Brides and Birds Tour

A summer of weddings continue.  Last month we celebrated a niece's wedding in steamy Louisiana.  This month we traveled to Harbor Springs in northern Michigan to attend the wedding of a nephew.  Next week a wedding in Colorado with an extended stay should provide for some good photography. 
This second wedding in Harbor Springs almost didn't happen.  The bride and groom dated while attending college in the Upper Peninsula but soon went their own ways-he as a Montana mountain man working for the state and she to Colorado to start a business.  Ten long years passed without a single communication between them until our mountain man discovered Facebook and their early love was rekindled.  Last weekend the couple flew back to Michigan and were married on the beautiful grounds of a relative.  The estate included a 1905 hotel which after having the third floor removed was complete remodeled.  The multitude of rooms and bathrooms are perfect for entertaining and the owner is happiest when the house is loaded with friends and a large crowd is roaming the grounds.

The ceremony itself was outside with beautiful weather and was a treat for everyone including several birders in attendance.  A pileated woodpecker called first from the right side of the seated audience before flying to the left side and calling repeatedly.  A noisy family group of blue jays loudly competed with the minister as he addressed the couple.  Some non-birders complained afterwards of the impolite interuptions but the birders just smiled.