‘Tis the first Monday of a new month, so it’s time to use the August nature calendar page which is featured above. This venue is Tipperary, Ireland … not that there is anything Irish-looking about the photo.
It was Father’s Day when I made this two-park trip and yes I did explore. I had planned to go on Saturday, but Mother Nature played spoiler with hazy skies, very poor air quality and two days prior, a tornado had touched down in Monroe County, not all that far from this venue. Sunday was clear and bright, but hot and humid. Summer had not even officially arrived yet and I realized I had already whined plenty about the muggy weather, even after saying in the depths of Winter “I will not whine on searing hot Summer days!”
In the end I sure was glad I waited a day as you will see as this post unfolds.
I planned on getting to Lake Erie Metropark early to beat that heat and for the off-chance I’d see some deer out foraging and who knows … maybe even a fawn or two.
Since I’d just visited Cove Point and the Marina in May, on Mother’s Day, I decided my June visit would be the marshy areas and the boat launch. It’s a fairly long drive from the entrance of this park to the Marshlands Museum and on that last turn, I saw a half-dozen Egrets, their reflections as gorgeous as the birds themselves. This was across the street from that pyramid of Egrets I saw, photographed and blogged about last year Stopping is forbidden, (or at least discouraged), so I zipped over to the Museum to park and walked back.
I encountered this gaggle of geese …
… then hurried over to the marshy area to see the Egrets. I admired them and got a few shots …
… when a pick-up truck hauling a big boat rumbled on by thus spooking the Egrets and in a flurry of white wings they departed … so much for that fabulous find (although there was a bonus deer in the last shot).
On the other side of the road, the Great Blue Heron was undaunted by my presence.
There were fabulous flora and fauna finds!
I headed back to the Museum to say “hey” to Luc, the resident bald eagle who uttered not a single chirp of recognition, but I had his attention, albeit with his head swiveled backward, the entire 10-minute chat.
Next, I decided to check out the progress on the lagoon by the boathouse and was pleased to see the water level was normal again. Pond Lilies and especially the invasive aquatic plant Frogbit were already overtaking the water’s surface.
Gone were the dredges and airboats and the promised increased waterfowl did return. A few Egrets and Herons were fishing way across the lagoon and I saw a Mama Mallard with her young’uns. I think there are nine ducklings, though my eyes were running together and it is confusing with the reflections to do an exact count.
Doe, a deer, a female deer.
I told Luc I was off on an adventure and would see him soon and, as I climbed the hill to the parking lot, a flash of a deer tail caught my eye. A White-tailed Deer was standing 10 feet from my car! I crept closer toward her as she stood there stripping the leaves off the trees that grew on the fringe of the parking lot.
I spoke to her softly, so hopefully I could get closer. Unfortunately, my efforts were thwarted when a vehicle came speeding by and she trotted away toward the woods.
Should I follow this doe into the woods?
Well, you know me, so you already know the answer to that question. I picked up the pace and headed over to the Trapper’s Run Trail to see where she was, or if we would be playing hide-and-go-seek. I barely stepped onto the Trail and was rewarded for doing so as the doe had discovered another tree with tasty leaves and was happily munching away.
This little lady was as hungry for leaves as I was for photos of her enjoying those leaves.
I spoke softly and she didn’t bolt – yay! I planted myself on the wooden boardwalk, camera pointed in her direction. She stepped forward – so did I, pleased that I didn’t scare her. I figured she tolerated my presence because those leaves were mighty tasty. The dappled sunlight made it a tad dark but that was okay too.
A young woman came along and stopped to see what I was photographing and asked if I was a birder because her sister was. Her name was Rebecca and I pointed at the doe which she had not seen up to that point. We chatted and she left to continue her walk.
The repeated clicking of the camera’s shutter gave the doe cause to pause and occasionally she looked up at me, aware and alert of this human, those hauntingly beautiful eyes and twitching ears, endeered, er … endeared her to me.
