Michigan | Change Is Hard

April 26, 2026
by dawnkinster 12 Comments

A forced vacation!

Penny here! Boy I thought I’d never get back online and all of my fans would wonder forever what happened to me! Cause you know a little bit about the adventures my folks have been on, but I’m sure you were worried about me too. Right? Right???

Well at first mom and dad figured since I’m a big girl I could stay at home alone and mom would get home often enough to walk me and more importantly feed me. But once they were fully immersed in their adventure they realized they needed help, so one of our nice neighbors, Mr. Mike, came to the house and took me for walks.

He did that all weekend. I was cool with that cause I like Mr. Mike, and because sometimes he brought his dog Oliver along. Oliver and I are in love. (Don’t tell Oliver, but I have lots of boyfriends that I’m in love with.)

Then on Monday mom took me to go see my dog mom, Vivian, and her bestie Olivia, and my niece Sara and my mama S!

I just love visiting there, Sarah and I play nonstop. Mom says I instigate a lot of the play and that I’m a little stinker but mama S. says I’m a perfect little girl who fits right in.

I don’t think my mom is fooled.

*That’s my dog mom, Vivian, on the left and my niece Sarah on the right!*

I was happy to be there, but then I turned around and my mom was gone! I couldn’t find her anywhere! And even though I love to visit I still want my mom. I’d wait by the door every evening hoping mom would come get me.

I was there all week and over another weekend and half way through the next week! Heck, when Mom finally decided she’d come get me I’d almost forgotten about her.

*At the dog park I told those big dogs off. Cause they were on the other side of the fence.*

Still, I was glad to be going home and so was a little confused when we stopped at a dog park and mom let me run and run and run. She said she wanted me to get all the antsy out of my system cause I was going on another adventure.

*I like to contemplate life while I’m exploring.*

And I ended up at my kennel! What the heck mom! I hadn’t even seen daddy yet! But it’s a nice kennel and I don’t mind being there. I followed the girl to the back without even looking at mom.

I do that cause I know it hurts her feelings.

I should have been a bit more compassionate because mom says she felt terrible. But daddy was coming home from the hospital and he needed some time to get stronger before I was jumping all over him, so I had to stay at the kennel for four nights!

And finally, FINALLY, today mom came and got me and I was soooo excited that I barked and barked at her in the car and you know what she did?

*I’m back at my park. Wonder what mom has up her sleeve this time?!*

She stopped at the dog park and let me run and run and run until I wore myself out and then she took me home to see daddy who was very happy that everybody was finally at home.

*I love to run, especially to mom who always has a treat!*

And now we’re all going to get some sleep. I promised mom not to wake them up too early tomorrow morning. I hope I can keep that promise.

Mom really, REALLY hopes so too.

April 24, 2026
by dawnkinster 29 Comments

Creativity where you can find it

For the past few weeks our little family has been struggling with some health issues that resulted in 10 days in the hospital for my spouse. He’s back home now and the specific issue he went in for has been resolved, at least for now.

But ten days away from home is a lot. Ten days sleeping in a lumpy hospital bed, being woke every few hours by staff to check how he was doing, choosing meals from the same limited menu. Being stuck in one room. It was a lot.

Ten days of tests and pokes and jabs and the endless, repetitive questions from a steady stream of doctors and residents and students and nurses and aids and social workers and nutritionists and physical therapists.

*Sunset over a parking lot was the prettiest thing I saw in more than a week.*

It was a lot for him and a lot for me too, sitting on the room’s plastic sofa that turns into a narrow bed if you decide to sleep over. I didn’t though maybe I should have a night or two.

My view out his window was of another wing of the hospital, the original parts of a building that was originally built in the 1920s. It’s been added on and added on and added on. Finding anything within it’s winding halls is a crap shoot.

But the windows in the part we were in were big and I could watch the sky. Some days were particularly interesting as the Michigan spring changed by the hour.

Other days the sky was a basic boring blue.

*After a wet spring it’s hard to be mad at a blue sky.*

I told him I should have studied weather in school, I am so fascinated, and always have been, in watching the sky as it and the light changed.

Hours of waiting between tests take a toll on everyone. And by the end of the stay I was seeing ducks where there were none.

