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The Daily Bucket -- A June Visit to Kensington Metropark [1]

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Date: 2024-06-20  

I’ve written about Kensington Metropark many times. It’s part of the Huron-Clinton Metroparks in southeast Michigan. For me, the big draw is to see some of my favorite birds up close. Like amazingly close. This park allows handfeeding songbirds. As many times as I’ve had birds land in my hand, it never gets old. The other bird that never ceases to thrill is the Sandhill Crane. Nesting pairs have gotten used to humans and frequently share the trails with us. For many years, I’ve longed to see young Sandhill colts. I finally got my wish last Friday on the first stop of a birding weekend. But first, there were lots of other sights to see.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PURPOSE AND HISTORY OF THE DAILY BUCKET FEATURE, CHECK OUT THIS DIARY: DAILY BUCKET PHENOLOGY: 11 YEARS OF RECORDING EARTH'S VITAL SIGNS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS

WE INVITE YOU TO NOTE WHAT YOU ARE SEEING AROUND YOU IN YOUR OWN PART OF THE WORLD, AND TO SHARE YOUR OBSERVATIONS IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.

I last visited Kensington in April. At the east entrance to the park there’s an Osprey nesting platform. The same couple has been nesting there successfully for many years. At that time, both birds were present and they were busy building this year’s nest.

Male Osprey delivering nesting material in early April.

The same nest last Friday. I think there are two chicks.

In April, the Great Blue Heron rookery in Wildwing Lake was a beehive of activity, with several pairs well on their way to completing their nests.

Great Blue Heron rookery in early April

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This is what I get for waiting two months between visits. I count four young Great Blues in this nest, along with two adults. So I totally missed the dinosaur stage. Zoomed.

Northern Cardinal male. Cardinals have been very cautious about approaching humans and in the past, I’ve only had one take seed from my hand. This male was still having none of it, although a female took seed from me several times on Friday.

Wood Duck hen with chicks at Wildwing Lake, who quickly disappeared behind the leaves.

There were lots of water lily flower buds about to pop open on Wildwing Lake. I’m not sure what the attraction was for the flies. Anyone know?

This chipmunk looks like it tangled with something and lost part of an ear.

Eastern Kingbird flying from its perch.

This is a first as far as I can remember — a Great Spangled Frittilary.

As I was about to leave for my next stop, I happened to see a pair of adult Sandhill Cranes a ways up a trail, walking away. A quick look through my binoculars verified that they had colts. I hustled up the trail, fearing that they would disappear into the tall cattails and phragmites. I needn’t have worried as they soon turned back, with the mom and colts eventually walking right past me. I’m still going through photos and plan on doing another Bucket. But here’s one of my favorites so far, along with the title photo.

Sandhill Crane mom and two colts. Get closer to the cuteness.

I didn’t see a Bucket in the queue, and didn’t want a dark day. But I’ll be in and out today, so treat this as an open thread and I’ll reply when I get back.

Now it’s your turn. What’s up in nature in your neck of the woods?

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