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Window to Wildlife features the photography of Jim Edlhuber. A lifelong native of Wisconsin, Jim has been photographing wildlife for 20 years. He considers himself an avid photographer and is always trying to capture nature and wildlife through his lens. He is in several photography clubs and has won numerous awards for his work. In recent years, Jim has focused mostly on birding photography and finds it to be the most challenging.

Sandhill Cranes in Pewaukee in Waukesha County Wisconsin on February 22, 2026

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Birding this morning in Waukesha County I found a pair of Sandhill Cranes feeding in corn stubble along a county road. The pair of cranes appeared to be finding things to eat, flipping over, thrashing around in the old corn stalks and debris in the field. These are some early arrivals for spring, a few have been reported flying north and in fields recently. The rest are on their way yet moving north from the south. I just stayed at a distance and watched them in action. It was a cold morning with temps around 23 degrees and high wind gusts to 20-30 mph, the sun was out on and off. Images were taken on February 22, 2026.

A Sandhill Crane stretching a wing…

Finding things to eat thrashing around in the corn stubble…

Barred Owl in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on February 19, 2026

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Today’s highlight while out birding was coming across a Barred Owl perched in a tree in Milwaukee County. There was only one in the area as I looked around so a possibility is the female is in a nest hole nearby. It was a pleasant day with temps around 5o degrees with full sun and low winds. Image was taken on February 19, 2026.

The Barred Owl…

Canada Jays and Black-backed Woodpecker in Forest County Wisconsin on February 17, 2026

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Some rare species being seen in Forest County Wisconsin again gave me the idea to go and check things out up there. This location is along along Pine River Road. We arrived at sun up and 3 Canada Jays put on a great show giving great views. We only heard the Black-backed Woodpecker off in a distance and a recording was captured. Obviously I will have to try again for this awesome rare bird that has been seen only a few times in the last 5 years if that. Spence and Paul K came along for the ride and enjoyment of locating these species. It was a very cold morning starting at at 17 degrees but mid morning was warming up into the 40’s. Just a gorgeous day up there in the beautiful north woods. The Black-backed Woodpecker is Wisconsin life bird # 389. Images were taken on February 17, 2026.

The Canada Jay…

Arriving at Pine River Road early morning about 6:30 am…

Great Horned Owl on nest in Waukesha County Wisconsin on February 13, 2026

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Looking for owls this time of year I came across this Great Horned Owl on a nest. It is early in the season for nesting Great Horned Owls so we have a ways to go until we see owlets. I took a photo from far away and left the area. It was a warmer day with temps around 50 degrees around noon. Behind us a cold month with highs only in the mid 20’s for the most part. Image was taken on February 13, 2026.

Great Blue Heron at Wehr Nature Center in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on February 12, 2026

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A stop at Wehr Nature Center this cold morning of 24 degrees gave nice looks at a Great Blue Heron. The heron was sitting along the lake shore on ice catching some sun. This heron has been at Wehr most of the winter never migrating south like most of them do. Obviously finding things to eat along the creek there and other places too. The forecast is for warmer weather coming so that is a plus for this bird. It was a cold morning with temps around 20 degrees to start. Image was taken on February 12, 2026.

Rock Lake Icehenge in Lake Mills Wisconsin on February 6, 2026

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The “Icehenge” on Rock Lake has returned in 2026. This location in Lake Mills Wisconsin. The Icehenge, what an awesome piece of art and put together well by a group of local artists and strong craftsmen. This awesome piece of ICE art has been on and off over the last few years subject to weather conditions. The ice for the Icehenge was actually cut near the structure, dragged over to the site and the upper pieces muscled up on top. It was a pleasant day for trying to capture the beauty of this winter time monument. It was a fun photo op for a few minutes on a mild February day with temps starting at 20F going to a pleasant 34 degrees. Thanks Paula for the text. Images were taken on February 6, 2026.

Snowy Owl in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on January 30, 2026

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This morning one of my birding stops was going to see if the Snowy Owl was still present in Milwaukee County. It was and it has been hanging around at this location since at least January 11. Driving though I noticed a couple cars pulled over. I pulled over too and not too far off the road was the Snowy Owl. It appeared it had something on the ground by its talons. After a couple of minutes it flew into another area close by. It was in the process of eating a large vole it looked like. I never got out of my vehicle for any of these photos, just sitting in the drivers seat. It flew off and perched on a few light posts and it was a great show to watch. It was another cold morning with temps around 5 degrees with a light breeze with mixed clouds and sun. Images were taken on January 30, 2026.

