Wildlife Watching

Probably one of our favorite activities at the log cabin is to watch wildlife. This includes the birds (we have many feeders!), fox, coyote, deer, turkey and more.  In our northern Michigan town you can go to the Pigeon River Forest to try to catch a glimpse of the elk or head over to Gaylord's City Elk Park.

This nature park has a wild herd of elk on about 100 acres. They have been cared for by staff for over 14 years. They have approximately 70 elk and they are magnificent to behold!

Every spring I await the return of the Common Loons. This is one of my favorite birds! I love their complex behavior, their beautiful feathers and the haunting song they make on the lake.  They are the true sound of the north!

Cabin Friends

This is my "noisy at night saying peeper, peeper 20,000 times friend."




This is my silent friend who recently got booted from his favorite grassy area by the Loon. He may be angry, but chooses to remain silent.




And this is my spoiled friend who gets his own peanuts every time I'm up at the cabin. And if I forget, he'll stand on my deck and chirp to let me know I'm slacking!

Experiencing nature at the Log Cabin

One of the biggest joys of where our log cabin is located is all the beautiful nature that surrounds us. Whether it's out our cabin door or in the next county over - Northern Michigan has a wild beauty all its own.

Nature can be so reflective....so peaceful......

Like water running over snow covered rocks in the Ausable River....



A beautiful Doe frolicking in the woods....


A group of Mallard Ducks swimming soft circles.....




Or it can be vicious like a cougar attacking your arm!

Early Spring at the Log Cabin?

"If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances. I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I would pick more daisies.” - Nadine Stair


I really think I'm beginning to see signs of an early spring at our log cabin. Maybe it's wishful thinking but I submit the following as evidence.

My Black-capped Chickadees have been investigating the nest boxes I set up.



The creek has gotten wider.



Our lake ice is starting to break up.



And Baby has asked me where the patio furniture is. Psst! Jen - Baby says hello!

Log Cabin Critters

One of the best parts of where our log cabin is located is seeing all the "critters" that we share our land with. The woods and lake provide a great habitat for wildlife. I still remember the thrill of seeing an eagle snatch a fish out of our lake this past summer. And seeing a coyote stroll nonchalantly across the frozen lake. Come meet a few of my friends.

This is "Baby" - my tame little baby squirrel. She runs right up to me on the deck and sits on her two legs waiting for me to give her some food. (Greg keeps saying I'm going to be sorry when she bites me and I have to get 200 rabies shots - but I'm willing to take the risk!)

From 2009_01_31

Of course I love these Black-capped Chickadees and love how some of them eat of our hands. They still seem to prefer to eat out of Greg's hands more. I don't know why. Maybe I need to sit down with them and explain who puts out all the bird feeders, refills them and takes photos of them to show everyone what supermodels they are.




This past weekend I got to see my first Common Redpoll. They are sweet and feisty little birds. It was fun to watch them battling the Pine Siskins for the thistle feeder.

From 2009_01_31

The sweet songs of a goldfinch warm my heart. They bring the promise of spring in my eyes.

From 2009_01_17

"I know I just woke up, but aren't I the cutest cabin critter of all?!"

Morning routine at the log cabin

Much to my husband's dismay, I am a very early riser, especially when we are at the log cabin. This bodes well for the cat who likes to be fed right away. Cats like routine and I must admit I like my morning routine as well.



The first thing I do is step out onto our deck and look across the lake to survey my log kingdom. If I were queen, I would make everyone live in a log cabin! That and I would ask them to make me some cookies.












I might wave to the neighbors across the lake. (Okay - they don't know me and I'm sure they think I'm nuts when I stand out on my deck w/ my sheep decorated pjs!)











I'll ask the pine tree if it has any pine cones. It doesn't answer but I'll go looking for some later.












I fill up my bird feeders and remind the woodpeckers to peck the food not the log cabin!
















I say hello and offer the chickadees bird seeds from my hand. They ask me where Greg is at. (They like him better.)


















And I watch the black squirrel devour a suet cake in less than 5 minutes. He's getting expensive to feed.












Then I head back into the log cabin and ask my hubby what he would like to do today. Snow shoeing or hiking? He grumbles from his sound sleep - "it's not even 7:00 Shelley!"
Whoops!

A little snow and a bad woodpecker!

I am writing this on Saturday afternoon. The snow has begun to fall in Gaylord. This will be good for hubby. It's opening day of hunting season in Michigan and Greg is camped out in his deer blind right now. He gave me a call and has seen no deer yet, not even a bird. Meanwhile I am "looking" at my christmas decoration purchases and trying to resist the urge to put them up. The birds are running rampant and the squirrels are crawling all over my deck and driving the cat crazy!



Bad Mr. Woodpecker was trying to drill a hole in my deck post. Doesn't he see the 5 suet cakes I have put out for him?


Looks like the Black Squirrel is a little messy eater. Look at the suet crumbs in his tail!

Birdwatching at the Log Cabin

One of the best things about having a log cabin in northern Michigan is all the different types of birds we get to see. We have seen Bald Eagles, Pileated Woodpeckers, Black Capped Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatches and so much more. Setting up bird feeders all over our property and seeing all the different feathered visitors have given us as well as our log cabin guests much enjoyment. I think it's great for the kids in teaching them about nature and wildlife. My 9 year old stepson can now identify every bird that visits our feeders.


