We are lucky enough to live in an area that has incredible beauty in winter (250″+ of snow regularly), and a migration bottleneck for birds. The draw here is multi-dimensional.
From riding my fat tire bike in the snow and winter, to migrating raptors & passerines, we are blessed to experience both. Riding studded tires on snow is an amazing experience, especially when there are no other people around. Yes, we rely upon tourism to help the local economy, but that only makes our appreciation and reverence for the solitude of our brutal winters all the more special. A fantastic experience to be experienced over and over.
Golden Eagles are amongst the first and most stunning raptors to migrate through. One of my favorite birds, and simply gorgeous.
Yes, a Common Grackle, but stunning in looks with a piercing white eye to back up the attitude. This critter perched for us on the same day as the Goldens. You have to respect their abilities in the harsh conditions we experience early in the season.
The first day of the waterbird count produced many birds, but not in the numbers the following days produced. This gorgeous Northern Harrier flew by at least twice in the chilly, foggy condition only adding to their mystic.
A waxwing of Bohemian style (Bohemian Waxwing), these wonderfully songed critters “usually” spend a good part of winter here before heading to points north. I thank them for this pose.
Rough-legged Hawks are also among my favorites, and always a treat to see. We had many, many migrate through yesterday. This is a picture from a few days ago.
The Mackinac Straits migration count is the best spot east of the Mississippi for Red-tails, and we are thankful that many of those find their way to the Point. Gorgeous critters, all.
While birding with the aforementioned (pictured) raptors, my better half sent this picture of our local Ruffed Grouse saying “hi” from our deck. What a sight to see, and thankfully, our Aussie was downstairs pouting that I had not taken her with me on the Point birding expedition.
We have had a stunning Red Fox grace us all winter, and I really think it would have become friends with our Aussie, but this Coyote trotted by (a regular we see), then dipped onto the ice over that ridge. And yes, that is over what is normally water when the ice melts.
This bike has re-energized my love for bicycling, and with the studded tires made a perfect companion on the zero degree days and snow. The reward? Putting the “regular” tires back on and enjoying the wet, mucky sand on the ride. What a bike. What an area.
We are graced with incredible beauty every day we live up here. And every day, we experience something new or refreshed. And this gets us through the time where we have the visitors who get to experience short-term the area we call home and love. I am a very lucky man.