Well, I never made a move and spoke to her in a soothing voice so I know I didn’t spook her, but something else did. With a sudden start she bolted, and ran out of the woods, through the parking lot…
… then she loped down the road and crossed into a dense wooded area. Although I was not going to be that easily deterred, those cloven hoofs were no match for me. She was hoofin’ it and left me in the dust.
The long and winding road to the Boat Launch area.
I headed down to the Boat Launch area and Cherry Island Trail, alternating between walking on the road in the shade and along the wooden overlook in the heat, the latter being the more-scenic view. A loud chirping noise above caught my attention. I recognized the call of an Osprey and saw one gliding overhead, then out of my clear view. I figured it was on a stick-finding mission, so I decided to stop at the fire station on the way home to check out its nest.
I looked across the lagoon to take a photo of the boathouse just as a Heron alighted on the wooden overlook fence. Hmm. It couldn’t have done that while I was still there?
It stayed on that fence for a while. Behind this young fisherman I watched it, but I was really too far away for a good shot. It eventually flew down to the water.
The nature trail ends at the Boat Launch area where, by mid-September, the raptor counts will begin and folks with binoculars and cameras with tripods will gather here.
Ambling along the Cherry Island Trail.
Happily the shoreline trail was neither soggy nor muddy. This female Mallard posed prettily, her profile even nice as a reflection.
As I stood on the wooden overlook across the marsh I was surprised how many Lily pads were already floating on the water – no blooms yet though. There was a bird which I instantly recognized by the shape of its head and unusual-looking beak as a Common Moorhen … it was not on my Birdie Bucket List. It is also known as a Swamp Chicken.
But, before my walk was done I WOULD find a bird from my List, but did not realize it until I saw it on the computer screen many weeks later. Not to disparage female birds, but its drab plumage and disheveled feathers made me think it was a Mallard.
So that “Big Reveal” will be Wednesday.
There were no more fab finds at Lake Erie Metropark that morning. Even the Ring-billed Seagulls were scarce and, as I headed to the car, a Great Blue Heron was shrieking its head off as it flew away in a huff once it spotted me.
It was late morning by then and I still planned a stop at Elizabeth Park, so I walked back to the car and drove to the fire station on the outskirts of this Metropark, hopeful for an Osprey photo op. As I parked and looked up, I knew I would get that photo op.
There he was … a big ol’ Osprey sitting atop this pole.
The pole was next to the nest area, which, you may recall from last year’s posts, is actually the fire station’s siren!
The Osprey perched, in King-of-the-Hill fashion, on that tall pole (which truly didn’t look too comfortable to me) and finally took a notion to go on another stick-finding-mission.
Poof, it was gone in a flash, giving me an opportunity to view the beautiful underside of its wings.
I waited about ten minutes for it to return, then left. Of course I saw that Osprey once I was driving along West Jefferson Avenue, a beakful of sticks to refurbish its already twiggy-and-disheveled-looking abode. Soon thereafter I was at my next venue, Elizabeth Park, which will be the subject of next week’s post.
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
A delightful outing, well narrated 🙂
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Thank you Anne. This was a jam-packed-with-critters walk! Sometimes I go there and see very little – it was definitely my day!
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You found so much to share! Thank you.
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You’re welcome Anne – every time I turned around, there was something else to see!
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All the pictures were great but I enjoyed the deer shots the best. You got great close ups.
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Thanks Kate – those were my favorite shots too. In retrospect, I guess it was good the person sped past her in the parking lot so I could get closer to her in the woodsy area.
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It’s amazing what you can see when you take the time to see it. I like your photos and am with Kate about the deer shots.
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Thanks Ally – it was a lucky day for me, though it seems to be hit-or-miss at this park. I have been back there three times since this day, but this was my best day. The deer was a treat, especially up close in the wooded area.
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I think that deer was the crown jewel of your shoot Linda! I’m happy you chatted with Luc, I’m sure not many do.
Being around other humans will eventually spook your subjects.
Great shots and effort here Linda!
