Tuesday’s 5.79-mile lumber was OK, but nothing to write about1. There was little to no visible critter activity, and I had to rely on some nature nubbin macro shots to scratch my itch.
In fact, it was so lacking that I chose to bail early and missed my 6-mile target by a nugget hair. Oh well.
WEDNESDAY
Wednesday was more of the same, except colder (36˚), sunnier, and with more critter activity. In other words, it was way better, and I got my 6 miles in, and have 17.80 in my feetz so far this week.
It was nice to see the return of the rose-breasted grosbeak to mid-Michigan. The RBG are such funny birds, and they always remind me of the character Al on the old Happy Days TV show.
Today I saw two different males (one not quite mature, I think) in two different places. The red on the breast of the adult male is way brighter. I was also surprised how close the immature one let me get; I almost had to take a step back to get him in the frame!
Earlier in the week, I saw a photographer from Indiana who I follow on IG post some pics of a grosbeak and figured they would be here soon. And it seems for once in my life I was right.
Early in the lumber, I was heading down one wooded trail when I looked to my left and saw three deer resting in the brush. They didn’t move a muscle, thinking that I couldn’t see them, and we just stared at each other for a bit. I fired off a few crap photos and then moved along, with only one of them ever getting slightly spooked.
Oddly enough, there were other deer that heard me coming, and all I saw was a flash of whitetail as they sped through the woods.
Of course, I was lucky with one that took off, and then stopped and froze. Probably not the best escape plan, but hopefully, after nearly 4 years, they are learning that I am no threat to them and just want their photo.
The temps are still too cold to see any bugs, frogs, snakes, or turtles, but sooner or later I’ll be able to leave my gloves at home for good, pack some bug spray, and get some more interesting critter shots.
My plan is to get out tomorrow as normal, but Friday is up in the air due to a mid-morning appointment with Doctor Bob to finally get two small lipomas on my back ribs removed. It’s a simple procedure, but I have no idea how long it takes or how much pain I might be in. Hopefully none. All I know is that I’m looking forward to being able to sleep on my side without my ribs aching!2 I’m also hoping that he lets me keep them to take macro photos of. Doubtful.
Later.
THE SOILED SOUNDS TRACK OF THE POST
One of my favorite garage punk bands, Nancy and The Jam Fancys, just released a new single called Higher Than Usual, and it is amazing!
It’s so good, I wish it were longer than three minutes! Of course, when I listen to it four times in a row, it’s 12 minutes long!