Thanksgiving Day Walk

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Another nature photographer at the park took this picture for me.

Yesterday was Thanksgiving and I had the opportunity to visit my bird friends at Kensington Metropark Nature Center in Milford, Michigan.  For this special occasion, I decided to bring a full Thanksgiving dinner —sunflower seeds, safflower seeds and lots of peanuts!  The birds at Kensington, for better or worse, are well-acclimated to people and know that we are an easy source of food. So, before I could even get the seeds out of my pocket,  the birds were following me—landing on branches and bushes along the way trying to get my attention.

Downy Woodpecker

Maybe because it was so very cold outside yesterday, or maybe because it was Thanksgiving Day, the birds were more plentiful and more insistent than when I had visited them earlier in the year. As soon as I started to put my hand into my pocket to get out the seeds, they were everywhere–chickadees, nuthatches, juncos, bluejays, cardinals, tufted titmice, red bellied woodpeckers, and downies! When the smaller birds weren’t landing on my hand to grab the seeds, they were landing on my head or my shoulders or the nearby branches waiting their turn. If I put the seeds down somewhere (like a railing or a stump) in order to  snap a picture or two, they would flutter around in front of my lens– or even land on it momentarily. It was magical really and I had a very hard time pulling myself away.

So, this Thanksgiving , in addition to the love of family and friends, and the blessings of good health and a roof over my head, I am thankful for all the beautiful creatures that add joy to my life.


  • Tufted Titmouse
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Red Bellied Woodpecker
  • Bluejay
  • Red Bellied Woodpecker
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • Female Cardinal
  • Dark Eyed Junco
  • Red Tailed Hawk with prey
  • Red Tailed Hawk looking at me!
Sandhill Crane in flight
  • Sandhill Crane
  • Sandhill Crane
Squirrel
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • Nuthatch
  • Chickadee
  • Male Cardinal
  • Female Cardinal
  • American Tree Sparrow
  • Male Cardinal
Bye, Bye, Birdie!!

Published by Jeanne Church

I am a 76 year old retired teacher with an avid interest in hiking and photography. I am not a professional photographer, but spend almost every day exploring the natural world, taking pictures and honing my skills. When I review the pictures I have taken, I love researching information about the things I have found-- and then sharing my results with others. The time I have spent walking in the woods (including 4 months on the Appalachian Trail at 68) has always been somewhat therapeutic. When I added photography to the mix a few years ago, it quadrupled the therapeutic effect! Opening pictures on my computer at the end of the day is like opening presents. There are always surprises! It allows me to see so many details that were not visible to my naked eye! I have learned so many new things about birds and bugs, reptiles and mammals that I never knew before--and I have also found, that when I share with others, I invariably learn something new!

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4 thoughts on “Thanksgiving Day Walk”

    1. The tufted titmice, chickadees and downy woodpeckers fed from my outstretched hand repeatedly throughout the day. All the other birds–Cardinals, bluejays, juncos, and red bellied woodpeckers fed nearby.

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