Bye Bye Butterflies

One of my favorite things about spring, the butterflies at Frederik Meijer Gardens, has left for the year. While I wish they'd stay longer, the butterflies moving on means one big thing - summer is around the corner! :) Below are some of my favorites from this year's butterfly visit.


Highlighted by the sun


Movement


Twins!


Delicate Beauty

More are in my photostream on Flickr.

Happy Earth Day!

>>Learn what you can do to celebrate Earth Day today and every day!

The Great Grand Rapids Sidewalk Chalk Flood

This was one of the most brilliant ideas ever! Local college student Rob Bliss conceived and organized a massive community sidewalk chalk event. The weather couldn't have been more perfect and the mood downtown was overwhelmingly positive and happy.
>>See Videos and Read More About the Sidewalk Chalk Flood

The Weekend in Numbers

Over Easter Weekend, I spent four days photographing in Iosco County, Michigan. A wrap-up of the trip can probably best be summed up in numbers:

• 13 - different species of birds photographed at Tuttle Marsh (not counting songbirds)
• 4 - species of birds I'd never seen before
• 3 - early mornings getting up to photograph at Tuttle Marsh
• 2 - garter snakes that were very willing subjects
• 1 - patient husband along for the ride

A few of the Tuttle Marsh highlights:
Bald Eagle


Ringneck duck pair (front), Hooded Merganser (back left), Bufflehead (far right)


Two pairs of Ringneck Ducks


Great Blue Heron

I'll post more pictures from the weekend on my Flickr stream and in this blog as soon as I'm able to get them processed. :)

Fun at the Museum

On Saturday I had the pleasure of joining some friends and their kids for my first-ever visit to the Grand Rapids Children's Museum. We had a wonderful time! These are a couple of my favs from the trip...





This the beginning of a very busy couple of months. This weekend I'll be traveling to Iosco County in northeast Michigan for three days of shooting at Lake Huron, Tuttle Marsh and the AuSable River.

One Year Ago...

... these wonderful little barred owls entered my world.



They were around for a month and I was able to photograph them almost daily. I've heard barred owls again this spring, but have yet to spot any. I still hope their mom will be back with more little ones. You can see the full set of owl pics from last spring here.