Whew, we’re finally in February and mercifully The Groundhog* did not see its shadow meaning Spring is just around the corner, or so we hope. I wrote 99.9% of this post last Friday, while the rain was pouring down and now it is snowing, but I knew I’d be returning to update my tale after the Furred One’s weather prognostication.
You probably think I’m referring to Punxsutawney Phil, but I’m not, because here in SE Michigan we hang on to every action of Woody the Woodchuck, the female weather prognosticator that lives at the Howell Nature Center. * Girls rule in this department because Woody has a more accurate record than her Gobbler’s Knob counterpart who is only correct 39% of the time. Woody foresees the future weather by staying outside her little house and/or scurrying right back in – today is a gray and gloomy day with zero sun to speak of. Very scientific stuff here!
Groundhog Day is one of those fun holidays guaranteed to break up the monotony of the doom and gloom of Winter, kind of like Paczki Day where you stuff yourself with fat-laden, jelly-filled donuts just before the beginning of Lent.
But whoops, I strayed off topic a wee bit. I wanted to say that Mother Nature’s pixelations with her weather rollercoaster are not unlike my recent blog posts as I’ve taken you from Summer to Winter, then today, we’re back to Summer again.
Summer … ahhh. You know, a-seagulls-at-the-shore-kinda-day …
Clearly Mother Nature is “wingin’ it” with the weather these days.
The only wingin’ it I’ll be doing is “show-n-tell” from a walk taken on July 19, 2024.
Lake Erie Metropark has become my go-to venue for birding.
Last week I focused on the local songbirds in the snow at Council Point Park; today it is marsh birds.
This was a fun walk wherein I saw a nice collection of marsh inhabitants like the Muskrat munching on Lotus leaves.
On this walk, I added an American Bittern to my “Birding Life List”.
I mentioned a few weeks ago that I hoped to see the offspring of the resident Sandhill Cranes I see nearly every trip to this venue. I always drive to the Shore Fishing Bridge, which is where they hang out, grazing while walking about on those stilt-like legs.
I saw them, so I parked the car, knowing I could just walk to any of my favorite trails from there.
On this day they were front and center and easily accessible.
They were fighting off the Red-winged Blackbirds once again, so getting poses was non-negotiable as they were a bit frenzied. I next walked along the Cove Point shoreline, but there were no waterfowl photo ops to be found, so I returned to the car, opting to drive across the Park, rather than cross that large expanse diagonally on foot, as it was already getting warmish.
Seeking a little shade, I hopped onto the Cherry Island Trail, which is partially in wooded areas, where I was out of the direct sun, as I searched for critters to fill my camera card with.
The lovely American Lotuses were just starting to pop in some places, their white blooms filling the marsh with their beauty.
A Swamp Rose Mallow (Wild Hibiscus) gave a hint of color at the marsh …
… as did the invasive, but pretty Purple Loosestrife.
Along the shoreline while stepping closer to get some shots of the aforementioned Muskrat, I saw this peaceful scene of turtles and a duck sunbathing together.
A passel of Mallard ducklings watched me taking pictures of their pals on the log and I wished they would queue up in a less-wobbly fashion so I could say “I had my ducks in a row” but that was not the case. Their reflections make it difficult to count how many ducks were there there – I count nine noggins – how about you?
I waited to see if they would congregate in an area with more light, but they stubbornly remained in place, some gazing at me.
I peered into the marsh area as I crossed the overlook, hoping to see a few Egrets or Herons fishing for their brunch, but no such luck.
On the last leg of the Cherry Island Trail, I finally had cause to pause and get these photos of my first encounter with an American Bittern, a wading bird in the Heron family. I stood as far back from it as possible, but the walking path is narrow there and one more step backward would land me in the marsh on the opposite side.
So, here is your Bittern, albeit a bit blurry.
I swiveled my head back to the other side of the path, just as a male Moorhen, a/k/a a “Marsh Hen” glided by.
Squinting due to the sun, I could see a group of Pied-billed Grebes paddling around. It looked like a family. You saw them in the featured image and here are a few more family pics from that day …
… this is when I saw one of the youngsters park itself under a Lotus leaf as if it were a parasol, an image I shared with you last year.
Luck was already with me on this trek, so I stopped at my usual spot to look for the Mallard pair that I often feature in my Wordless Wednesday posts. They are always in a cove-like area and usually I find them companiably sitting side by side on a log. Well the drake was missing that day and it was only the hen (and a stick in my way – sigh).
