One of our target birds was the Kirtland's Warbler. Kirtland's Warbler, also known as the jack pine warbler, is named after Jared P. Kirtland, an Ohio doctor and amateur naturalist. Nearly extinct just 50 years ago, it is well on its way to recovery due to conservation efforts to restore at least 160 acres of dense young jack pine for its breeding habitat. This habitat was historically created by wildfire, but today is primarily created through the harvest of mature jack pine, and planting of jack pine seedlings, which is where we found them.
Featured Photo: Kirtland's Warbler (Setophaga kirtlandii), Curtis Road, IOS (MI)
EQ: D850, 500mm f/4 Taken: 5-17-2019 at 6:48
Settings: 500mm (35mm eqv), 1/500s, f/6.3, ISO200, 1/3EV Conditions: sunny
On the way to Tawas Point, we made a detour to Shiawassee NWR (MI) because our guide found out that there was a Whooping Crane in the area. We did find the Crane but it was about 1km away so only ID photos but I was able to capture a flight of Sandhill Cranes and an Eastern Phoebe.
Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis): Shiawassee NWR, SAG (MI)
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe): Shiawassee NWR, SAG (MI)
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus): Wood Road, ISO (MI)
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis): Tawas Point SP, ISO (MI)
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula): Tawas Point SP, ISO (MI)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris): Tawas Point SP, ISO (MI)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris): Tawas Point SP, ISO (MI)
We spent a couple of days birding around the Tawas Point on Lake Huron. I really like when it is overcast because it’s like a huge softbox allowing for better photos throughout the day.
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula): Tawas Point SP, ISO (MI)
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus): Tawas Point SP, ISO (MI)
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus): Tawas Point SP, ISO (MI)
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens): Tawas Point SP, ISO (MI)
Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus): Tawas Point SP, ISO (MI)
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia): Tawas Point SP, ISO (MI)
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus): Tawas Point SP, ISO (MI)
Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius): Tawas Point SP, ISO (MI)
Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum): Tawas Point SP, ISO (MI)
North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum): Tawas Point SP, ISO (MI)
Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum): Tawas Point SP, ISO (MI)
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea): Tawas Point SP, ISO (MI)
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius): Tuttle Marsh Wildlife Area, IOS (MI)
Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera): Au Stable SF - Big Creek Rd, ARE (MI)
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla): Au Stable SF - Big Creek Rd, ARE (MI)
Yellow-throated Vireo (Vireo flavifrons): Au Stable SF - Big Creek Rd, ARE (MI)
Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera): Au Stable SF - Big Creek Rd, ARE (MI)
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus): Au Stable SF - Big Creek Rd, ARE (MI)
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata): Hartwick Pines SP, CRA (MI)
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus): Hartwick Pines SP, CRA (MI)
Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus): Hartwick Pines SP, CRA (MI)
Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus): Hartwick Pines SP, CRA (MI)
Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus): Hartwick Pines SP, CRA (MI)
Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla): Hartwick Pines SP, CRA (MI)
Your comments are welcomed and if you have any questions about these photos or any other leave me a message.