It was all a lesson, I suppose, in finding something interesting to photograph no matter where you are. And even if you only have a cell phone camera.

But as photogenic as the experience turned out to be, we’d rather not visit this destination again.

Wordless Wednesday

April 1, 2026 by dawnkinster 8 Comments

March 26, 2026
by dawnkinster 20 Comments

Experimenting with flight

No, not my flight, though when I was young I did think I’d like to fly a plane, and when I was even younger I used to dream that I could fly like a bird.

*This is the scene from the window and what I had to shoot around.*

No, this morning I put some peanuts in the flat feeder, and that quickly brought in my merry band of noisy bluejays. I swear they sit up in the trees and wait for me to fill the feeders. They always arrive immediately and with great fanfare.

*Trying to focus on the bird among the branches.*

And while I was standing at the window, watching them come and go in the morning light, I realized I could try to capture their flight. They were much too busy hogging the peanuts to notice me.

*He has 3 peanuts in his beak and more in his throat. But he’s not really in focus.*

You need a very short shutter speed to stop those wings in mid-flight, at least 1/2000 per second. If there is sunlight that’s easier to accomplish.

I took 84 images before the sun was hidden by the clouds of the latest incoming storm front. Out of that barely a handful are passable. But I learned a lot and some day I will try again.

I’m sharing them with you now, because bluejays, no matter the fact they are obnoxious, are truly beautiful.

Even if they are little pigs.

March 23, 2026
by dawnkinster 29 Comments

Visitor

I haven’t seen one of these in my yard in years. But yesterday afternoon she arrived.

*My first glimpse of this female pileated woodpecker.*

And she wasn’t here very long, just checking out the stumps of trees we had to cut down.

And then she was gone.

It’s just pure luck I happened to look outside while she was here. And that my camera was next to me when I did.

March 22, 2026
by dawnkinster 22 Comments

Proof

Backyard proof that spring is coming, and even if it’s still really cold out. Even when there is snow threatening to fall. Again. Absolute proof rests with my birds.

And the goldfinches are turning yellow.

Female blackbirds, hummingbirds and orioles will be here soon. Guaranteed.

March 11, 2026
by dawnkinster 30 Comments

Filling in

Penny here. I’m filling in for my mom who seems to be very busy. She and daddy are gone a lot during the day and I’m left to guard the house.

I will tell you that I am a very fierce guard dog — if I’m on the other side of a door. If someone, say the cleaning lady, comes through the door, well, I’m just a happy puppy that needs to get her head rubbed.

I can’t help it. I’m adorable.

*Running in my park is one of my favorite things to do!*

Anyway, mom and I haven’t been to dog school in a couple weeks. I don’t know when we’ll be back in school. Mom even missed some band, and there’s a concert (so she tells me) this coming Friday!

*We had a beautiful day for a walk at my park!*

I don’t know, the folks seem entirely disorganized at the moment. I think I’m going to have to give them a stern talking to. I’m sure they’ll shape up if I can get them to focus on me.

After all. I AM the most important dog in this household!

*Just because all the snow melted doesn’t mean we’re out of the woods. (Hee hee, see what I did there?)*

Mom did take me to my park this week. We call it Penny’s Park because mom didn’t take my sister Katie there very often. Mom says that’s because she didn’t discover it until Katie was pretty old, and it’s very hilly.

*It got pretty windy, even in the woods.*

I don’t think my sister will mind that this one is named after me. We still call her parks Katie’s Park and Katie’s Park II. I wish she and I had been able to walk in our parks together.

*Mom and I worked on my “STAY!” I aced it of course.*

Anyway, after a long walk in my park I decided a nap in my dad’s lap was just the ticket. Lucky for me my dad obliged.

Talk later, your substitute hostess, Pretty Penny, park explorer extraordinaire.

February 28, 2026
by dawnkinster 22 Comments

And the rest of the birds

Well, I left you on the trails in the woods of Kensington quite a long time ago. You’ve likely forgotten I left you stranded there, what with the red winged interruption and then of course Penny’s Wordless Wednesday.

There’s a lot going on here in Penny’s house and I’ve been too busy to finish up my walk with you and my birds, so let me just say the last few birds I met along the trail were all turkeys.

