Kensington | Change Is Hard

May 15, 2025
by dawnkinster 29 Comments

At last, the little birds

I took myself out to Kensington, a favorite park for bird photography, on Easter Sunday morning because I figured it would be empty.

*There appears to be a lack of breakfast servers this morning, lady!* – *Mrs. Red Winged*

And, in some ways, it was. There were no families enjoying barbecue, and no busloads of school kids enjoying a field trip.

No one was feeding the little birds.

*We’ve been waiting for you! – Mr. Red Winged*

But photographers? Oh yea, photographers with their long, heavy lenses are not going to let a beautiful spring morning get lost in a holiday!

*My royal self does not come down just because you have food, madam. – Red Headed Woodpecker*

Still I bet most of us out there that morning managed to get at least a few (dozen) great shots.

*We’ll get our own meal, thank you. – TWO Red Headed Woodpeckers!*

And long ago, on a previous post I promised I’d show you more birds.

*I am not too proud to accept a free peanut! — Nuthatch in flight*

So here you go. I’ll try to limit this to some of my most favorite from that early morning walk in the woods a month ago.

*Excuse me, if everyone else has had enough, I’d like to approach the hand. — Titmouse*

But it’s hard. I have so many favorites.

*I’m a little shy, but I’d really like a bit of breakfast, lady! — Chickadee*

As I study each of these I’m transported back to that cool morning, surrounded by hungry birds, the deer watching from further back in the trees, the squirrels hurrying so as not to be left out.

*Thanks lady! Sometimes we get overlooked cause we can’t fly. — Black Squirrel*

The chipmunks hoarding, the sunlight shifting.

*I’d like a little more please! — Chipmunk*

It’s always a magical time at Kensington, no matter what part of the park you visit.

*Too busy to eat, I’m building my future family a new home! — Mrs. Red Belly*

But if you want to experience wildlife in a more intimate manner, get there in the morning on a weekday before the crowds and walk the trails at the Nature Center.

*It’s the interior decorating that takes the most thought.*

Or early on a holiday morning. That works too.

*You got to really get in there for the deep spring cleaning required prior to babies’ arrival!*

So tell me, which image is YOUR favorite?

*I’ll ponder that question. — Sandhill Crane*

May 12, 2025
by dawnkinster 19 Comments

The eyes have it

When you’re walking in the woods do you ever feel you’re being watched?

*A sea monster stranded on the forest floor.*

Depending on which woods I’m in, I definitely do. There’s always a bird or two hoping for a snack.

But it’s not the birds I’m talking about. It’s the others that hang out in the woods. They’re always silently watching.

Easter morning when I was walking in Kensington’s woods I deliberately walked to the trails in the back of the park, just to see who was watching me.

And, as usual, there were the usual suspects.

*I’ll take a peanut if you have one to spare, lady.*

Some of which I’ve shared with you today.

May 8, 2025
by dawnkinster 14 Comments

Who’s hungry?

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.

*Early morning light through spring skunk cabbage.*

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.

*But my cheeks can hold more seed than any of yours!*

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.

May 3, 2025
by dawnkinster 21 Comments

Bird spring

I was looking at my most recent posts and realize that almost all of them revolve around birds. Even Penny has noticed my obsession.

*Kensington Metro Park rookery, as viewed from the boardwalk.*

But I can’t help it. They’re so beautiful, and interesting, and entertaining. I could watch them all day.

Wait!

Sometimes I do watch them all day! Like Easter Sunday when I went out to Kensington on my own. I figured it wouldn’t be busy because everybody else would be getting ready for church or family dinners or both.

*There’s more than just the rookery to look at, lady!*

I was wrong. There were plenty of people, mostly photographers, out there. But we all work around each other and it’s fine.

I started out walking on the boardwalk near the heron rookery, an island with huge trees filled with heron nests. Every year the heron couples choose a nest and then have a set of little herons there.

It’s fascinating to watch.

Easter Sunday there was much heron coming and going as the couples updated their fixer-uppers in order to make them meet current esthetics. They definitely favor wood floors over carpet.

*This couple appears to be going with a new build v.s. a fixer upper.*

I spent a long time out there on the boardwalk watching all the work being done, and then I wandered back into the woods to see what else might be around.

*This guy was snapping sticks off the tree, tossing them aside and snapping another until he found the one he wanted, then he flew back to the rookery with his prize.*

Stay tuned.

Wordless Wednesday – how many flickers?

April 23, 2025 by dawnkinster 24 Comments

February 12, 2025
by dawnkinster 34 Comments

Wordless Wednesday

February 9, 2025
by dawnkinster 38 Comments

Last but not least

We were cold and tired. Our feet hurt, my back ached, but we were happy, knowing that we had each gotten several really good images of our favorite birds. It was time to drive home.

We each climbed into our respective cars for the trip out of the park. But there was one more place we needed to check out before we left. Because, on our drive into the park we’d both, separately, noticed a single swan sitting in a blue pool of open water in the frozen river. It was a stunning scene, but neither of us had pulled over.

When we climbed out of our cars at the Nature Center the first thing we said to each other was “Did you see that swan?” I offered to drive back there right then but she said, “No, we’ll stop on our way out.”

