Golden Crowned Kinglet

Golden Crowned Kinglet, by Mary Stebbins, Lakeshore Parkway, Grosse Pointe Shores, MI.

We found this bird dead but still very warm on our Christmas eve walk. It seemed strange to find a bird that primarily eats insects and a bit of fruits and seeds active in the winter. We don't know how it died.

Click on picture to see larger. 

The Kill

The Kill, by Mary Stebbins. This picture was taken out past the Marble Lighthouse at Bellle Isle in Detroit. A large predatory bird (hawk or owl) appears to have captured a small songbird (such as a sparrow). You can see, int his photo, the wing prints of both the large and small bird, the tail print of the large bird, and what is apparently the plowing mark made by one of the feet. Click on the picture to see larger.

I also just saw a Merlin (Pigeon Hawk) eat a pigeon in our back yard.

Mary, Christmas Day, 2005