sparrow leading the list of hopeful sightings for the day.

After a two and a half hour drive we found ourselves driving along the edge of the local landfill where the Fish Crow had recently been seen. We were only halfway along when I noticed a crow flying across the field to our left. This bird seemed different right away, with a rapid wingbeat and an apparent small overall size to the length of its body. This would not be good enough for us to be comfortable with the identification so we watched as the bird flew up along the edge of the hill and was accosted by another crow. The size difference was very apparent, and we were both beginning to believe this was the bird we were looking for, but the two of us needed one more field mark as to this birds true identity, vocalization.

The American Crow is well known for it's loud raucous CAW CAW CAW, no decent Halloween display would be complete without the sound of a crow being piped through hidden speakers in the front lawn. A Fish Crow however is another matter; having a softer nasaly Uh uh call with the second uh being lower than the first. After rescuing a turtle in the middle of the road from passing cars we parked along the southwest corner of the landfill property. We could hear the call of American Crows coming from the trees to our west and mixed in with their calls we could make out the vocalizations of the Fish Crow. Now, some birders will go ahead and say that hearing a bird is the same as seeing it, and I would never try to say if this is right or wrong, but for this birder, I have to see each bird before adding it to my life list; this explains the lack of rails on my list. This bird however would need to be seen and heard at the same time for a positive identification. Turkey Vultures soared past us, American Kestral hunted overhead and scores of Crows flew back and forth from the landfill to the trees. Finally after much waiting a lone Crow rose from the landfill, and as it flew slowly to the trees it began to call; Uh uh......Uh uh; we had the Fish Crow.

It was time for lunch so we stopped at Pizza Hut for a bite to eat. While we waited, Jeff perused the internet for the latest sightings. We came across a posting that pretty much pinpointed the location of the Nelson's Sharptailed Sparrow. The bird it seems, was quite a ways out in the swamp and was best reached by boat. The water here was not deep and could be easily waded, but after discussing the matter further we both decided that stomping through the water and disrupting the fragile ecosystem (especialy during nesting season) was not worth the glory of adding a bird's name to a state, county, or life list; nor was it worth a great photo opportunity. Yes, we are ethical birders, and I am proud to say that on May 31st 2009, Jeff Schultz and I missed out on the Nelson's Sharptailed Sparrow.

After lunch we made our way to Warren Dunes State Park and were quickly rewarded with a singing Prairie Warbler along the dune trail. This has been one of my nemesis birds. I was able to get some photos of this beautiful bird and finally add it to my Life List. I was not only treated to a magnificient sighting, but I also learned a valuble lesson, hike through the sand and see the bird first, then go eat your pepperoni Pizza.

Next we travelled to some grassland trails where we found Eastern Meadowlark, Field Sparrow, Indigo Bunting, Orchard Oriole, Brown Thrasher and last, but not least, a pair of Henslow's Sparrows.

Three "Life Birds", five "First of the Year" birds, not to mention 11 wood ticks between the two of us; most of which were found while driving 70 miles per hour down I-94 (my apologize to the gentlemen in the red pick up truck), and a wonderful day spent outdoors with a good friend, makes for a truely fantastic end to a remarkable spring of birdwatching in Michigan and Northwest Ohio.

Namaste,

Charles Owens

Slow day at the boardwalk

Prothonotary Warbler

Warbling Vireo

Diving Tern

Ruddy Turnstone

Prothonotary Warbler singing..If he would only turn around!

Olive sided Flycatcher

It took awhile but he finally turned around:)

Great Crested Flycatcher

Red Phase Eastern Screech Owl...preening, Oh Yeah

Only at Magee Marsh would this be considered a "Slow Day"

Namaste,

Charles Owens

This is the End...well almost

Black Billed Cuckoo

Bay-Breasted Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler at nest

Philadelphia Vireo

Canada Warbler

Bay-Breasted Warbler

Migration is beginning to wind down. Most of the birds have found their territories and are beginning the breeding process. This coming weekend will bring in the migrants that choose to travel a bit later than the others, the last wave. Hopefully a Connecticut Warbler or a Mourning Warbler will grace the front of my lens. If this weekend brings only a few birds I will be unable to complain, it has been a wonderful spring.

There will be no time to rest however I'm already preparing for grassland sparrows singing and catching the beginning shorebirds as they return south from the arctic. How many days till Hawkwatch? Lets see.....

Namaste

Chuck

The Peak of Migration

YES THE BIRDS WERE THIS CLOSE

Words alone could never describe what walking the now world famous boardwalk at Magee Marsh is like during the spring migration. I, along with approximately 8000 other people from as far away as California, Florida and Great Britian witnessed a fantastic showing of Neo-Tropical birds. Yellows, blues, oranges and reds flashed before our eyes as these tiny birds hurried from branch to branch in search of something to eat, stopping occasionaly to break into song.

All the photos above were taken on Mothers Day over an 11 hour period with my Canon 40d and 300mm lens, no teleconvertor was used, none was needed...yes, they are that close.

Namaste,

Charles Owens

When Times are Hard

Times are not easy; this simple statement unfortunatly has come to define our generation. Like our mothers and fathers before us we find ourselves in the midst of worldwide conflict, economic depression, and a possible pandemic. Hard times are here, and for many it seems that they are here to stay. Though we struggle to maintain our standard of living, or for some to try and put together lives that have been shattered by job loss or foreclosure, we remain strong. As a species, we will continue forward and we will perservere.

So too are times hard for the songbirds that grace our countryside and woodlots this time of year. We enjoy their rich voices every morning and bask in the bright colors of these wonderful little birds; but consider what they have gone through to reach our summer gardens. Imagine for a brief moment leaving your home and flying away from everything that you know. Striking out with nothing to guide you but a desire to go somewhere better. You know that you cannot stay where you are because things are changing, your very survival may depend on the journey ahead, so you strike out in a direction that you feel will provide you with better opportunities. Along the way there will be major obstacles; storms may blow you off course, others may seek to harm you, and fatigue...oh that ever present fatigue. After a long days journey you may find there is no place for you to rest so you have no choice but to continue on. You are forced to spend 24 hours traveling without rest, nothing but water lies below you and you cannot swim. Your wings ache and there is no energy left inside of you so your body begins to turn on itself, burning the very muscle tissue that keeps you from plumeting into the sea below. Your journey is an eternity of struggle, and when you have no more to give and despare begins to take hold, you see it on the horizon...a place to rest. Prosperity will come in the form of a good meal, a place to rest, and fresh water to drink. You were strong enough, you had the determination to do what had to be done...you will make it through.


This is true, not only for the warblers and the other neotropical migrants but for all of us as well. Some of us will continue on unaffected, while others will be forced to strike out in a new direction, looking for that place which will offer us a place to live and prosper once more. Like the warblers (pictured above) who left their homes in Central and South America almost a month ago, travelling thousands of miles, crossing the gulf of Mexico non stop only to end up sitting on a branch in front of my camera, we will find a place to land. Throwing our wings/arms up to the sky in jubilation and shout out for anyone to hear that we too were strong enough, we had the determination to make it through the hard times, and we too will live.

Namaste,
Charles Owens