Hoppy New Year

 On my last visit through Hidden Lake Gardens this year I was greeted by two Wood Frogs in the Conservatory.  Since they both look pretty much the same I’m only showing one here.

To learn more about Michigan Frogs go to the Michigan DNR website.

It’s easy being green…for some

I started doing some work on a woodcut this morning but the smell of 60 degree air was too much to resist.  After a quick lunch in Tecumseh I took off to HLG for a quick walk.  I had my camera with me and stopped in the conservatory to see if the Cacao tree had any flowers (for my woodcut project)…it did not.  As I stood there looking up at the tree I glanced to my left and noticed this little fella hanging out by the fountain.  I quickly changed lenses and took a slew of photos.  I’m glad he stayed put because it took me a while to set my camera correctly.  I knew there were frogs in the conservatory because I heard one not long ago from the outside.  Frog calls are a little unusual in the middle of winter.  I’m not real sure about the species.  I vaguely remember his call since I wasn’t expecting to hear it.  I just know that Green Frogs have that little fold running down their back, starting from the ear.  Anyway, whatever kind of frog this is….it’s living the high life.

Christmas Bird Count at Hidden Lake Gardens

 Yesterday, a friend of mine and I spent the day counting birds at Hidden Lake Gardens for the Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count.  We spent the entire day, from sunrise to nearly sundown seeking out and counting birds in all corners of the property.  By the end of the day I was Jaded (hence the photo of the Jade Plant)…exhausted and overworked but also refreshed and relaxed from all the fresh air.  I didn’t see as many species as I had hoped.  But we had fun nevertheless.  

Here is our final tally for the day…

Mourning Dove-1
Red bellied woodpecker-4
Downy WP-6
Blue Jay-18
American Crow-17
Black Capped Chickadee-43
Tufted Titmouse-10
White-breasted Nuthatch-6
Golden Crowned Kinglet-2
Eastern Bluebird-4
Cedar Waxwing-170
Dark eyed Junco-8
Northern Cardinal-8
Pine Siskin-13
American Goldfinch-5

Tecumseh Center for the Arts

 Nuthatch was a winner in the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s “Little Green Places” Photo and Art Contest.  You can see him live at the Tecumseh Center for the Arts from now until the end of the month.  Nuthatch and eight other original prints will be on display during the TCA’s production of “It’s a Wonderful Life” and the “Big Band Holiday Concert”.

Evening of Lights, Hidden Lake Gardens

Last nights display of lights at Hidden Lake Gardens was a photographers dream.  I could have easily spent the night in the Gardens.  I’ve always loved this fountain in the Conservatory, so the fountain at night with candles was the highlight of my night.  I laid down on the floor to take this photo.  I’m not a “photographer” so to speak.  I take pictures.  And sometimes I do unusual things to get the shots I like.  Since I didn’t have a tripod with me I placed my camera on bricks to steady the camera for a long exposure.  I like to keep it simple and frequently use signs, rocks, fences or trees to steady my camera for night shots.  Anyway, I want to thank all the HLG volunteers for all the effort they put into their Evening of Lights.  It was incredible!

Christmas Bird Count

This Red-breasted Nuthatch hangs out in my back yard.  Last spring I started to get serious about bird identification, starting with a purchase of Peterson’s “Birding by Ear” cd.  Then I received Stan Tekeila’s Michigan Birds cd and Sibley and Kaufmann bird guides as gifts.  A few weeks ago I was asked to help with the Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count on Dec. 14th at Hidden Lake Gardens.  So for the past few days I’ve been reviewing my field guides to touch up on my visual identification skills.  I’ve also been waiting patiently for our first good snow to do some cross country skiing.  I was at Hidden Lake Gardens yesterday and there was barely enough snow to ski.  I decided to just hike the Pine Trail instead.  Today there will be no hiking.  Today I’m working on a woodcut for the Chocopalooza Festival this winter at Adrian High School.  I hope to have a photo of one or two finished prints in about two weeks.