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Glad you liked these photos Wayne – what a great day I had! I really enjoyed being near that deer in the woods – we were fairly close to one another, but I don’t know what spooked her as the woman walker had left awhile ago and we were both whispering. I don’t think it was me though as she seemed pretty content. I have been back three or four times since that day and stopped to see Luc each time except for when it rained shortly after I arrived. I saw him this past Saturday as well as an eagle flying overhead.
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Father’s Day seems so long ago, Linda. My favorite on this outing are the peaceful photos of the egrets with the beautiful water mirroring. I suspect your favorite are the photos and time spent with the deer (until the annoying person walked up to you and started chatting!). Ugh People.
I love the photograph of the egrets taking flight with the fawn watching on the shoreline and the capture you got wither fawns reflection. Peaceful moments in nature I adore so much!
I definitely count 9 ducklings with Mama Mallard.
My second favorite are all the photographs of the Osprey taking into flight with the beautiful colors of its underwings. Great timing!
Enjoyed your story telling today.
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I know it TD – I am always behind in my posts. In the Wintertime I am posting about trips taken in the Summertime. The only time I am timely is for holidays. 🙂
I really like those egrets too. There are a lot of egrets at this park, but I have found this area of the marsh, on either side of one particular road, where they like to hang out in the water and in the trees.
I wasn’t sure of how many ducklings – my eyes were crossing as I tried counting them versus their reflections.
I was lucky with the Osprey – usually I can’t see much if it is up in the nest, unless it takes flight. Glad you liked the story … it was a long, critter-filled walk.
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Wow, that osprey perch doesn’t look very comfortable 🙂 You got some great pictures!
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Thanks Janis – it was a critter-filled day for me, that’s for sure. I wondered how the osprey could even perch on that stick and it was there for a long time. Glad you enjoyed the pictures – I wish every walk there was as lucky as this one!
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Miss Linda…………………………Boy……………………..that was some awesome close up pictures of the large osprey………………………..thank you…………………..even the female deer was a beauty…………………………..
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Thank you Ann Marie – that osprey seemed happy to sit up high on that skinny perch which looked uncomfortable. That female deer was a beauty and I was lucky to share so much time inside the woodsy area before she suddenly bolted. I don’t know what scared her – I don’t think it was me as she seemed content while she was eating. I was amazed when I saw the photos just how high deer kick up their legs when they run – that deer was on the move!
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I find it amazing and wonderful that this parks, so close to city traffic and noise, are so full of birds and other wildlife that seem to tolerate you and other people pretty easily. Thanks for taking me along again! Love the osprey!
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I am glad you liked this post Zazzy – this was the walk I told you about and said I would probably not post about it ’til August. I was excited to share this walk as it was so critter-filled. It seemed every time I turned around, I saw something to take photos of. That osprey was a fun stop for me. Last time I only saw it in the nest and in the sky, but it stayed on that uncomfortable perch forever and then good thing I didn’t blink as it was gone in a flash!
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What a great day! your deer encounter was lots of fun. That time of year she may have been eating for 2 or 3. They usually have babies between May and July. I bet if you went today that trail would be both muddy and soggy – everything is!
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Ruth, this was my second best day at Lake Erie Metropark (#1 being the encounter with the fawn when its Mama left it standing near me while she jumped into the marsh for a swim)! I was wondering about that but couldn’t tell from studying her shape, but it was just mid-June, so I’ll bet you’re right. She sure was hungry! That Cherry Island Trail is usually soggy when there’s been any rain, so I know I won’t go on it if we have had rain the past few days. I always keep a clean pair of walking shoes in the trunk of the car, just in case I sink into a lot of mud. We are having rain/storms (not severe thankfully) Thursday through Saturday … probably the same for you. I hope all your crops survive this Summer.
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We were getting a lot of bottom rot on the tomatoes, so my husband added lime to the soil, and he has fertilized several times to replace nutrients that are being washed from the soil. It won’t be the best year but there is still hope.
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That’s good – glad you had a remedy to keep from everything rotting on the vine. Not all that long ago, drought was the big issue.
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One extreme to the other. There seems no happy medium anymore.
