Hawks and Hares and Oh My!...

Over the last month, we have been very lucky spotting ducks, eagles and other birds on our lake and around the U.P.

This weekend, we spied our first hawk, right on the side of the highway. I didn't think he would stay long enough for me to get a photo, but he just stood in the tree:

Here is a close up of him!

Isn't he pretty?

The sun was shining very bright on him, so the picture quality isn't too great with it reflecting it off all of his white chest:

In addition to seeing my first hawk to photograph,

about a month ago, when we were in the middle of the woods, we rounded a corner with the truck, and there was a rabbit nibbling on some grass.

He didn't seem to notice us at first:

But then the "lightbulb" went off.

He seemed to notice quickly that he wasn't alone:

But he played coy. He just slowwwwwly turned around

so that his body was facing me and my camera.

As soon as this photo was taken he quickly jumped off into the woods:

I couldn' t believe I caught him on camera.

Because rabbits in the woods are not tame like in neighborhoods where they nibble on people's gardens. They are pretty shy, and rarely seen. Many people up here hunt them with dogs to track their scent. I always feel bad for the rabbits when this occurs.


And then besides Hawks and Hares, I got another surprise this past weekend.

We went up to Lake Medora, near Copper Harbor to my brother's cabin.

He took us for a great boat ride on his beautiful lake (I will post those pictures on a future date) and while out on the water, we saw THIS:

I was so thrilled to see ANOTHER loon.

If you remember my posts on Arflin Lake about a week ago, you know that it was my hope to catch a loon someday on camera and finally got the chance there.

Now, to see another LOON within such a short timeframe on Medora Lake??

Let's just say...it MADE my day!

Here is another shot of the beautiful loon:

We didn't want to bother him very long while he was diving for fish.

He was the only lone loon we saw while out there.

My brother said he has seen a few this summer while out fishing on his lake.

Bet you can't guess where I will be revisiting again soon????

Because I am feeling a little looney.

Loons: Part 2

As you know from yesterday's post, I got the wonderful experience of seeing loons on Lake Arflin earlier this week.

Of course I took a zillion pictures of them, so lucky you....I had so many I am going to do three (count them: THREE) posts with just the shots I got of them.

Besides, as you are reading this, I am on my way to visit my daughter, husband and to hug on my two grandkids for the weekend. I preposted these blog posts so that they would schedule to go on my blog while I am away....

Hope you enjoy these pictures half as much as I enjoyed taking them!:

I think they are beautiful creatures:

The loon did not like the boat across the lake that was hauling a person on a water tube.

The boat did not come close at all to the loons, but he went into

protective mode right away:

Just going for a leisurely swim as a couple:

Peek-a-boo, Fish....I see you!:

Another shot of this beauty:

Primping to be done.....

I thought I felt a fish tickle my webbed feet!:

They went by a boat dock to our right, so the big pole in the way of the next photo, could not be helped. The boat was starting up again across the lake, so the loon went into protective mode again!:

Aren't his black and white markings on his back remarkable???

They just amaze me!

We will be gone a few days, so if I don't get to read or comment on your blogs (or answer your comments on my blog) for a few days, be patient! I will get to them and I will read them.

Tomorrow, I have preposted the last set of loon pictures for you, so check back then!

I should be back by Monday....

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Cliffhanger Explained...Part 1

Sorry that I haven't been posting daily this week.

For the next two or three weeks, we are going to be doing some traveling and then we are expecting company, so I can't spend as much time at the computer as usual.

So, the last time we chatted, I left a cliffhanger, now didn't I?

And then, I made you WAIT.

That wasn't very nice. I know.

But hopefully, you will be as excited as I was with what came next at Arflin Lake.

Remember the beautiful Merganser duck that surprised us by being there? (If not, go back 2 posts!!).

Well after we got all excited and I got all those photos, we continued chatting with the nice couple we had just met on the lakeshore. We were joking that at least we didn't get "skunked" and go home without any pictures of wildlife. And I mentioned how grateful I was to see the Merganser, and how it was well worth the wait and drive out to the lake that day.

I was telling the couple how I love blue herons, eagles, loons, moose, egrets, and that there were several types of animals and birds on my "wish" list yet to photograph.

And then I look out to the lake.

And I see...................................................................THIS!:

My FIRST loon opportunity!

I was so excited, I could hardly find him in my lens on the lake to shoot the picture.

Loons are usually VERY shy.

I was SURE I wasn't going to capture him.

And I look closer.

There are TWO there!:

They seemed oblivious to the four of us on shore.

They just swam around and around and fished.

There was a boat across the lake pulling someone on a tow rope and a tube.

They seemed more concerned about watching them.

This one began flapping his wings at the sound of the boat across the lake:

They swam over to our side of the lake, much to my delight!

Here they are right next to a dock to the right of the boat landing where we were standing:

Aren't they BEAUTIFUL?????




Taking a lazy swim in the water:

Dipping in for a fish snack:

What? You didn't bring me any fish?:

Even my backside is pretty. See?:

My side profile is pretty awesome, too:

The boat across the lake turned and made a circle

closer to them.

Not real close....

but enough

to

make

this

one

do THIS!:

Wow, his markings were SPECTACULAR~!!

As soon as the boat got further away,

he relaxed and went

back to fishing.

I got many more photos of them.

Stay tuned for Part 2 and Part 3

of

my loon photographs.

Coming to your local blog shortly!!!...........

(Now wasn't the cliffhanger WORTH it?)

I know it was for ME!!!!