If you do decide to feed the birds, I would recommend the following items:

• Buy a Field Guide for Birds so you can identify all your visitors. Amazon has a good selection here.
• Pick up a decent set of Binoculars. These are especially handy for those hikes in the woods and will also help you with bird identification.
• Bird Feeders - I have a varied selection - suet cages, tube feeder, platform feeder (not all birds will feed from a tube feeder) and thistle bag. I would highly recommend getting some baffles or squirrel proof feeders so your birds have a shot at the food!
• Good selection of Bird Seed. The quality seed will attract a better variety of bird - I stay away from the cracked corn and other cheap birdseed fillers. I get the Black Oil Sunflower seed - (many bird's favorite), suet cakes (woodpecker's favorite) and thistle for my finches.
• A heated birdbath - this was one of the best investments I ever made. This is such a popular place in the winter for birds who need water - it expends too much energy for them to eat the snow - plus they still like to take a bath in the winter. (In the summer, just unplug it and you can still use it.) It will also attract birds that won't necessarily come to your feeders. I had a Coopers Hawk drinking out of it last winter - of course no other birds joined him while he was there!
• Bird Houses - we got to experience baby Black-capped Chickadees being raised and learning how to fly this past summer - it was so precious! Not all birds will use a bird house and the birds that do use it have specific requirements sometimes and the opening has to be a certain size, etc. Consult w/ your bird supply store or online.
• Window decals or sun catchers to prevent bird strikes. Over a million birds die per year because of hitting a window. I had 4 chickadees bang their head on my cabin windows last week so I put up the sun catcher I have pictured below.

HAPPY BIRDWATCHING!!

I bought this sun catcher at a local gift shop and affixed it to my window with a suction cup holder.

Morning at the Log Cabin

Saturday morning was beautiful in Northern Michigan. It was sunny, low 60's and the light wind was blowing off the last of the autumn leaves. I get up so much earlier when we are at our log cabin - I don't want to miss a moment of what could be going on. Especially to see who's going to come visit me...



Here's the morning mist on the lake. You can see our log cabin off in the distance.

This black squirrel was very busy between emptying my bird feeders and teasing my cat with his loud chatter.














I had a flock of Black-capped chickadees all day on my bird feeders. I love their energy and how they let me get so close to them.

The Downy Woodpecker enjoying a suet cake. Greg put a few more up around our property. I hope we can attract that Pileated Woodpecker back to our yard!

Kayaking into nature

I think one of the best things I ever did was purchase kayaks for our log home. It lets you slip quietly into nature without the roar of a boat motor. It allows you to hear the birds singing and the wind rustling through the trees. I am able to get much better photographs of the wildlife that I love so much.

I purchased recreational kayaks as I don't see any member of my family having the desire to go down cliffs with rocky rapids that require a helmet! They aren't that expensive - Price ranges from $180 - $900+. And just seeing my husband and stepson's smiling faces as they glide on by the log cabin and wave to me definitely made it worth the purchase.



Big Greg and Little Greg enjoying the day.

















Good Morning Mr. Heron. You look very nice today.

















Hello Mr. Loon. Glad you decided to make your home on my lake.












Well hello kitty cat. How is the fishing today?

Come visit our log cabin

It was clear and sunny up at our log cabin this weekend. We had a great time with my sister and my brother-in-law. We had a whole host of visitors....

Female Grosbeak
























Mr. Chipmunk hosting the birds at the birdfeeder....

The chickadee and housefinch having their own social gathering....

"Hey sis! Watch out for the snapping turtles!!!"

P.S. She wasn't fazed.

More Log Cabin Friends

As you've probably figured out, every bird or animal I see up at our log cabin immediately becomes my friend! (With the exception of mosquitoes and spiders!) I've really become attached to this Loon pair and kept thinking of how I could help the Loons of Michigan since their population is decreasing. (For some of you who may read my bird blog - sorry for the repeat!) Anyways, long story short - I am now a Loon Ranger with Michigan Loonwatch and will now be watching over and tracking the progress of the Loon pair on a neighboring lake. I have the mama Loon and her 2 babies pictured below.

Sweet little Goldfinch that visits our thistle feeder throughout the day.

Mr. Chipmunk who is coming close to eating out of my hand.

Friends I've made at the Log Cabin

I've made several friends at our log cabin. Being in a wooded setting, all sorts of great creatures come your way. My noisiest friends are by far the Chickadees and the Nuthatches who clearly like to inform me when to fill my bird feeder. The black and gray squirrel need some manners about the bird feeders but they do make up for it with all their chases and amusing antics. My turtle is a little shy but does make an appearance here and there. The Bald Eagles that fly over the lake are great teachers of beauty and freedom. The Loons treat me to the most beautiful, haunting music on the lake. The chipmunk has shown me how the dead tree in our yard is actually the "tree of life" for him and the birds. For that, I will never cut it down. I'm looking forward to the many more friends I will make and the lessons they will teach me...