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The Farmer’s Almanac says a snowy Winter; the National Weather Service says an El Nino Winter means less cold and snow. Go figure.
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Shaking my head. LOL.
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That was a jam-packed walk, wasn’t it? I’m a little bummed that WP seems to have decided to distort many of the photographs when I read on my phone (as I usually do). Didn’t used to happen – a recent “upgrade” no doubt.
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Eilene – I would have to say this was my second favorite walk at this venue. A few years ago I saw a Mama deer and her fawn and I pulled into a parking spot to take a photo. The mom took off for a swim in the marsh and left her baby with me for a long time and very close by. Then she left the marsh, signaled for the fawn to follow her and it trotted off, flicking its white tail and looking back at me … I think I floated home and I took a ton of shots as you might imagine. 🙂 A week or so ago I saw a post by WP in Reader that they had enhanced the mobile app for viewing. I don’t view anything on a phone, so I haven’t noticed that change. Their “upgrades” often leave me shaking my head. I’ve been in the middle of drafting a post when a WP change occurs and I’ve had to save the draft and return later to finish it.
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I don’t really know for a fact it is WP software at issue or my iPhone software. That’s just part of the frustration of it all.
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Eilene – do you use Reader or in the alternative, do you subscribe by e-mail or use a feed service? The reason I ask is that there was a WP tech post that there is an WP update for using mobile WP. The post mentions the version #. It may pertain just to creating posts, but if you didn’t see it, I’ll respond in another comment and send the link. I know not everyone uses Reader – Ally Bean for one uses Feedly in lieu of Reader.
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I looked at Feedly from Ally’s recommendation, but haven’t really seen how it might work for me. I just use the WP app on my phone (not to write, just read). I try to go to the actual site, in order to appreciate the formatting, but certain ones I look at in Reader (too many ads, hard-to-read format). I go to your site, but not to my web browser – still in WP.
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I know several people who go to the site to view posts as the photos look better that way. I thought the info on the new version might help with the display issues, though it did appear it was primarily for writing. I once followed a blogger who did all her posts from her phone and that surprised me. I know some people just use e-mail for receiving new posts, but Reader works better for me for now despite its quirks.
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I think the photo issue is a WP thing. I added a tiny thing to my web page today and even though it had nothing to do with the image on the page, now it is distorted. I’ll have to contact them about it.
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I hope they can resolve it for you Eilene. I have an issue where some of my older posts have photos that are grayed out. They didn’t know why. I forwarded a link to an old post to someone and she said half the pictures weren’t there. Good luck.
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I don’t know if this pertains to your problem with the photo distortion, but maybe this post might help as they mention a new version.
https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/25823/posts/4840582854
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That’s really about writing in Jetpack. It’s viewing that is the trouble. A very recent thing to crop up.
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So many nice finds, Linda! The Common Moorhen is one that I’ve never seen. What fun to sit and watch the deer for so long. Doesn’t she have pretty eyes?
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That was such a fun day Rebecca – every time I turned around there was something to see and photograph. I think you follow Andy Finnegan and I would not have recognized that Common Moorhen if not for his photos at Titchfield Haven – it has distinctive head features. I also found a coveted bird for my Birdie Bucket List which will be tomorrow’s post, so that was exciting as well. I agree – those big eyes looking at me made me melt. She was so calm in that little wooded area and I know I didn’t spook her as I kept whispering to her as she kept chewing. It might have been something on the ground as you can see how she took off, kicking up her heels!
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A wonderful assortment of photos Linda, I love the reflections of the egret in the water and so many deer photos. How cool to see all of this in your parks. 🙂
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Thank you Sandra – I had a wonderful time there that day, so much to see. I have been walking over to that marshy area to look for egrets ever since I saw all the egrets gathered there last Fall. A noise spooked them that day too and they flew to the trees. That happened on Saturday to one egret and I hope I got him taking off as I was fairly close to him – he flew up to a tree. I always find it odd to see a heron or egret perched in a tree, but they do nest up there in “rookeries” – lots of families together. The deer was the highlight of the day – except for the woman walker who came by early on, I guess we were together about 15 minutes in that wooded area before she bolted. She startled me when she bolted as I didn’t make any sudden moves and I was just kind of cooing and whispering to her while she munched away on leaves. Such a memorable experience. Some days I go and there’s not much to see. I will have a post next month about the Sandhill Cranes which I’ve seen the last three times I’ve been there (three times in about five weeks).
