Welcome Froggies! Kensington Metropark, located in Milford Michigan is by far in my mind, the best of the nature areas in all of Southeast Michigan. It is part of the Huron-Clinton Metroparks system. It is not part of the state partk system. So the state park passport doesn't work for them; but it is definitely worth getting the year pass for the HC Metroparks.

At Kensington Metropark you can put in a good 6-8 mile nature walk on the trails and will readily see Sandhill Cranes (the largest of cranes), Great Blue Heron at the heron rookery and birds will readily take seed right from your outstretched hand. Sandhill Cranes will walk right by you on the trails. Wild turkey can often be seen as well not far from the trails. You can enjoy water fowl in the lake / marshy areas among the trail system as well. It is not uncommon to see a mute swan tending to the eggs on her nest there near the heron rookery. All his adds up to more opportunities to photo wildlife in one spot than are found anywhere in southeast Michigan. I have also enjoyed time kayak fishing there on Kent Lake as well. The park is large and offers a whole variety of activities depending on your interests including: mountain biking, road biking if you're preparing for the Tour de France, beach going, sailboating, golfing and much more. . . I pretty much stick to hiking and kayak fishing. I'll pass on the golfing and leave that to you.

I enjoyed the many adventures there. I hope you enjoy the photos I took on those adventures as shared here. Moreover, I hope that they inspire you to adventure to (if not Kensington Metropark) to a nature area or trail system near you with your camera in hand!

From 7-20-2013: