Maneuvering

If any season of the year feels like it speeds along, it’s this one between Thanksgiving and the end-of-year holidays.  Days are short, activities plentiful, and to-do lists long.  It feels like we all have a lot of balls in the air.      At our friend Pat’s house, more than balls are in the air. … Continue reading Maneuvering

Winter Surprises

There are aspects of winter that Michiganders can count on.  Snow.  Cold.  Ice.  Grey days.  Days so bright and beautiful they fill you with awe.  These are givens.   There are also surprises.      Early this winter, for example, as the dog and I set out on a morning walk, we noticed two Vs of birds… Continue reading Winter Surprises

Officially Fall

When the weather is really hot, a flock of cedar waxwings likes to fly through the spray of a fountain near here.  They are no doubt feeding on the wing, but they look like they’re playing.  The fountain, an aerator in a retention pond, shoots water fifteen feet or so up into the air, and… Continue reading Officially Fall

Early Autumn

The birds around here have been putting on a show.  Red-bellied woodpeckers—mom, dad, and junior—have been going house to house pecking on roofs and siding.  Their hearts aren’t in it, though, and the birds are gorgeous, so folks don’t mind.  Our back yard is full of drama, both within and between species.  Flickers, blue jays,… Continue reading Early Autumn

Raucous Ruckus

     There are three birdbaths in the back yard, and we hadn’t seen much action at any of them this summer.  That changed Tuesday afternoon, when the big one with the Water Wiggler suddenly became the place to be.  It was robin versus starling out there.  Also, starling versus starling and, apparently, starling versus birdbath. … Continue reading Raucous Ruckus