At the tail end of the Cherry Island trail I was treated to a splash of yellow, a large area of wild Black-eyed Susans.
Soon I was back at the Marshland Museum where I had parked. No trip is complete without saying “hi” to Luc, the rehabbed eagle who refused to acknowledge me with a cheerful chirp, so I guess he was having an off day.
I never take my binoculars on my walks. Most of my birdwatching is through the camera lens; admittedly it is difficult to see everything and I miss things, especially small birds. Soon after taking the shots of the American Bittern, Moorhen and Pied-billed Grebe family, a woman passed me further along the Cherry Island Trail …
… she said “I hope you got some photos of that eagle that flew overhead.” I said “no, I didn’t see it even though I’m constantly searching the skies for Bald Eagles – grrr!” I guess I miss the big birds sometimes too. 🙂
Terri has been winging her way home from her sun-filled vacation and does not have a post this week. However, I am joining week two of Terri’s Two-week Challenge: Feeding and Watching the Birds.
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
The beautiful lotuses! I hope your groundhog is right. Ours said 6 more weeks of winter although it’s dark and gloomy here. There is no way he saw his shadow. If we get 6 more weeks of winter, he’s going to be a pot roast!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ha ha – I agree with you on that Kate! I heard your groundhog’s prediction on the 8:00 a.m. news and I don’t think the sun was up yet, let alone seeing his shadow! Our groundhog has a good accuracy rate … we need a break, even though Winter got a late start!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Amen!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So many great photos Linda. Glad you have the Bittern and I love the turtles? on the log
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Brian! I wish my Bittern would have stepped back a bit, since I couldn’t, but it was fun to have another new bird encounter. The turtles on the log are often sunbathing there and this time they shared the space with a snoozing duck. I was under a tree to take that “harmony” shot and also the flotilla of ducks, so both those pictures were darkish … this is where photo editing skills would come in handy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are lucky to have such a variety of birds. Fingers crossed that Woody is correct in her prediction.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, you are so right Janis. This Metropark is ideally located for seeing a variety of shorebirds, songbirds and raptors so I have many more to seek out and find. I follow a site where the 13 Metropark amateur photographers post their bird photos and it seems I have barely scratched the surface for these birds.
LikeLike
Woody is cute and I hope she’s right! It’s been a miserable winter, so far. We had a few mild ones in a row, so now we’re spoiled. I’m so impressed with your knowledge of all the types of birds! I learn something new with every post. And your photos are always wonderful to see. You really capture the personalities!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think Woody is cute too Debbie – she is the star of the show today and it is almost a party atmosphere as people gather around “Woody’s House” for this event every year. They usually mention Woody on the local news and didn’t, so I had to go look at the Howell Nature Center FB site to see what she “said”. I agree with you about Winter – we got used to those mild Winters and I thought we’d have another one since we had that fabulous Fall, but now we are being penalized it seems. Thank you – I am learning a lot about our local birds from Jocelyn Anderson on FB. I have been following her for years on social media and she takes excellent still shots and gives the name for each bird, but she also goes to Kensington Metropark to feed the birds from her palm and takes videos of them. The videos and her commentary for the videos and still shots is funny as well as informative.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Here is Jocelyn’s site. I followed her on Twitter for a long time, but I got every birder’s pics in my Twitter feed, so I switched to following her on FB:
https://www.facebook.com/jocelynandersonphotography/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! I followed her page. I hope we get some decent weather soon!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ll like her pictures. And she always explains things about them which I like. Her videos are fun to watch. She has something new with a trail camera in her backyard and it’s a rural area so she sometimes posts the night-time pics of the critters in her backyard.
LikeLike
I’m routing for Woody’s prediction! I would not survive the winter’s where you live. Woody is one good looking girlfriend with those extra large feet and hands. And check out her teeth! She’s gotta be right!! We are having a spring day here, yet I’m wrestling depression and body pain. Your post brightened my day!
The photo of the American Bittern is great! I do see the heron genes. I love its big beady yellow eye rings and the variegated feather colorings.
This venue is wonderful for you. There was so much activity on that summer day. Lovely.☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi TD, I am glad this post about sunnier days and the promise of days like this to come made your day. Woody has quite a following – every year on Groundhog Day, people go to watch this girl’s prediction and they gather around her and her abode called “Woody’s House”. This picture of her munching a corn cob is sweet.
My first American Bittern – I was happy to find it and wished it would have backed up so I could get all of it in the shots. One more step back on my side and I’d be in the marsh. The trail is very narrow at that point.