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What a fun post, Linda. I love all the reflection photos! And that deer wanted to be the star of the show, didn’t she?! You saw so many cool critters. Way to pay attention and be ready for capturing photos. This post will need to be one you come back to in the middle of the winter to remember how fun it is to go on walking adventures. 🥰🤗😁
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Thanks Shelley – I’m glad you liked it. It was such a fun day for finding and photographing critters. I’d rate it second only to the day the Mama deer left her fawn with me while she went swimming … I had fun “babysitting” that cutie pie and taking lots of pics. This deer was content to eat and let me take photos so I wonder what spooked her? It wasn’t me as I had been cooing at her and whispering and she was fine. Oh well – she took off flying down the road. You’re right – come Winter, I’ll be looking back at fun Summer stuff while the white stuff is all around. It’s raining right now, then we have rain again Thursday afternoon, Friday nite/Saturday rain/storms again, thankfully not severe.
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Deer get spooked quite easily. It’s nice she stuck around for so long. You’ve become quite the nature photographer while on your walking trails. Maybe you’ll have to get special boots and camera that works well in the winter to go out and capture photos of those places in the winter?! 🤔
You sure have been getting lots of rain. We had a very brief storm last night and we were happy to see the downpour. I hope there are breaks in the storms so you can get out and walk!!
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Yes, she was fine, then wasn’t. Weird. I do have lug-soled boots for Winter and they have good traction, so I’m okay in that department, but I don’t like driving in snow and ice. I’ll drive in Winter, but not if the roads are bad. I drove while in school, but then when I worked in Downtown Detroit all those years I got the bus at the end of the street and it dropped me off in the heart of the Downtown Business District – it was only a problem after Robb/I moved out on our own and I was a mile from Downtown and I really didn’t walk in those days. I drove sometimes in good weather and parked in the garage. I would like to visit some of these parks in the Winter. I generally avoid this park in November as it’s rutting season and I don’t want to be involved in a deer/vehicle accident. A deer ran into a friend’s SUV in November and totaled the car after it came through the front windshield with a huge pair of antlers.
It was a torrential rain in the 4:00 o’clock hour – no hail or high winds here but close by. Another storm tomorrow late afternoon, possible severe, but as of now, we’ll luck out as to severe weather. Saturday early a.m. may be rainy/stormy, but done by 9:00ish … so that day won’t be a washout. This Summer has not been the greatest walking-wise and I’m hoping for a nice Fall.
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Oh, yes, deer running in rut season is best to avoid! There must be a lot of deer in the park!
Your wise to stay safe when it comes to winter driving. You’ve paid your dues when it comes to yucky summer weather – let’s keep our fingers crossed that fall and winter are pleasant and you get to make up for lost walking time! Your summer has definitely been wet. Ugh. I hope you’re safe and the storms aren’t bad. 🙏🏻
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I don’t always see the deer up close which made this doe so special. Last Saturday I had just gotten into the car to drive home when a deer went loping across the grass maybe 20 feet from me and disappeared into the bushes. She must’ve waited ’til the coast was clear, but a bummer I missed her. The storm for tonight that was in Western Michigan is now all of Lower Michigan … we had one round of heavy rain come thru and now waiting for the main event, 60 mph wind, golf-ball sized – ugh.
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I never have my camera at the ready when we’ve seen the deer in our yard in close proximity. This morning on our walk we saw mamma and her two fawns crossing the road. We just shake our head – why do they need to cross the road when they have a whole forest to live in? Deer seem to be nonsensical at times.
Yikes…more storms! Craziness. I hope all is well and that you survived yet another one of them.