*Where there’s one, there’s always another following.*

Literally.

But here are a few of my favorite bird pictures from that walk. It all feels so long ago, but I hope they conjure up a beautiful day in the woods for all of you.

They do for me.

That’s it for me for awhile. When things settle down some I’m sure I’ll be back. Meanwhile, spend some time outside, finding your own special places and post. I just might find time to stop in for a pick-me-up!

February 21, 2026
by dawnkinster 26 Comments

Announcement

We interrupt our tour of magical Kensington to announce that spring has officially arrived here in Southeastern Michigan. OK, it’s 30 degrees out with a stiff wind and snow lightly falling.

But it’s spring. Trust me on this.

Wait. That’s the wrong image. One moment please…

…try now…

What? You don’t see anything? How about now?

Well yes, that IS a goldfinch who MIGHT have a yellow feather showing, but no, what about the big black blob? What do you see?

Maybe this is better?

Yes! It is indeed our very first red-winged blackbird scout of the season! Give that bird a gold medal, he’s arrived early and the weather is clearly not in his favor. In fact we had a hail storm only two days ago. I hope he managed to avoid it.

I saw him for the first time on Thursday (day before yesterday), but I was on the phone and not close to my camera. I got a very poor image of him with the phone. But I shared it extensively with my bird friends here. Almost all of them had seen one in their yards that day too!

Yesterday (Friday) he stopped by again. The images in this post are from Friday’s visit.

I had filled all six feeders for him in the hopes he’d eat something. It was a very windy day and he was very hesitant. He slowly worked his way out from the safety of the middle of the beech tree, watching all the other birds eating. Clearly he was interested.

And then he made his move.

I hope he’s here to stay. I haven’t even heard the distinctive red-winged blackbird call yet. But I hope he starts calling in all of his friends so we know he is more than a fluke!

And I’m glad we were able to give him some food and water if he’s headed further north. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see if he stops by again.

Happy Spring everybody!

Edit: He’s here right now, eating at the flat feeder! So maybe he’s really going to stick around!

February 19, 2026
by dawnkinster 37 Comments

It’s been a long time, Kensington

Last week I jumped at the chance to visit Kensington on one of our only blue sky days. It had been a long time, and I was hoping the birds were hungry even though I got out there a little later in the day than I like. But, instead of me telling you about it, let me just show you. You know it’s all about the birds….right?

*A sandhill crane sunbathing and not wanting to be disturbed.* *So I didn’t get close. A long lens helps.*

*I found the red-headed woodpecker at his usual corner. Wonder if there’s going to be a nest in there this spring?*

*Meanwhile the little birds were definitely hungry. This is a titmouse. They are so cheeky.*

*A bluejay keeps a careful watch for any spillage.*

*I did spend a lot of time with my hand out hoping to entice the bluejay or the woodpeckers down for brunch.*

*The male downy woodpecker was interested…but uncertain.*

*The squirrel enthusiastically enjoyed his treat.*

*And watching it all is a male red-belly woodpecker. Who really wants a snack but doesn’t want to get too close.*

*Though he works his way down from the tree to get a little closer, keeping his eye on me.*

*Meanwhile the little birds fly in and out, grabbing snacks on the go.*

*And right next to the path, last year’s young sandhill crane is poking around in the mud of a stream.*

*Under the watchful eye of mom and dad. They were both just a bit further up the stream. And they knew exactly where I was.*

*The red-belly supervises it all, including me, from his safe place.*

*Brunch continues with a titmouse grabbing a shelled peanut.*

*Now there was a bit of a traffic jam. Notice the chickadee wing shadow on the downy woodpecker’s chest.*

*The woodpecker won, but the chickadee will be back, see him behind the woodpecker?*

*The red-belly is happy with his score.*

*But wait! Who is this? A FEMALE red-belly waits for a snack of her own.*

*The chickadee tells her off, he’s been displaced once too often already.*

*But it’s time for me to leave all this drama behind. I move on, leaving seed on the path for everyone to share.*

Will I see any more birds on the rest of my walk. Well…of course…but they were birds of a different feather. They’ll show up in this blog soon I’m sure. They’re kind of pushy.

Change Is Hard

…but change is certain.

Tag Archives: Michigan