It's been so cold and windy here I've been holed up trying to stay warm. Finally decided to suck it up and try to get to know my new A1. I headed out to nearby Sterling State Park on Lake Erie hoping to find something worth shooting. Sometimes if the wind comes strong from the east the ice will pile up into fascinating structures. Once in the park I drove along the main road toward the beach. About halfway back, I saw a few cars along the road and some people with cameras. there was a small herd of whitetail deer browsing near the road.
Not much to see down at the beach, took a few shots and made a hasty retreat, the wind was pretty stiff down there and was starting to hurt the bare skin.
Next stop was a trailhead that has a nice bridge not too far from the parking lot. While walking in I saw a group of people with cameras looking up. There was a tree full of berries and cardinals.
There were a couple of guys standing apart from the others, their attention held by something in a pine tree. I walked over quietly, and one of them pointed up: "Northern Saw-Whet Owl." I looked up and searched, eventually spotting the little guy about 10' up. These are pretty common in Northern Michigan but not so much around here. I guess they're also very nocturnal and usually way up in the trees, so sightings are rare. This one was very sleepy and was in the thick needles, so there was limited visibility. I still consider myself lucky to have had the opportunity. According to the guy who pointed him out to me, this bird was on his bucket list and he drove up from NE Ohio having heard there is a pair in the park.
All in all well worth it, plus I got home in time to watch the Detroit Lions win the next round of the playoffs!
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Not much to see down at the beach, took a few shots and made a hasty retreat, the wind was pretty stiff down there and was starting to hurt the bare skin.
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
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Next stop was a trailhead that has a nice bridge not too far from the parking lot. While walking in I saw a group of people with cameras looking up. There was a tree full of berries and cardinals.
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
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There were a couple of guys standing apart from the others, their attention held by something in a pine tree. I walked over quietly, and one of them pointed up: "Northern Saw-Whet Owl." I looked up and searched, eventually spotting the little guy about 10' up. These are pretty common in Northern Michigan but not so much around here. I guess they're also very nocturnal and usually way up in the trees, so sightings are rare. This one was very sleepy and was in the thick needles, so there was limited visibility. I still consider myself lucky to have had the opportunity. According to the guy who pointed him out to me, this bird was on his bucket list and he drove up from NE Ohio having heard there is a pair in the park.
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
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All in all well worth it, plus I got home in time to watch the Detroit Lions win the next round of the playoffs!
