Marvin Phelps stood at attention in front of his bathroom mirror, meticulously adjusting his navy blue tie. The crisp Windsor knot nestled perfectly against the collar of his freshly starched white shirt. He smoothed an errant eyebrow hair and gave a curt nod of approval to his reflection. “Another day, another battle,” he muttered. From the bedroom, his wife Tessa’s voice drifted in. “Marv, honey? Don’t forget we have dinner with the Hendersons tonight.” ...
The shutter clicked rapidly as Mara Thorne captured frame after frame of the elusive Kirtland’s warbler. Her breath caught in her throat as she watched the small gray and yellow bird flit between the jack pines, its melodious song echoing through the forest. After three days of patient waiting in her camouflaged blind, she had finally spotted the endangered species. Mara lowered her camera, allowing herself a small smile of satisfaction. It had been years since a Kirtland’s warbler had been documented in this part of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Her photographs could aid critical conservation efforts for the species. ...