I am lucky to live fairly close to this venue – it is my favorite of the four Metroparks that are in close proximity to me. I hope visiting these places on warm, sunny days is not months away.
LikeLiked by 1 person
TD, I follow this WP site which is filled with photos of Michigan, but not by just the site’s owner, as he includes other photographer’s photos of this state as well. Andrew posted about Woody the Woodchuck today as well. This nature sanctuary takes in critters to be rehabbed; some, like Woody have a permanent home here.
https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/61551/posts/5548744101
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always good to see Luc!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, not a great shot of Luc, but I put him in here for you. I have a better shot from another trip to this venue where he was chirping away to me. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks Linda. I feel like I know Luc through you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I always tell him you ask for him when I visit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
thank you Linda!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just left a long comment and it failed to post…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hate when that happens Terri. I have been having issues with Reader when I back arrow to go to the next post to read, it closes out and I have to start over. Grrr.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I left a comment on my phone to another blogger and it happened again! So now I am sitting at my desktop so I can type.
I loved your images–the sandhill cranes are amazing, but seeing Miss Woody Woodchuck predicting the weather is CUTE! Today, as I was outside talking to my neighbor, a bald eagle slowly circled over our heads. Cool to see, no lens…but this explains why we haven’t seen any birds in our backyard! 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have to reply here or else I reply to myself (I did that earlier as I’m using the Reader to reply so I can “like”.) The glitches here are annoying sometimes.
Our Woody the Woodchuck has a fan base that goes to the Howell Nature Center every year to watch her predictions … they make a fun, party-like atmosphere out of it. They usually post a photo of her living quarters which has a sign “Woody’s House” and her outside of it.
I got to see the Sandhill Cranes a lot last year and will have more pics of them. I used a few pics from that particular day where the Red-winged Blackbirds were attacking them for a Wordless Wednesday.
We have a Cooper’s Hawk in the neighborhood. Earlier in the Winter I had about 40-50 Sparrows sheltering in a big Golden Vicary in the backyard, then they moved to my Japanese Maple out front. One day last week I saw a huge Cooper’s Hawk fly from the side of my house – now the Sparrows have all disappeared.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Woody the Woodchuck, the female weather prognosticator that lives at the How Nature Center. Woody is one good looking girlfriend with those extra large feet and hands. Wonderful ground hog ,Birds , Flowers & nature .
LikeLiked by 1 person
Do you have the fun holiday of Groundhog Day in your country Raj? Every February 2nd, the groundhog climbs out of its burrow where it sleeps all Winter and if sees its shadow, we have six more weeks of Winter. This Woodchuck did not see her shadow so Spring is near. It’s not likely Spring is here, but it gives us something to smile about to get through the Winter months.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don’t have fun holiday of groundhog dsy in my country. ,Linda! Good they sleep all winter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have a lot of goofy holidays over here Raj. Yes, good, they stay out of trouble in their burrows all Winter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good,Linda! You are so lucky you have a lot of goofy holiday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, we have a calendar of them, that lists all the days of the year with all the special holidays. I used to follow him here on WordPress, but he stopped posting, so now I follow him on Facebook (or you can follow by e-mail).
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t use facebook media. I follow you on WordPress,Linda
LikeLiked by 1 person
You can follow the Calendar site by e-mail if you’d like.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Calendar site by e-mail if you’d like. I can’t understand what you tell me about!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Raj – I just sent you the link to subscribe by e-mail in a separate comment in case the link causes the comment to go to your SPAM folder.
LikeLike
you send me on my email address 🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Here you are Raj – scroll down to the end of this website and you can subscribe by e-mail there:
https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/
LikeLike
I never tire looking at your pictures Linda. Did you take a photography class or learn on your own? You are either really patient or extremely lucky to capture all you do. Maybe the words out that you are the human that feeds them. 🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for saying that Diane! I did take a photography class back in 1981 when I got my 35mm camera. And I got some books at the same time, but I’ve always taken my photos using the automatic setting, so that is partly why I said I am lucky photographer. I’m reluctant to try shooting manually – I did it once and came home with underexposed and overexposed shots … all of them. Unfortunately, I can’t even toss a peanut to a squirrel here as it is not allowed. (Although I have seen piles of corn around but the park rangers must not have known about it.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
That surprises me that you can’t feed them, however, my favorite Metropark trail here asks not to feed them too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They cite that if you do that they will get mad if you or others show up empty-handed and will attack you. I personally didn’t see an issue with tossing a peanut, but the squirrels at that park don’t beg … they follow the rules. The squirrels don’t even look at the people like in other parks.
