The Seney National Wildlife Refuge is located about 90 minutes north of the
Mackinac bridge, in my home state of Michigan.
The weekend of June 22, 2002, my wife and I went to Pellston to visit her family. There,
her parents offered to take us on a little tour of the area. We made a day of visiting the
local lakes.
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Once across the bridge, we saw our first osprey and a young bald eagle!
Farther north, we entered the refuge and went into the museum. There were various mounted
animals and birds displayed with interesting facts. Then the fun. There is a 1.25 mile
path which encompasses a small section of the refuge. There we saw a pair of sandhill cranes.
I photographed them, water lilies, and a barking squirrel.
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After a 45 minute battle with the mosquitoes, we returned to the museum, and took the car
thru the remaining miles of the refuge. Here we saw beaver, deer, flowers, swans, and
the eagles.
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We returned home approximately 9:45pm. What an awesome trip!
The following morning my wife and I took a 3.5 hour hike through the black fly/mesquito ridden
forest along the maple river, with the intention on locating a beaver dam. Well, we found
the dam, beaver less. Still, with the constant cry of the gulls, and the beautiful forests of
fern and fir tree, we came back reassured that god is still in control. Incidentally, my
father-in-law informed us that there was another beaver dam on the opposite side of the road!
We were too tired to look...
Here is what Pellston has to offer...
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This was my second visit to Pellston this year. The first visit was in January,
when the ground had about 2 feet of snow. There were hardly any birds then. In my in-laws
backyard, there were many goldfinch, purple finch, sparrows, a nesting bluebird, gulls, crows,
and even an oriole!
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My wife and I spent 4 days in the wonderful company of Stan and Lorene
Chatfield. We thank god for them and their hospitality, for their knowledge of birds and
their love for the Lord Jesus Christ. For their son, the Reverend Rusty, his wife Betty,
their 7 wonderful children, and their service for the Lord!
The Northern woods are so peaceful and full of surprises. It is so hard to leave the place.
Hopefully, soon, we will return, and enjoy the company of family, friends, and gods beauty.
I will then post more photos of my favorite photography!