Neither of us really thought that swan would still be there on our way out. If we’ve learned anything doing outdoor photography it’s that if you see it shoot it. Nothing ever looks exactly the same again.

But we let the swan idea go and headed back into the woods in search of the birds you’ve seen in my previous two posts. In fact I sort of forgot all about that swan, I was having such a good time with the little birds.

But when we packed up the car for the return trip we decided if the swan was still there we’d stop. And wonder of wonder, when we drove across the bridge above the river there were dozens of swans!

Obviously we pulled over and climbed out of the car, forgetting our cold toes and fingers.

Standing out in the open, up on a bridge, as the wind blew and our fingers turned to ice we kept shooting until we had half again as many photos as we had already taken!

There were lots of swans, but I was most interested in the three that were near me, just below the bridge I was standing on.

There was the single, beautiful swan directly below us as well as the couple off to the side. It was like a photo shoot with beautiful models. As they moved, turning their heads and posing, we kept shooting.

Neither of us wanted to leave, it was so beautiful. In fact at one point I got back in the car. After all, how many pictures of a swan does any one photographer need? And then the wind picked up and the feathers on our swan blew in the wind.

And I had to get back out and keep shooting. Of course, wouldn’t you?

I swear, if you live close to this park in Southeast Michigan I’m surprised you’re not already in your car heading over there.

In fact, just say the word, I’ll meet you.

February 8, 2025
by dawnkinster 30 Comments

And finally –the little birds

It’s been three weeks since I last visited Kensington, my favorite park, feeding and taking pictures of the birds.

Those of you new here probably don’t know about Kensington, where the wild birds freely come down to outstretched hands for treats.

Most people seeing this for the first time think it’s odd and wonderful, all at the same time. Which of course it is.

Feeding the birds is one of my favorite things to do in the whole world and if I lived closer I’m sure I’d be there every day. There are some lucky people who are able to do that. I think some of the birds probably recognize them as regulars.

I see some people walking the trails for exercise, but the majority of people are there to experience a bird landing on their hand, or to photograph birds. Or both.

It’s been so long now since I took these pictures that I can’t remember the stories that go with them. So mostly I won’t narrate the birds’ thoughts. Suffice it to say that they’re mostly all about the food.

Mostly I was trying to get images of birds moving, they’re so beautiful in flight. But often I had the camera focused on my hand, waiting for the birds to land, and their wingspans turned out to be just outside the focus area. Lesson learned.

Still, you can see how complicated bird wings are, and how beautiful.

As photographers we were so lucky that day — the sun came out, so even though it was very cold and windy we got some beautiful light.

We spent a good two hours standing next to a small tree that seemed to be the launching ground for little (and some not so little) birds to buzz over to our hands.

We didn’t have to go look for the birds, they heard (through the grape vine?) about us and zoomed right over.

But eventually the sun lowered and the chill intensified. The handwarmers I put in my boots were now cold and so were my toes.

It was time to go home, but we didn’t want to leave our little friends. They were still busy coming and going.

They weren’t giving up on us…how could we give up on them?

But they had eaten a lot, their bellies should be full. And in the morning a whole new bunch of people would be on the trails, hands outstretched filled with oilers and peanuts and suet balls.

Breakfast will be served.

Oh…on a previous post I said that we saw something beautiful on the way out of the park…but this post is already way too long. So I guess you’ll have to wait just a little bit longer.

*Are you sure my breakfast will be here early tomorrow?*

I promise it’s worth the wait.

January 28, 2025
by dawnkinster 36 Comments

The smash and dash

Ten days ago I took you with me while I searched for the redheaded woodpecker. And as you saw, we found the noisy little guy almost right away! So did we turn around and go home, having achieved our mission?

Well of course not!

*I know I’m out of focus but look at my beautiful, piano key, wings!*

I have sooooo much to show you that it’s hard to choose! But I think you’ll enjoy our effort to get a good shot of the park’s smash and dash thieves, the brilliantly hued, but common, blue jays.

While other birds joyously drop down to hands filled with special treats, select a morsel and flit back up into the trees to enjoy their snacks, the blue jays stalk park guests, skulking up in higher tree branches, then drop lower to scout out the situation, as they wait for an opportunity.

*This girl looks promising, she has whole peanuts, my favorite!*

And when they see it, when the timing is just right, they swoop down, slam into the giver’s hand, grab the best treat and spill the rest of the seed on the ground as they dash back up into the trees to enjoy their spoils.

The rest of the birds stay out of the way and watch. It’s a kind of entertainment for them, too.

*Wow! I think the thief went that-a-way!*

Plus they get to gather the leftovers from the ground after the blue jay’s dramatic exit.

We spent a lot of time standing in one place trying to get images of the blue jays coming down for their smash and dash.

Mostly we got shots of the empty hand, or a blue jay behind.

I know my photographer friend has at least one excellent image of the blue jay just before it landed on her daughter’s hand, but my best shot was of him racing away.

We had so much fun trying to capture an image of the jays and watching the other birds. It was cold that day and everybody was hungry. I have lots of images of smaller and more polite birds that would like their stories told too.