We often watch swallows swooping and diving to grab insects out of mid-air at high speeds, and are in awe of their athleticism. Today we were treated to this adorable scene of a mother Barn Swallow feeding her hungry trio of fledglings. (Actually this might be the father -- I can't be sure from the lighting here.)

Monthly Scavenger Hunt: Athletic (msh0712-10 and msh0712)
Our Daily Challenge: Starts with H (Hungry babies!)

Tags:   Indian Springs Metropark Barn Swallow birds fledglings hungry birds on a branch Michigan nature msh msh0712-10 msh0712 Monthly Scavenger Hunt Our Daily Challenge Athletic Starts with H Hirundo rustica

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Our Daily Challenge: Size

Shot from a low POV to emphasize how big the sky felt here. This is similar to the Big Sky picture I posted back in June, but since we're having another "gorgeous cloud day" today, I just had to shoot some more. This was taken in a housing development that only has a few houses so far, with the remaining open fields being used as perfect habitat for loads of sparrows and other birds. I started going there a couple weeks ago in search of the Dickcissels that had been found by another birder. After 4 visits I still haven't found them (although I have heard them singing). Even though it's frustrating not being able to find the Dicks, this beautiful sky partly made up for it today!

Tags:   clouds sky Our Daily Challenge Size ODC landscape wide-angle

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While birding today I noticed some of the large trees had big holes in them, and started looking for possible roosting owls. That's not exactly what I found, as you can see!

For Our Daily Challenge: Peek-a-boo

Explored: May 17, 2013, #146

Tags:   Beaudette Park raccoon baby animal Peek-a-boo ODC Our Daily Challenge

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"The fog comes on little cat feet." Carl Sandburg

Another shot from my walk in the foggy park on Monday. It was the most incredible experience to be in such thick fog; I only remember being in fog like this one other time in my life. I strolled slowly around the empty golf course, enjoying the strange quiet and dampness in the air. The fog made everything mysterious and exciting in a way I hadn't expected.

After the golf course, I walked out on a small peninsula on the lake edge and got disoriented when I couldn't see a thing on either side of me because the fog was so thick there.

I don't think I'll soon forget this day!

Explored! Dec 4, 2012, #240

Tags:   Fog Stony Creek trees mist haze Explored!!

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I was tickled to find a flock of 5 Cedar Waxwings in these trees at the entrance to our public library today. Cedar Waxwings will gorge themselves on practically any type of fruit they can find, and I had fun watching these guys contorting their little bodies to reach every possible piece of that delicious hanging fruit.
So they're addicted to fruit and I'm addicted to taking pictures of birds. And as far as I can tell, neither of these addictions has a down side!

Our Daily Challenge: Addiction

Tags:   Cedar Waxwing berries birds Addiction ODC Our Daily Challenge

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