Well, I am, for one. I haven’t eaten breakfast yet, and it’s mid-morning on a beautiful day here in Michigan. Lots of garden stuff to do. Places to be. People to see.

But I’d rather be here with you.

Remember when I was out at the heron rookery in Kensington Park on Easter Sunday morning? You didn’t think I’d just leave the park after seeing the herons, did you?

Did you???

Well of course not.

When I could finally pry myself away from those big nests I went for a walk through the woods. And as soon as I was off the boardwalk I heard this cardinal just singing his heart out and enjoying the morning light at the very top of a tree.

Of course when he spotted me, perhaps the first automated bird feeder to arrive that morning, he shot right down to a branch directly in front of me.

Right at eye level.

Now cardinals don’t generally come down to my hand to eat, though one did many years ago. But I think this one might have if I hadn’t accidently dropped some seed on the ground.

He was very interested in that.

So was Mrs. Red Winged Blackbird.

And so was this squirrel.

And this chipmunk.

In the end I dropped some more for all of them and went on my way.

I remember that some of you have requested more bird pictures. Well of course I have some. Coming right up.