LikeLike
You have photos of birds I will probably never see. They are wonderful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Anne! I have to admit they are not your everyday birds are they? They all have a uniqueness about them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Grand set of sightings and action, Linda! I’ve seen bitterns, but never have I got a shot, lucky you! I am jealous hehehe!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Donna! It was a good birding day for me. The Bittern and I had a bit of a staredown – I wished it would back up as I couldn’t and was too close to it. For once I had a bird you haven’t seen! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The wild hibiscus looks very pretty indeed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think so too Anne. Wouldn’t it be lovely to grow a garden filled with these delicate flowers? They all grow in the wild with no TLC at all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s good to know that there is more than one famous groundhog!
And the picture of all the ducks should be profitable – not everyone can collect 9 bills for a photo. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, our groundhog beats out ol’ Phil every time. Of course, if we have lousy Spring weather, please do not blame THIS messenger for touting her abilities – she might have had an off day. Now you make me feel special JP for having collected 9 bills without resorting to peanuts or seeds, just my charming personality and camera. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations on spotting an American Bittern for your Life List! What a handsome waterbird! I’ve never seen a moorhen before.
That muskrat almost looks cuddly, except for those sharp looking teeth. swamp rose mallow and purple loosestrife look so pretty, shades of pink to remember and to look forward to again after this gray winter passes. Nice to see turtles and a duck sharing a log so amiably. 🙂 Those nine ducklings look like they’re waiting patiently for YOU to make a move, while you’re waiting for THEM to make a move. I thoroughly enjoyed all your lovely waterbird captures, Linda! Thanks so much for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Barbara – I’m glad you liked this post. It was a good birding day for me! The neck on the American Bittern, just like a regular heron, was outstretched to the max, so I guess I saw it at its best, otherwise it would have just blended into the rest of the march. I thought I’d give you a swamp rose mallow to remember yours you saw while in Connecticut. They look so delicate, but imagine, when we have hibiscus and have to coddle it, fertilizers and the like to keep it blooming and these just grow big and beautiful on their own. I think the purple loosestrife is beautiful, even if it invasive. Those ducklings were so cute and I wish they’d have moved away from that area as it was so dark, but nope, they stuck together like glue – each of us trained on the other. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Weather whiplash is soooo right. I’m reeling, too. I especially like your photo of the A Swamp Rose Mallow. It seems so light and cheerful, considering the warm but gray world outside my window. Also, what’s up with that unfriendly eagle? Shaking my head 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ally, I guess we were spoiled by the last few mild Winters. With two bouts of freezing rain in this week’s forecast, that is more like March weather than February weather. At least two earthquakes were not on the Mitten State’s Bingo card today. Amazingly, those Swamp Rose Mallows grow without any TLC, out in the middle of the marsh. The eagle was all puffed up with importance I guess, or saw all those dogs and got away in a hurry. I know they are out there, but few and far between for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations on your funny-looking bittern! All wading birds are a little funny looking, aren’t they? Those long, long legs….. Summer is so lovely this time of year. I loved all the critters and flowers, as usual. Thank you for the warmth!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Zazzy – another first and sometime I’ll have a Black-crowned Night Heron for a post from the same venue, but from another walk. All those wading birds look like you could knock them over with a feather and they’re all neck and legs. it had a goofy look with those intense yellow eyes. It’s time to count the days until Spring. We have two more bouts of freezing rain this week … this is more like the Winters we used to have.
LikeLike
You sure know your birds and flowers, Linda. I was about to say I didn’t realize the lotus bloomed such a beautiful flower, but then I remembered “lotus flower” from something or somewhere. And I’m glad to read about Woody because we don’t think Phil is on the right track this year either. Forecasters call for early spring in the South and were already getting a week of it starting today. 70s!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dave, I follow some Michigan nature sites and a photographer who posts still shots and videos of all the birds she photographs and she always IDs them, so that’s a good learning tool for me. I think Phil is way off base too. I heard his prediction Sunday morning on the 8:00 a.m. news … the sun wasn’t even up yet, let along casting a shadow. They jumped the gun a bit. Woody is much more accurate. I heard about that warm spell from a fellow blogger who enjoys walking in the woods with her husband. Perfect weather! Your Spring wildflowers will be out while we await two more bouts of freezing rain this week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Winter rarely if ever lets go by mid-March, so I don’t pay much attention to Phil. Perhaps it depends on your definition of winter and spring. That might make an interesting poll–what temperature range do you consider spring?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, for us it’s unpredictable isn’t it Nancy? In fact, two bloggers in the Carolinas have told me they will be enjoying a week in the 70s. I would say a day in the 70s would feel like Spring to me – same for you? We are having two bouts of freezing rain this week, one in the early hours of Thursday and one on Saturday. That used to be March weather with its ice storms and freezing rain. So not very Spring-y at all.
