Giant Katydid...

It looks like a cross between a leaf and a locust, but this is in fact a katydid. I came across this large specimen at the Odon Park last month. These camouflaged creatures are common throughout Indiana in the summer and autumn months - much like the cicadas that are also abundant in this area. I love how the camouflage includes the individual veins that you would find on a leaf!

 View from above.

 Enjoying a little snack. :)

Side view. The leafy detail on the body is clearly visible.

Air Evac Lifeteam...

Candace, Riaan and I were at the Odon Park when an Air Evac Lifeteam helicopter was there last month. They were there, along with other police and fire units, to show school children the different emergency vehicles used locally. It was Riaan's first helicopter and we enjoyed watching it take-off and head on its way. It was the same type of helicopter, a Bell 206, that would often land on our front stoep at Zithulele in 2013 - and no, that's not an exaggeration! :)

 Air Evac Lifeteam helicopter parked at the Odon Park.

 A closer view of the front of the helicopter.

 Preparing to take-off.

And off it goes!

Potato Creek State Park...

On our drive home from northern Indiana we saw the sign for Potato Creek State Park, and so we decided to detour through this lovely park. We went to the Nature Centre and Riaan especially enjoyed watching the squirrels and chipmunks eating their seeds and nuts. We also enjoyed driving around Worster Lake.  

 The entrance sign at Potato Creek State Park.

 Pretty wild flowers growing along the road.

 View looking across Worster Lake.

 Trees beginning to change colour at the onset of autumn.

 Boat launch.

 Wild turkey darts into the forest.

 Nature Centre at Potato Creek State Park.

 Browsing through the various exhibits.

 Exhibit chronicling Potato Creek's history.

 Riaan having fun in the Nature Centre.

 Western fox snake.

 Nature viewing area.

 Finches at a bird feeder.

 Cute little squirrel.

 Groundhog.

 Riaan loved watching the squirrels and chipmunks.

 Antique farming equipment.

Lots of signs as we exit Potato Creek.

Rise 'n Roll Bakery...

We left Detroit and headed home on Monday morning, 3rd October. We stopped at the Rise 'n Roll Bakery, near Middlebury, for lunch. This is a famous bakery in northern Indiana that specialises in many traditional Amish delicacies. It is especially well-known for its delicious doughnuts!

 Approaching the Rise 'n Roll bakery.

 Outside the bakery.

Candace and Riaan enjoying lunch inside the bakery.

Kensington Metropark...

Candace, Riaan and I visited the Kensington Metropark on Sunday, 2nd October. Kensington Metropark is one of thirteen parks throughout the Detroit metro area - making a total of over 24,000 acres of green space. It is fantastic having all these green belt areas where people can escape the busyness of the city for a time. We enjoyed looking at the exhibits in the Nature Centre and then had a lovely brief hike through the forests. It was another great outing in Michigan!

 The Nature Centre sign.

 Sandhill crane at the Nature Centre's parking area.

 Walking along one of the pathways.

 Riaan was very excited about the deer exhibit.

 Blanding's turtle.

 Ranger the red-tailed hawk.

 Great blue heron across the lagoon.

 Great egret.

 Large catfish in the lake.

 Hiking through wetland vegetation...

 And forests.

 Pretty trail through the forest.

 Either a downy or a hairy woodpecker.

 Walking along the boardwalk.

 Heading back towards the Nature Centre.

Driving back home past beautiful lakes.

Nature shots...

Here are some photos that I took during our time in Michigan. There is plenty of beauty in this area!

 View from the front of the house. Lovely, lush forests.

A streak of red running up a tree.

Cute little chipmunk.

Interesting caterpillar.

A large cat with unique marking skulks through the undergrowth.

 Striking face.