March 13, 2008 by OrientSee.

Today was great. Two Killdeer were at Rosie’s Pond. I watched four crows mob the local Redtail Hawk. Best of all, I got to see and photograph this Long Eared Owl. I was walking out through the thicket and something flew out of a bush very low to the ground. I thought that it might be an owl but I didn’t get much of a look. I walked around the corner along a wet icy stretch and then in the sumac thicket, I found this owl and it stayed long enough to get this picture. It was a terrific sight.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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March 11, 2008 by OrientSee.

This is the other winter resident hawk. The RedTail sits up on his perch keeping an eye on things. This is as close as he will allow me to come. The comparison with the Cooper’s Hawk is amazing. I assume that the redtail hunts over wide open spaces but the Cooper’s hunts through trees and thickets. One is threatened by anything in view but the other is comfortable with closed in spaces and humans. The day was very bright and clear but was mostly very quiet. Only a few blackbirds were making a squawk. It was warmer but there is still plenty of ice about. It was pleasant just to be out and have the sun on my face.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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March 10, 2008 by OrientSee.

A very bright and shiny day but cold. There was ice everywhere and the wind was cutting. I had barely begun my walk this morning when this winter long resident of the marsh moved to another branch and drew my attention. This Cooper’s Hawk is not very shy but this is the closest that he has ever allowed me to get. The wind was puffing up his breast feathers and he is surely one good looking dude. Not only did he tolerate me but I finally got bored of him and moved on. The redwings were back again. I must have been visiting during siesta when last I walked through and didn’t hear or see a single blackbird. The flocks of geese and gulls were out in the marsh flats. I keep expecting to see a heron or killdeer anytime soon. No joy yet.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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March 7, 2008 by OrientSee.

It was a perplexing day. The redwing blackbirds disappeared. Yesterday they were back in full force. Today, not a one in sight or to be heard. Perhaps it was just a flock migrating through and not the crowd that will settle in here. There were plenty of ducks and gulls although there were not many geese around. Transition is the word to keep in mind right now. Now if you want to hide in the grass and have a good snooze. The way to do it is to keep your prominent yellow bill down under the grass tops. If I can spot your bill horizontal above the grass, then you’re not hiding very well. This male mallard and his mate were not happy with me around but I would never have seen them if they had only kept their heads down.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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March 6, 2008 by OrientSee.

Without a doubt the redwing blackbirds are back. They were everywhere in the marsh and everywhere loud. There were large flocks of geese and ducks. A small tribal gathering of crows wheeled overhead and the mourning doves were very active. The pheasant was lurking in the high weeds and a pair of Redtails were watching everything else. Life in the marsh was about its business in overdrive. What catches my eye? A dead bush lying on its side. The color was vivid and the maze of branches and leaves was fascinating. Winter is leaving and the signs of its passage are disappearing. Spring means many things but it also means the end of something. Winter is part of our lives and without it spring wouldn’t mean too much. There’s balance here and all that cold can often be surprising to watch and enjoy.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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March 4, 2008 by OrientSee.

The surest sign of spring at Belle Isle Marsh. Today there were at least a dozen Redwing Blackbirds flying around calling out their discordant challenges to one and all. In a few weeks the sound will be irritating but right now it was music to my winter frozen ears. A few grackles were about as well. The excitement is starting. Every day from here on out, there will be more migrants from the small warblers to the large egrets. Oh it will be cold and nasty for days to come but spring is here at last. I won’t be dragging myself out on a walk. I will be eager to see what new bird or flower or plant I’ll see. Spring is so great.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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March 3, 2008 by OrientSee.

It was warmer today. The migrants are starting to drift through. Earlier out with the dog, there were robins everywhere. They were making a lot of noise and then they just moved on. Out in the park later, I saw eighteen Cedar Waxwings all in one tree and got this picture. That’s more in one place than I have ever seen before. They’ll be gone tomorrow as they keep moving north. That means that there’ll be more and more interesting birds to see each day. Although I did see two Redwing Blackbirds two weeks ago, they have not really arrived in the marsh yet. It’s an exciting time of year as more life flows north and the cold quiet of winter recedes. The marsh grass is still asleep and when the plants start growing again, there will be an explosion of life at Belle Isle again.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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March 2, 2008 by OrientSee.

Ice is becoming a new interest of mine. Clouds have always fascinated people. Lying in a hammock watching clouds is the best destressing activity that I can think of. Letting go of all that mental chaos is a relief. I’ve found that ice can also assume many shapes and textures. It’s very enjoyable to stop thinking and just let images pour into your brain. No words just watching. This kind of ice meditation is profoundly relaxing. Today I found more ice circles to marvel at. Even though it was bitterly cold because of the wind, I had a chance to just watch something without thinking.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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March 1, 2008 by OrientSee.

Strangeness. On a drear overcast day, except for a troop of robins foraging on the floor of the thicket, there was little to see. Then I happened upon this dead branch covered with psychedelic fungus. The color was so vivid that I almost turned around expecting to see the undead tottering around. Whatever this stuff is, it surely gets your attention. Then I ended up being pelted by snow pellets and that ended my marsh walk for today. Get inside, stay there and enjoy a nice warm cup of tea.

Ciao!

-Jorge

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