TRUMPETER SWAN at Kellogg Bird Sanctuary .Similar to the Whistling Swan, America's common native swan. Wing spread 6 to 7 feet. Photo shows the gracefulness of these large birds. This bird kept putting its bill in the water ,scooping up something,aquatic material or maybe it was thirsty. Note the drops of water coming off the bill.

RED -TAILED Hawk photographed at Kellogg. Red tail colour show when the hawk is soaring. Range: Alaska,Canada,to Panama . Habitat:Open country, woodlands, paririe groves, mountains, plains. This bird was caged,the wire was digitally removed.

GREAT HORNED OWLS at Kellogg Bird Sanctuary. A large owl with ear tufts or horns. I assume this pair to be parent and offspring. Several forms of this owl ,this is typical, also a subarctic (lighter colored) form. Note the yellow eyes.

BARRED OWL photographed at Kellogg Bird Sanctuary . Only owl to have brown eyes except for the Barn Owl. Range ;Canada to Honduras Habitat ; Woodlands,wooded river bottoms, wooded swamps.

Mature BLACK SWANS at Kellogg Bird Sanctuary. Black swans are mostly black feathered with a line of white flight feathers . Cobs (males) are larger than pens( females) with a longer and straighter bill. The bill is bright red, with a pale bar and tip.The neck is long and curves in an "S". Wingspan ; 5 to 6.5 ft. ;Weight 8 to 20 lbs.;Length 40 to 55 inches. Native of Australia. First photo ; swan on land really looks awkward but a beautiful bird. Second photo, swan on water in an aggressive position. This bird charged us, standing on a small walkway bridge for about 20 minutes. It would bite our shoe toes, time after time,swimming away then returning at full swimming speed. Note the neck feathers standing on end.

BLACK SWAN CYGNETS at Kellogg Bird Sanctuary. Generally, black swans nest in the wetter winter months(Feb. to Sept.) native to Australia and adjacent coastal islands. A clutch contains 4to8 greenish-white eggs ,incubated for about 35 to40 days. After hatching, the cygnets are tended to by the parents for about 6 months ,until fledging.....REF..Wikipedia..Black Swan

Tundra Swan (Bewick's race) photographed at Kellogg Sanctuary in Michigan. Found it interesting as to the structure of the bill. Must be a very interesting reason for all the contours and ridges.

Kellogg Bird Sanctuary a part of the Kellogg Biological Station (given to Michigan State University 1951) is one of my favorite places to observe and photograph birds. Photo shows Wintergreen Lake (40 acres and 20 feet deep) and some of its residents,most waterfowl is free to come and go. Check it out at birdsanctury@kbs.msu.edu

Miniature Wood Duck carving by the author. Many years ago,I did a lot of wood carving ,last year I planned to do a set of 12 duck species carvings in miniature. (3 to 5 inches long ). Somehow I lost interest ,but since the winter months are approaching ,hopefully the interest will return. Posting of this practice piece should be encouragement,well,at least the colours all seem to match.

Quote for the day.....All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered ; the point is to discover them .-- Galileo Galilei

Blue mist bluebeard shrub is a breath of fresh air when the mid-summer garden starts to look tired. This lightly fragrant plant, produces flowers to frost. Very hot summers and very cold winters are not good for longevity,however these plants are easily started from cuttings. The photo is my first year planting. Quote for the day.....Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind,it doesn't matter----- Mark Twain