Thursday, April 30, 2009

Tulip Time



If you've never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom.

~Audra Foveo

It's that time of year again for the Tulip Time Festival in Holland, Michigan. This festival was named "Best Smalltown Festival" by Readers Digest. Events include fireworks, a parade, many musical groups, arts and craft fair and of course tulips! It runs May 2 - May 9. Click here for a brochure of events.


Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Flowing Creek

“Water, air, and cleanness are the chief articles in my pharmacy.”

- Napoleon Bonaparte (French General, Politician and Emperor (1804-14). 1769-1821)






Sunday, April 26, 2009

Michigan's State Bird

A Robin Redbreast in a cage
Puts all Heaven in a Rage.

~William Blake, Auguries of Innocence



Thursday, April 23, 2009

Red Squirrel

Lots of people talk to animals.... Not very many listen, though.... That's the problem.

~Benjamin Hoff, The Tao of Pooh




Monday, April 20, 2009

Tomahawk Creek Flooding

Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, in which you can walk with love and reverence.

-Henry David Thoreau










The hubby and I took a field trip out to the Tomahawk Creek Flooding area which is part of the Mackinaw State Forest in northern Michigan. This is known for its wildlife viewing opportunities. We were hopeful we would see Loons or Osprey but maybe the next trip out here. We heard several Black-capped Chickadees and observed Canadian Geese (they must've followed me from my cabin!) and a female doe.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Cattails - Nature's Gift

“It is good to realize that if love and peace can prevail on earth, and if we can teach our children to honour nature's gifts, the joys and beauties of the outdoors will be here forever.”

- Jimmy Carter (American 39th US President (1977-81). Nobel Prize for Peace in 2002.







Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Waiting for my Loons

Lakehood - a poem by Loons Forever

a lake

needs a loon

to laugh with the moon

to be a lake




I'm headed to our log cabin tomorrow morning. I am very excited to see if my Loons have returned yet. If the lake ice is fully broken up, then I may be in luck!

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Taking a walk...




If a man walks in the woods for love of them half of each day, he is in danger of being regarded as a loafer. But if he spends his days as a speculator, shearing off those woods and making the earth bald before her time, he is deemed an industrious and enterprising citizen.

~Henry David Thoreau

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Hurry Grosbeaks!

If I keep a green bough in my heart, the singing bird will come.”

- Chinese Proverb





A sure sign of spring in northern Michigan is the return of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak. They are one of my favorite bird visitors with their cheerful songs and large clown beaks. The female is more of a drab brown but still has such a sweet face.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Ice Break Up

“Friendship that flows from the heart cannot be frozen by adversity, as the water that flows from the spring cannot congeal in winter.”




Little Bradford Lake - the ice is finally starting to break up. My kayaking days can't be far behind now...

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Stephan Bridge Canoe Landing

We cannot command Nature except by obeying her.

~Francis Bacon