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I wonder the same thing about Mama duck when she decides to cross a busy street with 10-12 ducklings in tow. I was driving somewhere out in the sticks and I could see a Mama Duck and ducklings crossing the road … she was lucky it was just me on that rural road … the traffic reporter on my radio station was watching a situation this Spring where a family of Canada Geese went up a ramp to the expressway and were trying to cross. The state police were trying to shoo them across and she got to the other side and wanted to return where she came from.
The storms were pretty bad, but luckily I was unscathed, but I still stayed up til 1:00 a.m. Saturday as I was watching where the storm was all evening. There had been a tornado that touched down in Perry, near Lansing, Michigan, which is not near me but it went thru the town and knocked down a lot of power lines including the one for the town’s emergency siren. The tornado was EF-1 and going 95 mph. Tomorrow we have torrential rains and flood warnings are up.
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The animals and birds think they own the places they visit I guess. It’s nice to see kind people help them get where they’re going so they’re unharmed.
Yikes…the storms in Michigan are relentless this year. I’m glad you were unscathed again. We have heavy rain this morning, much needed. Then we’re heading into a 10 day streak of heat and no rain. Wish we could share our weather and even it out to nice rains at night and sunshine during the day. Too much to ask for? 😉🤔
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We have lots of turtles crossing the road – we get instructions how to help them across on the various park sites I follow. A turtle yes, a snake no! Our deluge is supposed to start soon and storms all night, thankfully not severe, but 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches of rain in the next 18 hours. It will be nice Wednesday and Friday through Sunday for us … so we will catch a bit of a break, but thanks anyway. 🙂
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Yes, for turtles, NO for snakes is a great motto!
Wow – I wonder if the weather is trying to replenish the lakes in MI? I hope you do catch a break soon!
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Snakes are sneaky – turtles are timid … another new motto! Well, I think the deluge of rain was not as bad as predicted … for our area anyway. That’s fine too, but we are having rain and storms, potentially severe Thursday afternoon. This makes up for no “bad stuff” yesterday. No words Mother Nature. I know there were lots of accidents from hydroplaning and semis mixing it up in the early morning in the northern ‘burbs – ours must have happened overnight. And tomorrow morning is foggy.
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That’s a great new motto!
What a weather rollercoaster summer. Glad to hear it wasn’t as bad as predicted. We had a nice day of rain and the next morning was foggy. But cold 46 degrees! It was kind of a shocking glimpse at instant Fall. I hope you get some NICE days before we head into Fall!!
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I actually put on a cardigan as it was 60 when I heard the early news – I shed it about 10 minutes after I got there as the humidity was so high. Unfortunately this Thursday storm now has legs … it now is a two-part storm over eight hours, 60 mph winds, one-inch hail, low chance for tornado. A climatologist was on the news this morning and said every Summer going forward will have these heat spikes with frequent volatile weather and warmer Falls. The weekend now looks nice, but wildfire smoke, then a hot spell (near 90) starting Sunday. I just want to get past this next round of severe weather.
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It seems odd to have to do layers already! But, I’m right there with you. I put on light coat, head band, gloves to walk yesterday.
We had a crazy storm roll through last night. I thought of you hoping your storm wasn’t too bad and that you’re safe and well!
The weekend is supposed to be HOT here too. Yikes, I’m not excited to hear this will be the trend for summers going forward. 🤔🙄😣
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Layers in August seems odd – you had more layers than me but I think you said you had 46 degrees – that is cold, not just cool! It was nice walking this morning but it was 20 mph winds and I just got there and the lawn cutters (two or three big big mowers) arrived … so much for a peaceful walk and the squirrels stay up in their trees as they are afraid of the noise. I’ll be your storm is our today storm – we had one at 4:00-ish with torrential rain and thunder and it is raining now as I write this – we have a second storm arriving shortly – at least the tornado threat has diminished – whew. The 90-degree days are not fun for walking or working outside either. I don’t like thinking this is the new normal for Summer … not only less enjoyable, but all the volatile weather is worrisome too.
