December 14

Sunday, Remi stayed home while I accompanied two members of the Chippewa Valley Audubon Club on their annual Christmas Bird Count. The early morning weather was overcast, hazy with a temperature of 41 degrees and no wind as the recent above-freezing temperatures melted all the snow. We began from the south end of Coldwater Lake in Isabella County where, just off shore through the dense haze, we counted large numbers of Canada geese and Mallards along with a few Mute Swans that together were swimming, walking on the ice and making lots of noise. On shore, close by, we heard and saw a Belted Kingfisher, a few Blue Jays and Crows. Continuing clockwise around the lakeshore, we stopped to count a few Common Mergansers and Black Ducks swimming in open water and a few House Finches perched in nearby trees. Making our way to the eastside of the lake, we stopped at a 4-H camp that was closed for the season, walked to the water’s edge where we paused to listen and add one Bufflehead as well as several Goldeneye ducks to our count  Nearby we spotted a few leafless, High-bush Cranberry shrubs with their bright red fruit. Further south, we stopped briefly at Coldwater Lake Park where we added more Black-capped Chickadees and Mourning Doves to our count. Leaving the lake, we headed north to the Weidman Millpond where we stopped to search for more birds and listen to the water rush over the spillway. Riding through the residential section of the small village of Weidman, we stopped by several bird feeders where we counted Goldfinches, Downy Woodpeckers, Cardinals and House Sparrows. Finally at noon, I returned to my car for the trip home.

High in a hazy gray

Or low without snow

Honk of a Canada goose

Caw of a Common Crow

Noisy Jay of blue

Silent Cardinal of red

White breast of a Chickadee

Black cap on its head

Some perch or swim

Other ones in flight

Nature’s winged wonders

December morning light

D. DeGraaf