Is the American Robin a harbinger of spring? Many people believe so, but the fact of the matter is, some robins never left southeast Michigan and sightings were common all winter. Oakland County is a 365-days-of-the-year home for these much loved, lawn-hopping, worm-slurping birds with rusty-red breasts and cheerful, rather intricate songs.
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We have all seen the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. A year ago, our lives started changing and life as we knew it was fundamentally altered from how it used to be.
As the county looks back at the last year of living with the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to recognize and pay tribute to the sacrifice and resilience of Oakland County residents and honor the collective pain and loss that has touched our lives
Oakland County has created a pair of virtual story maps that embody the spirit of Oakland Together with both the gratitude we’ve felt for big and small acts of kindness from our friends, neighbors, family, co-workers and strangers as well as the grief and loss many of us have experienced from deaths from the coronavirus.
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Ten days have raced by since snow blanked Oakland County, and the mercury plunged to ten degrees below zero. Spring has accelerated her annual duel with winter, and no matter how long it takes, spring always wins. The sights, signs, and sounds of nature’s way in February’s last days are everywhere.
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Woodlands fell silent as winter’s grasp tightened and temperatures plunged to single digits. However, blue sky mornings added beauty as birds hunted for frozen berries and feasted at feeders while our coldest weekend of the year approached. Birds actually manage quite well on their own without human handouts, but bird feeders offer never-ending sources of entertainment, enjoyment, and education. They become center stage for kaleidoscopes of brilliant colors, insight into the ways of nature, and sometimes fast-moving drama.
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Michigan is the #1 Trail State in the nation with 2,623 miles of rail-trail conversions and thousands of miles of other linear multi-use pathways. The word “rail-trail” is coming into more common usage and is defined by the Rails-To-Trails Conservancy this way:
Continue reading“Rail-trails are multipurpose public paths created from former railroad corridors. These paths are flat or gently sloping, making them easily accessible and a great way to enjoy the outdoors. Rail-trails are ideal for many types of activities–depending on the rules established by the local community–including walking, bicycling, wheelchair use, inline skating, cross-country skiing and horseback riding.”