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Yes, odd, indeed. There’s a gal that walks every morning that we see. We always wave and say “Hi!” She’s been faithfully wearing shorts and a tank top regardless of the weather. I wonder if she thinks I’m wacko wearing a headband, coat, gloves, and long pants. 🤣😂
Yeah, I bet you got our storm. I’m with you on hoping this isn’t the new norm for summer weather! Especially the volatile weather 🤗
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She hates to give up the summer clothing … we had a walker at the Park and he never wore long pants until it snowed. He claimed he was too hot. We actually have no rain or storms for a few days (they say, but I think that heat spike starting Sunday will morph into something ugly – it usually does when it is near/at 90 degrees). It will be cloudy from wildfire smoke. It was beautiful this morning and I kept the sweater on and some people at the Park were in sweatsuits or light jackets. It was 60 when I left – refreshing! We have that tomorrow too … so many places to go, but there is either construction (bigtime) or festivals/events going on. Construction is in one area where I go to several parks and Saturday it’s not good … Sunday they are not working, but I suspect they’ll work Sundays soon to finish by September 15th as we’ve had so many afternoons with torrential rain that they would have had to stop for the day.
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Yes, she must!
We’ve had cool mornings until yesterday and today, probably for a week or so.
I bet all the construction workers are feeling the panic of the summer flying by and the fall soon to do so too.
Way to keep on walking despite the weather – we have to take the decent weather while we have it!!
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The cooler weather was short-lived unfortunately – today was stinkin’ hot! It is 88 (real feel of 95) as I write this comment at 6:20 p.m. I am sure construction workers are panicking because there is nowhere in my area that is without construction right now. They just started this big project that goes thru October 2024 and it’s down to one lane at a busy intersection. Crazy!
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Same here with the weather! And the construction workers. Construction season is a challenge for workers and travelers – my brother is a semi-driver, I don’t know how he drives in it, I’d be so stressed! Stay clear from it if you can.
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I hate construction – it wigs me out as I don’t really drive that much. I took the bus for many years and caught it close to my house so I didn’t have to drive to get to the bus stop, just walked. Now we’re having two bouts of severe weather this week due to the heat … at least it will end this heat and humidity that we’re getting Thursday (95 degrees … hottest day of the Summer – ugh).
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Me too! I remember you telling me about how you were able to use the bus to get places. Perks of living in town.
Yikes…we’re heading into the extreme heat too. No storm until Friday though. It does look like it might be summer’s last hurrah for heat for us too. Here’s to hoping the fall is spectacular for weather and stunning leaves to admire!!
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I loved taking the bus as it was my “me time” for reading. I would hate it when people spoke to me on the bus and wanted to chitchat, so I would avoid it by sitting down and pulling my book out of my bag in one swift motion. It’s like at the Park where I’d rather walk alone – sometimes “me time” must be preserved!
You’re lucky – hopefully Friday is not too bad storm-wise. We now have a Wednesday a.m. and p.m. storm, both maybe severe; a possibly severe storm Thursday due to getting to 95 and now another storm Friday night. Summer has been a downer … we waited so long for it. Fall will be better!
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I love that you took out a book instead of a phone like happens way too much now! What was your favorite type of book to read? Me time is so important, I’m glad you treat yourself to it as often as possible.
We’re in the HEAT wave right now. I can’t believe there won’t be storms out of this, but nothing big is predicted. You and I know how accuracy seems to be an issue, so we’ll keep our eyes out for storm clouds.
Let’s keep our hopes up for a wonderful Fall!
