Every time I go out on a hike it is such an adventure. I never know what I’m going to find?! As I learn how to use my new camera, it’s such a treat to be able to bring some of the beauty home with me.
Lately I keep spotting more and more red cardinals. I hear other birds returning, there are all kinds of chirps and singing sounds happening, but I can’t seem to capture any except for the bright red beacons.
Just yesterday a huge owl flew over my head, it was so cool. I had no time to take a photo, but I did have a bit of luck with a few of these beautiful birds.
Some of the other treasures that are easy to find this time of year are the abandoned nests. I found this one in my backyard.
With the branches bare, it’s easy to spot clusters of twig and twine wrapped into all kinds of vessels, especially when they hold a pile of snow.
(Click on any of these thumbnail photos above to see a larger version of each nest.)
On one of the hikes I went on last week, when I got back to my house, I was shocked to find this ladybug crawling in the snow, just outside my front door. It was so still when I knelt down to take a photograph, I wondered if it was alive, but she soon started crawling very slowly. I feel a bit like this lady bug, moving slowly trying to find my way in this long wet winter.
Finding these treasures on my hikes has helped me cope with the winter blues. And if a ladybug can survive, I’m sure spring must be just around the corner.
What kinds of treasures have you found lately?
christine m young ✻ artist 
#1 by Lisa Albertson on March 10, 2011 - 9:46 pm
Looks like an Egg in that one nest!
#2 by Amy on March 11, 2011 - 8:54 am
i love the close photo of that cardinal… feels like he’s looking back at you…beautiful
#3 by jeanie on March 11, 2011 - 4:40 pm
Wow — cardinals I’ve seen. Ladybugs? Not so lucky! Great photos!
Signs of spring — well, right now the sun is out and streaming through my window, making me eager to leave my office! The snow is pulling away and I’m seeing a border of grass on my lawn and even little patches! I know my thyme is strong under that snow and hope to pick a bunch this weekend — it’s so much better fresh! I’m seeing birds at the feeder and even a ‘possum! (Which infuriated Gypsy no end.) Not here yet — but we’re working on it!
#4 by beth on March 15, 2011 - 10:28 am
your photos are beautiful…
and since you’re new to michigan, i’ll let you know something. that wasn’t a ladybug but it was a lady asian beetle….they look similar, but are very different. the lady asians are intrusive and will cluster in late fall on porches and sometimes even inside your house if they can get in. they are messy and they stink when you kill them. they are not a friend to anyone in the midwest. they are more orange where a ladybug is red.
just thought i should give you the heads up 🙂
#5 by Christine M Young on March 15, 2011 - 10:52 am
Thanks so much for the heads up on the lady asians, along with the link. This is a new house for us and we seem to have a box elder bug issue on the South side near where I found the little lady in the snow. I hate to use insecticide and just read about using powdered borax in my window sills. I’ll try this first in hopes on shoeing the bugs to another home.
I’m remembering a beautiful shot you had of a box elder I think?? Interesting how pesky little things can be so beautiful.
#6 by ladyfi on March 16, 2011 - 1:16 pm
Fabulous shots of the red cardinal! And that bug must be a sign of spring!
My latest post shows you the treasures I’ve found…