Trail Camera, Fox, Coyote, Turkey, Raccoon, in west Michigan

Here is an accumulation of the past several months from my Truth Cam.  I have left it in the woods near a meadow.  At times I will put out a pumpkin or table scraps.  I was most excited to see a coyote again.  I see mostly fox, crows, deer, turkey, and raccoons, occasionally a stray dog or people.

I've had this camera for two years, and almost everyday it has been outside taking pictures.  It is still exciting to check and see what was captured in a photo.

The moon phase, temperature, date, and time are on the photos.

Turtle, Bird, Moth, Wildflowers - A Mix from Michigan

June 2013
A visit to Happy Day Acres in Dalton Township, Michigan with my three sisters, one brother, one sister-in-law, one brother-in-law and one great nephew (who is 8 1/2 years old and into birds) was a bonus adventure.  We walked a bit south of the property to a wet area I had seen on Bing maps.  My great nephew spotted a bird off in the distance and identified it as a Cedar Waxwing!  I zoomed in on it with my camera and he was spot on.  What a beautiful bird with his tail dipped in yellow paint.

                                  Cedar Waxwing

Also near the swampy area we saw... 

   

 

 

As we walk through the woods one sister asked about something in a bush.  I thought it looked like dried leaves but wait...it had a pattern to it and little feet holding on to a twig!  I think this is a Small-eyed Sphinx, two of them!

                Small-eyed Sphinx  (Paonias myops)

The Small-eyed Sphinx (Paonias myops) is a species of moth of the Sphigidae family. It is found from south-eastern Canada to Florida and westward almost to the Pacific Coast.  The wingspan is ~2.47-2.72 inches.  Adults are more nocturnal than most sphingids; after an initial bout of activity after dusk, they fly throughout the night. Adults are on wing from June to September in eastern Canada.

More of what was in the woods at Happy Day Acres.

 
  

  

 I found this neat fossil but have yet to identify it.

Earlier that day, Marie and I took a walk near my home to the Grand River, there is a large wet meadow here where so many plants and animals live.  A quick walk to the river and we saw three Snapping Turtles laying eggs. 

Along the Grand River near Grand Haven here is what we saw...

 

What a nice visit with family and nature.

Five Lakes Nature Sanctuary Muskegon, Michigan

June 3, 2013
First stop for the day was along White Road in Muskegon, Michigan - we have been here before and there is a small parking area.  The gated two-track runs all the way down to the Muskegon River near Mosquito Creek and Spring Creek.  The property is owned by the State of Michigan. 

 Wild Lupine (Lupinus perennis)  Bean family

 

In the parking lot we saw Wild Lupine, Hoary Puccoon, and Birdfoot Violet.  It was a chilly start to the day but quickly warmed up with the sunshine.
 

 Hoary Puccoon (Lithospermum canescens) Borage family

 

 

We also saw White Campion, Silverweed,  Tower Mustard, Sheep Sorrel, Wild Lily-of-the-Valley, Wild Geranium, Dame's Rocket, Wild Columbine.

Next stop was a place called Lane's Landing, more Michigan State Game Area off Maple Island Road.  Here the gate was open and we drove past the trees and out into the open field.

At Lane's Landing was saw Bird's foot trefoil, Virginia Waterleaf, Cow Vetch, cinquefoil, Yellow Goatsbeard, and buttercups.

We made our way to Five Lakes Nature Sanctuary, 88 acres in Muskegon County owned by the Michigan Nature Association. 

 We saw Field Hawkweed, Birdfoot Violet, Frostweed, tadpoles, many birds, and beautiful bunches of False Heather.

False Heather (Hudsonia tomentosa)  Rock-rose family


 Frostweed  (Helianthemum canadense)  Family Rockrose

It is amazing how fast the day goes by when I'm with my sister Marie out roaming for wildflowers.  It is always fun and something I really look forward to.