• April Fool's Day-What'sUP April 2 - 08:25 am

It's a rare occasion here in the Keweenaw when you spot a Cardinal, but Russ Hanson, who is a local birder, said in a recent article that there have been four of them spotted in the Hancock city limits this year. The specimen pictured here was snapped by Frederic Koski and quite the shot it is, you can almost see what he's thinking! The second photo is a critter we've all seen (smelled for that matter too) and was just discussed awhile back about being a harbinger of spring. Tom Cook was the lucky photographer (or unlucky if he got too close), to capture this guy. I love the caption he had for it in his Guest Gallery - - Stink Spring! Last but not least, my neighbor (who wishes to remain anonymous) was so excited to get a picture of the rare copper bellied hummingbird so early in the birding season, that his hands were shaking a bit, thus blurring the picture, but I figured it was still worth a spot on the Pasty Cam.

Beautiful picture of the cardinal. We have them down here in AL year around, as we did when I lived up in the Chicago area also. Interesting that this particular one in the picture seems to have some white "frosting" on some of it's feathers. Don't think I have ever seen that before on cardinal. But then again, I have never seen them so close up as in this picture.
Speaking of which....I am wondering what kind of camera was used for that shot? I am thinking of getting a digital SLR and was looking for some opinions from some of the regualrs here. Please email me with what you use for photography and how you like it. Any and all opinions are welcome. :-) Thanks!
Best wishes,
Renee in AL

Good Morning. Great pix. Love the site.

Pepe looks like he's been wading or else the dew was heavy that day. Great cardinal picture, they've been passing through here for about a month. I had a hummer in my face so close my eyes were crossed trying to focus on it. Seems the red bandana sweatband drew it in, sounded like a huge bee and startled me into standing back from the flowers I was weeding. Never did focus and it was gone before I realized what it was. Too Close!

WOW! What great shots! We have cardinals year round, but have never seen one this close. I too would like to get a better camera with a better zoom. Have a nice digital camera and it takes great shots, but would like the zoom to be closer for birds and all the concerts I go to. We can print our own pictures with our printer/scanner too. That is so nice. Our scanner is an Epson and if you use the Epson picture paper, they turn our great. Have a great day!

BEAUTIFUL pictures this morning...Tom, I just viewed your album. Its great and you really have a good eye. I bought a fancy camera and I am anxious to get some nature pics too. Keep up the great work.

Wow...once again my admiration for the photographer with the wonderful ability to capture the image of the birds! Mr. Koski your work continues to amaze me. I LOVE the cardinal picture, and the shot will be my background for today. Also love the little hummingbird pic by Toivo's neighbor. (Love the title too~Stink Spring!) As for the skunk...well, my big dog, Kodi Sue has had a few too many run ins with the stinky critters for me to have any admiration what-so-ever, but I guess I'll have to commend your courage Mr. Cook, for attempting to be any where near that skunk, in order the get the picture! heehee, stink spring...cute!

The cardinal pic is beautiful! But I really like the pic of the skunk! Look at that expression it has on it's face! "what? who me?"

Hey all, good morning ... the spring pics of birds are great ! I bet the Keewenaw area is a great migratory route stopover for many heading north...? Finally uploaded all my pics to my pasty folder from my trip to Sweden !! I can sure see why my great grandfather decided on the UP as a place to live. It looks just like the Swedish country side !!
https://pasty.com/pcam/jeffkal

Great photos today. I really enjoy both photographer's work. The cardinal is one of the best and a rare sight in Fred's neighborhood. Happy April Fool's Day everyone especially too Toivo and his shaky neighbor :-)

great shot of the copper-belly - i've been trying for years to see one
Toivo, your neighbor's birdfeeder is a rubbermaid, the toughest bird feeder on earth, but the red squirrels still chew 'em up and rubbermaid doesn't make them anymore

Mornin', Happy April Fools, love the birds, not the skunk. Red Hat ladies are celebrating their birthday today.

I have moved from the East Coast to the Valley of the Sun. So, I no longer see or hear these birds. I truely miss the varied songs that these cardinals are capable of sininging. Right before sunset was when they were most vocal.

OK, here's the question..why are the branches chewed off around the cardinal?

I noticed as the hummingbird photo loaded, the marker said "Photo by Tovio's neighbor" and it the notes it says Charlie's neighbor. Funny, eh?

Toivo sez: Uh, Kelly, you best go back and read the notes again -- Toivo (that's me) wrote today's notes on this page and I said, "Last but not least, my neighbor (who wishes to remain anonymous)----". Guess the jokes on you! 8-)

Deb S. and all....yes a nice zoom on a camera is a must too! Would love to know from Frederic what camera he used to take that cardinal picture.
Best wishes again,
Renee in AL

Fran in Georgia tried to send an email to you but was sent back, the address listed here is incorect.

Thank you for the nice comments, the branches were cut because they were getting in the way, I should have cut them closer and cleaner. I use a canon digital rebel, it's one of the cheaper digital slr's available.
Just one more month until morel picking season starts :)

Fred, an old Ojibwa belief is that if the rare copper bellied hummingbird appears before the season there will be a great mushroom crop. Can't wait myself. Good luck!

Fred and Ken,
Can either of you recommend a good book that can help me to find morels w/out eating the wrong darn ones?
I LOVE mushrooms, morels in particular (of course), but I don't know anyone who picks and have always been afraid to get out there and try myself (as if I knew where to go, anyway).

Marc, Go to this link. It has everything you need to know. Soon all you'll need is a little salt, pepper and butter. Enjoy

http://www.michiganmorels.com/

Thanks Ken!

Thanks Fred!

Sorry to have offended you all.

Can't believe how much ice and snow has melted this week!

Cardinals live here (GA) year round. One roosts near the bedroom window; you can almost set your clock by him starting in Jan. He lets out a burst of song way before sun-up -- when the sky is just turning gray. Then he's silent for a while and when it gets good and light out, he sings for a long time. Today both the male and female were eating flowers off the trees (good source of protein).

Kelly Marshall,

I don't believe you offended anyone on here, at least not me anyway. For the most part, we're a jolly bunch of people as long as we've had our coffee:)

Oh what a nice picture, this bird is unknown in Germany

Toivo, It took a year, but you finally got someone with the "copper bellied hummingbird" I was looking back at last years post. Ran to search my bird books for this rare bird. Googled it. Couldn't find any information. Only when I went back to look at the picture did I notice the date. Good one :)