BOOGEY-BOOGEY-BOOGEY!

MWAH-HA-HA!!

Happy Halloween! I hope I didn't scare you...

The day wouldn't be complete without a trick! Here's a dead fish...enjoy!

My New Favorite Bird (not including the Warbly Things!)

Yep, tonight's a two-post night. I thought the Snake post might not be to the liking of a few of our snake-o-phobic buddies, so here's some cute little birdies to offset the slithery hissersssss.

After me and the Doodles got to hold and cuddle with the Golden-crowned Kinglets at BSBO, we really grew attached to this species. We have never noticed as many in the woodlands as we have seen this autumn. As I was watching them and 'trying' to get a few photographs, well over two hundred fuzzy shots to, uh, file, I noticed how similar to my favorite Warbly things they were.

They very seldom are seen sitting still. These little buzz bombs are darting around snagging insects from every crack, crevice, stick and leaf they approach. Just like a Warbler! So, since spring migration is still about six months away, I decided that Kinglets are the ideal 'practice warbler!' I don't know what I'm going to do once the snow hits...maybe shoot the Doodles throwing snowballs at me...

This one flew so close to check out Doodles, that I couldn't focus without leaning backwards about an inch!

"Eh, What's up Doc?"

The Ultimate Golden Booty!

What is wrong with me?...

This Ruby-crowned Kinglet shot is a prime example of most of my photos...flying blurs.

COMPLETELY off the subject, we were lucky enough to see a Blanding's Turtle. They are rarely seen along the Lake Erie shore counties and are a threatened to endangered species due to habitat loss. Have you purchased your Duck Stamp yet?

SNAKES ALIVE!

So, there we were, driving along, minding our own business at Magee Marsh, when, there in the MIDDLE of the road...A SNAKE! Oooooh, scary! Well, what would you do if you were a snake on a sunny but cool day? Of course! You find the nearest paved road and crawl onto the middle of it and warm up...while hoping that moron with the big pick up truck doesn't turn you into a speed bump, albeit a very small one.

Being the friendly, helpful sort of chap that I am(humble? no.) I stopped Laurie's Landie in the road, blocked traffic, received an 'unusual' wave from the, uh, gentlemen behind me and proceeded to gingerly pick up the future speed bump. You'll notice that I'm going for the tail first. Certain things one learns the hard way. Did you know Garter Snakes are quite flexible? You think you have a good grip on their necks, then you realize, they are pretty much all neck and that little head can turn on you really fast! Fortunately, this guy was really mellow and didn't much care. I picked him up and carried him to a safer side of the road to warm up...and stay tubular.

Silly snakes.

" Who's your buddy?"

Warming up in a much safer location!

Funny, spiders I'm not so comfortable around, but snakes are cool(pun). They are actually quite soft and almost satin like in texture. Try it someday! Just watch out for the tiny little teeth!

*Poor Chris in Iceland, he's freaking out right about now. Sorry Chris!

The Great Northwoods...

This very colorful (even to me!) tree was full of Cedar Waxwings.

This is a different "Northwood" than the one you may be thinking of. This lovely city park, Nature Trails, is between the BirdMobile and Toledo, just south of Oregon, yep, Oregon, well actually a different Oregon. This area is full of great place names!

We spent a typical autumn day walking their loop trail. It was a little chilly with a crisp wind and occasional drizzle, which my camera does not like one bit! Fortunately, there are the occasional trees which still have enough leaves to keep me and the Doodles from getting soaked! It was worth it to view the last of the fall foliage and maybe a few more migrating birds before the snow hits...ick.

American Robins were found in great flocks in the meadows and farm fields as well as every tree and shrub in sight.

And of course, the Dark-eyed Juncos were giving out the crazy eye to anyone that spotted them!

Speaking of crazy...oops...the Doodles says "Smile!"

I still think House Sparrows are very handsome birds...

You may have to click on this pic to enlarge it.

I thought it was a Song Sparrow as there were quite a few about.

Turns out it was a Lincoln's Sparrow giving that Cedar Waxwing a piece of his mind...very tastefully and quietly of course...

Now there's a Song Sparrow. I think it was the brightest one I have ever seen.

I was looking for more Sparrows in the tall grass and wildflowers, when up popped the Yellow-rumped Warbler.

Every day you spot a warbly thing is a good day!

There were a number of puddles in the grass due to the rain and all of the birdies were taking advantage of Saturday bath time.

Even a pair of Northern Flickers were taking advantage of the puddles...and the insects around them!