LikeLike
It already looks, feels and smells like spring here! Except I’d swear I saw a dead marmot on the highway yesterday—must have given someone a bad weather forecast!
Nine noggins, but ten butts.😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
I have been hearing about everyone’s early Spring heat wave – North and South Carolina are enjoying the 70s already … not us unfortunately as we have two bouts of freezing rain this week. Yes, a bad weather forecast for a marmot or groundhog or woodchuck (take your pick as they all look similar) is the equivalent of “off with your head!” Hmm, I must need stronger glasses Eilene because yes, I now am able to see the top of the head and a butt that I missed. 🙂 Thank you for clarifying and answering my question!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I believe that you are correct Eilene! I confirm that I count Ten ducks, too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I may need stronger glasses TD as I totally missed that 10th duck, a little bit of its head peeking out above the other one. They were cute – too bad they were near a tree and in the shade but who sees all these ducklings at one time? Poor Mama was worn out and probably she was the one sleeping on the log. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our weather- predicting groundhog is General Beauregard Lee. General Lee predicted 6 more weeks of winter. I think he needs to go back to meteorology school since the temps for the next few days are going to be in the upper 70s.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is a fun name for your groundhog … same prediction as Phil. Our Woody the Woodchuck has been spot on many times in her 27 years of predictions. I hope you enjoy your spurt of Springtime – your lovely trees will soon be in bloom at this rate!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Woody is adorable! So nice to see those lovely flowers at this “blah” time of year. You may not have seen the eagle, but you sure saw a very nice variety of other birds. I’m not sure that I’ve ever seen a Marsh Hen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree with you Rebecca – the Howell Nature Center usually shows a photo of Woody coming out of her house (that has a sign that says “Woody’s House on the front of it), but they used this cute picture of her chomping on a corn cob instead. I have a lot of pictures taken on my Summer walks to get us through the gray and gloomy days of Winter, but you may be having a spurt of warm weather where you live too? It was a good birding day for me and I’m more inclined to see the Ospreys there (which are always fun to see and a big deal for me) than the Eagles people say pass through there. I had seen a Marsh Hen before but it was more brown color so either it was molting or a juvenile … they are unusual looking aren’t they?
LikeLike
I think groundhogs are so cute, we have a lot along the highways here. I HOPE spring is on the way, I hate winter lol. It’s very sunny here today but we are supposed to get maybe another 8-10 cm of snow starting tonight and into tomorrow. I need it to stop haha
LikeLiked by 1 person
Woody looks extra cute munching on that corn cob. 🙂 I wish Spring was on the day too but we have two freezing rain events, one tonight, one Saturday and a few inches of snow Saturday. I have had enough of Winter too – we have zapped the ticks and mosquitoes – time to move on Mother Nature!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your weather and ours are quite similiar. We had snow and freezing rain today and yes Saturday more snow! Spring please come………lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think our Woody the Woodchuck messed up. It was treacherous outside my house and it didn’t warm up enough to melt, so it will be just as bad tomorrow. Some people here are clamoring for snow … great, we’ll get some Saturday, then it can go away ’til next Winter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are supposed to get more snow tomorrow and keep going all night into Sunday. I have had enough ! lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
They’ve backed off on “big snowfall” … now just half of it, but still getting freezing rain. It’s still a sheet of ice out there – ugh!
LikeLike
Are we not tired of winter? When is it gonna end lol. We are to get another 10-15 cm over the next 16 hours. But right now it’s bitterly cold and icy just like where you are. You know you’re getting old when every time you step out of your house, you’re scared you are going to fall ! That’s me by the way lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am definitely old then, because the last three mornings I shuffled from the door to the garage to run the car … I have a little path from the ice melt product and I daren’t stray from it! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lots of great photos, Linda. My favorite of course is the turtles with the duck. I sure hope Woody is right. This winter has been too long already. Thanks for the summer photos. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m happy to put you in a Summer-y mindset Ruth. I always like seeing the turtles sunning on the log and the duck alongside made it look harmonious. I hope Woody is right too Ruth – our upcoming weather tonight and Saturday has zero appeal for me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! Top-notch nature pics, Linda! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Tom – it was a wonderful walk that day!
LikeLike