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Actually back when I was taking the bus, smartphones were not a thing, so I was all about my book and reading. I had the smallest cellphone, which I really only kept for emergencies. I had to upgrade from 2G to 3G a few years ago and had to get rid of it. I used to read a variety of books, some my mom and I bought in paperback at Waldenbooks and we had a lot of magazines which I used to give to a girl from work as she had a book club membership, read the same type of books we liked and would pre-order for delivery the day they published. She was an extremely fast reader and would finish those best sellers the next day and bring them in for my mom and me to read. We also pre-ordered books from the library when we saw a book we liked. For a long time we had a subscription to “People” magazine and they had great book reviews so we ordered based on the reviews. It is starting to rumble a little out there now … we had a storm earlier, but about 9 hours later than forecast. We still have this 95-degree day tomorrow and a storm tonight overnight, tomorrow afternoon and Friday afternoon. I cannot wait for Summer to be over.
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Your reading material brings back lots of memories. I was in a book club when I was young and I made sure our daughters were too. I love books – and have a growing pile of ones to be read. 🤔😉
Oh, dear, the storms you’ve had and keep getting in MI are relentless. We were saying last night, “I don’t know why we’re not getting storms out of this heatwave!” Nothing in the forecast until Monday. 🙄🤔
I hope the storm wasn’t too bad. I also hope Fall blesses you and you get to enjoy it to the fullest.
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My parents were avid readers for years and they always bought bought books for me to read, from “Golden Books” as a toddler to lots of animal stories as I got older (“Rascal” or “The Red Pony” or “Old Yeller” for example) and then we’d see the movie (usually a Disney movie). I have been buying books and reading some of them and others I have not gotten to yet, although I have a lot of books that my mom and I bought together that we both liked – she read already, but I did not. I won’t run out of books for a while, believe me. I set a Goodreads goal of 25 books in 2023, but modified it to 15 books, which I think I will make that goal. As to the weather …
As I write this comment, we are expecting another bad storm, worse than last night. It is a level 3 out of 5 storm, 70 mph winds, big hail and now two tornadoes – one was bad enough. The storm watch/warning is until 1:00 a.m. Last night was horrid and I got maybe three hours’ sleep … we had four rounds of storms and high winds and hail – each time the weather alarm went off and then it went off twice for flooding – there was a lot of flooding – some people got 6-7 inches of rain – freeways were flooded. I got two inches. But I kept getting up every storm due to that tree and the high winds. Then we have another bad storm Friday afternoon/early evening.
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Spectacular shots, Linda! 😊 Be careful when out on your outdoor excursions.
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Thanks Tom – this was a morning I really savored walking around this huge park. Every time I turned around, there was something else to see and photograph. Thanks again – I do worry sometimes, but worry more about getting to and from there to be honest.
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What a fun post Linda! You will never forget that experience with the deer. I love that name “Swamp Chicken.” What a beautiful pictures of the Osprey Linda. Woman you need to print off pictures and enter them into shows!!!
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Diane – thank you! You will make my head swell! I have to tell you that I often don’t look at my photos for awhile as I have others sorted out and ready to use for blog posts, but, because I had such a great day with all my “finds” I looked at the photos as soon as I could!
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Wow, a lot of great shots! I can’t decide if the deer or the osprey is the star!
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Thank you JP! I had a great day – every time I turned around there was something new to see and photograph. I think the deer was the star as I saw her so close when she was mellow. But the Osprey sitting atop that skinny pole was quite a feat with the feet too. 🙂
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Some of your best photos ever, Linda – a spectacular summer day! Hard to believe the vivid colors considering the weather conditions you described from the day before.
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Thank you Dave! That was such a great walk – every time I turned around there was something else to see. The doe had my heart though. I was there this past Sunday and the Osprey chicks are about to fledge (55 days after hatching). I’ve not looked at my photos yet, but the two Osprey offspring were standing on top of the nest on the one siren, an adult was sitting on the white siren next to them and another Osprey (likely the female as they are usually larger than the males) came cruising by for a visit. Lots of excitement then too. Our wildfire smoke conditions vary day to day. We have not had issues in several weeks and now they are predicting Friday and Saturday as rain-free days but we’ll have the wildfire smoke return. We have had several tornadoes in Michigan this Summer, one just last Friday and we have severe weather again tomorrow … two rounds of it in fact.
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Wonderful pictures (especially the close up ones of the deer).
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Thank you Clare – that sure was a lucky day for me!
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