Trip Day 9,  May Sunday  2, 2021

It looked like a very fine day as the sun rose this morning at about 6:00 AM here. No,I did not see it but only the light coming through the windows and the blues sky that was a welcome greeting. We all love sunshine and blue sky.

But my morning was highlighted by two squirrels that were determined to get on the bird feeder which was surrounded by trees  and easily accessible. First I took down the feeder and that eliminated the largest problem, that was the suet. Somehow they could reach that but not the seed feeder (I had two feeders), The suet feeder also has an orange and dish for grape jelly. They did not bother the jelly. After removing the suet I waited a while  before putting the Oriole feeder back up and that seemed to (so far) discourage them.Time will tell. Chickadees, “Chippies”, White Breasted Nuthatch, Titmouse, and Goldfinches have all stopped to get  black sunflower seed.
 

The Salt Box Park from the rear view mirror .You can see it is down in the valley. The words on thesign are reversed!

The squirrel on the feeder hanging by its toes.

Below the flowers on a Dogwood in the Salt Box fields.

 We took time for church services on “Zoom” at 10:00 and always enjoy and get uplifted by them.

 That left us getting started to look for more possible birding spots. I had scoped out a 1/2 dozen so we would try to find them, and pursue the birds.

The first one was just a mile south of us on a road of  different name. “The Salt Box Park”. Simple enough? Sure, but we only asked two people on the way where it was and it didn’t appear on a sign anywhere. We did pass a small sign on a one track road and returned to see if that was it.  It was, and “voila” there were two full size hardball baseball diamonds.  and lots of space besides. After taking down a tent  from a celebration the day before, a group gathered by their trucks. I stopped and asked if this was “The Salt Box”? “Yes”they said but it was more than that. After I also asked if they could tell us where the Gillies Road Reservoir was, They all chuckled . (Local secret?) Almost. Many years ago the county wanted to make a reservoir out of this space as it was surrounded by hills. It never came to pass but the name stuck. So we “killed two birds with one stop”.  Oh the “Salt Box”?  Right! The hill by the entrance is so bad in the winter that the county put a large salt box  on the side of the road to use when the road was difficult or icy. The name stuck.There were no birds there ,so we moved on.

 We finally drove right to Marsh Road and the County park named Piney Run and Nature Center. We found it to be delightful.  It was named after the part of the reservoir named Liberty. (We were in the other side of it yesterday). and although the beach area was crowded and filled with many boats, (you could rent one there), the Nature Park was quiet with few visitors. It was not open indoors, but the raptor rehab building had 6 species of birds outside, recovering . Because of the wire fence, photos did not take well. A Great Horned Owl, a Red Shouldered Hawk, a Red Tailed Hawk, A Barred Owl, and a Pygmy Owl all were in various stages of rehabilitation. There was a large garden area , in early stages of opening. A few flowers, and displays like the Eagle Scout project of a large “insect house:” Again the birds were few.

 

 

After driving back to the trailer and downloading photos and getting refreshed we stayed until suppertime and agreed on some take out meal . We opted for Popeyes Louisiana Chicken and proceeded back to Westminster (17 miles) to get it. We may never have driven so far for a meal while trailering.  (Although we did drive from Grand Rapids to Sault Ste. Marie for dinner  for Ruth’s brother-in-law.. We have since limited the miles for that “free meal”.)

The day ended with getting final touches on tomorrow’s Bible Study, at 10:30 AM. As we study Moses arguing with God before the 40 years in the desert. (Exodus Ch 33 and 34) —-Tomorrow laundry?

 This is an Eagle Scout Project that holds bees (bamboo pieces) and various materials for insects and larvae to nest.

A yurt at the Nture Center whichis being constructed into a gift store and demonstration center.

                                    This flower at theNature Center is named Dame's Rocket.

Thanks for reading.