up close with nature

~ click to enlarge photos ~

last two weeks in nature

Nature Notes/Signs of the Season is hosted by Rambling Woods

my week in nature

Last weeks buds are this weeks blooms.

...this is one of the most interesting things i've seen...

After the worst rain/flood we've had a couple of holes showed

up in the flower beds.  Upon inspecting them we found that water

was moving below the surface of the soil at a pretty decent pace

and the soil eventually gave way and caved in.

I thought this was a pretty cool form of nature.  If you click on

photo to enlarge you can see the water much better.

I really like the way new growth looks in front of tree bark.

It's been a buggy Spring so far.

I finally captured a cardinal pic I'm happy with.

These are two of the five chipmunks I've counted at the feeders.

~ click to enlarge photos ~

Nature Notes/Signs of the Season is hosted by Rambling Woods

tree frog

Little tree frog captured in one of the flower beds.
Although it seemed a bit scared it move just
enough for me to capture its back view.

After a long hiatus from blogging I'm glad
I was able to contribute a frog post for
"Save the frogs day".

~ click to enlarge photos ~

Signs of the Season/Nature Notes is hosted by Rambling Woods

Camera Critters #108
Hosted by Misty Dawn

a critters home

A couple of weeks ago I noticed a few trees critters
were making homes in. This is one of them.

Here's a bit closer so you can see the entryways.

Today I founds some snow tracks over the
approach that were leading up to the tree.

Looks like the little critter was busy in his travels.

Here is a close up of one of the prints.

~ click to enlarge photos ~

Although the tracks look a bit like squirrels they
are clearly much smaller. My first thought was
a chipmunk so I search for some images
and they look pretty close.

Signs of the Season/Nature Notes is hosted by Rambling Woods

black-capped chickadee

~ click to enlarge photos ~

This black-capped chickadee ran into the basement
window a couple weeks ago. At first it was very
stunned. My brother set it down on a sunflower
and it eventually regained its senses and flew off.

Camera Critters #92
Hosted by Misty Dawn

turtles waiting for treats

~ click to enlarge photos ~

A couple of my nephews turtles waiting for a treat.

Camera Critters #87
Hosted by Misty Dawn

red-bellied woodpecker

~ click to enlarge photos ~

Taken a couple weeks ago.

Camera Critters #84
Hosted by Misty Dawn

tree climbing mouse

~ click to enlarge photos ~
Not sure if you'll really be able to make out the mouse but it is there.

A couple weeks ago my brothers dog sniffed out a mouse.
It was quite amazing to watch it run up this tree in survival mode.

Camera Critters #83
Hosted by Misty Dawn

ladybugs

~ click to enlarge photos ~
Captured last Sunday in Manchester, MI.

Camera Critters #82
Hosted by Misty Dawn

green larvae

this larvae put on a little show for us

~ click to enlarge photos ~
Captured about a month ago in Manchester, MI.

Possibly a diamond-back moth caterpillar
but I was unable to positively identify.

Camera Critters #81
Hosted by Misty Dawn

Signs of the Season/Nature Notes is hosted by Rambling Woods

hickory tussock moth caterpillar

I'm pretty sure this is a Hickory Tussock Moth caterpillar.
(Lophocampa caryae)

Not sure if this is its cocoon or another caterpillars.
Manchester, MI - 1 week ago

Camera Critters #78
Hosted by Misty Dawn