Here is the morning snack… a vole…

Eastern Screech Owl, red morph in Waukesha County Wisconsin on January 29, 2026

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It was a beautiful day for Eastern Screech Owls to be sitting out in the sun. Driving some of the roads in Waukesha County and looking up produced a stunning red morph perched pretty. It was up in a pine trees catching some of those sun rays for warmth on this bitter cold day with temps of 10 degrees. Image was taken on January 29, 2026.

Eastern Screech Owl, red morph in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on January 29, 2026

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It was a bright sunny morning to be out birding in Milwaukee County. I felt it was the perfect day for Eastern Screech Owls to be sitting out in the sun. Driving the roads in the county I came across a beautiful red morph perched in a pine tree. I took a photo of it as it sat perched in the sun. It was a very cold day with bright sun, low winds with temps around 10 degrees. Image was taken on January 29, 2026.

Eastern Screech Owl in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on January 27, 2026

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It was a nice surprise to see an Eastern Screech Owl sitting in a spruce tree today while out birding. It was a very cold morning with temps around 5 degrees with mostly cloudy skies and some good wind too. Image was taken on January 27, 2026.

Just trying to catch a little sun for warmth on this cold January morning…

Snowy Owl in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on January 20, 2026

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The Snowy Owl has continued at the Milwaukee County location giving nice views. I have not been there for a few days and thought with some fresh snow on the ground I would check things out. It moved around a couple of times but ended up where it started from. All and all, fun to watch this owl but it was a very morning starting out at zero degrees with good winds out of the southwest warming up to about 15 degrees, and about 1″ of snow on the ground. Images were taken on January 20, 2026.

The beautiful Snowy Owl…

I think it was on to a vole or something as it was alert looking west but came up empty…

Cleaning the talons I would assume…

Snowy Owl in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on January 13, 2026

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A beautiful Snowy Owl gave stunning views today in Milwaukee County. This young female sat and took it easy most of the time I was present other than a few times it took to the sky and went to a new location. It was a chilly day with a lot of wind at times, seemed a lot colder than the mid 40’s with sunny skies. Images were taken on January 13, 2026.

In flight at times…

Resting peacefully…

Doing some cleaning…

A very nice interview with article on Fox6 Milwaukee 1/15/2026

Eastern Screech Owl in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on January 4, 2026

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One of my birding stops today produced nice looks of a Eastern Screech Owl in a natural nest cavity in Milwaukee County. It is that time of the year where owls are seen sitting in the hole of a natural cavity enjoying some sun on a cold day. It was a cold day with temps around 18 degrees, some sun at times. Images were taken on January 4, 2026

The Eastern Screech Owl soaking up some sun…

Purple Sandpiper at Wind Point in Racine County Wisconsin on January 2, 2026

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A Purple Sandpiper was currently being seen at Wind Point in Racine so I thought I would try for it. The Purple Sandpiper, considered a rare bird in Wisconsin as it’s normal range is the east coast of the US, but are seen here in Wisconsin just once in awhile late fall Nov-Dec. The bird was present and gave nice looks. It was not very active, it appeared to be finding things to eat when I arrive where the water meets the ice. After awhile the bird was less active and noticed it was carrying a piece of ice on it’s bottom. Hopefully that ice will come off and this bird can do what it has to in the days ahead. Thanks to the finder of this bird and getting the word out for others to see. It was a bright sunny morning with temps around 15 degrees, once a while the wind kicked in. Images were taken on January 2, 2026.

The Purple Sandpiper with nice looks…

At waters edge when I arrived…

Resting at times…

Just another look…

Wisconsin birding, the year in review 2025. Includes vagrants, special visitors or just the beautiful birds that either nest here or migrate through the state of Wisconsin.

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I have put together a collection of some of the Wisconsin birding moments from the year 2025. The collection includes vagrants, special visitors, or just the beautiful birds that nest here or migrate through the state of Wisconsin. All images were taken in 2025. It was a very exciting year with the birds and also birding with some old birding friends and meeting some new ones, too. One of the highlights of the year for me came early with finding 6 different Northern Saw-whet Owls on my own at different locations. I found them using no calls or technology of any sort, just looking in areas that fit their habitat. Finishing up this year with adding 4 more birds to my Wisconsin life list now standing at 388. New for 2025,  Wood Stork, Black-billed Magpie, Short-billed Gull and the Kelp Gull. There are a lot of owl photos to start but that was just the way it was. Thanks to everyone who helped make this happen. When putting this post together, once again, it amazes me what birds were seen this year here in Wisconsin!

The Long-eared Owl in Wisconsin 1-3-2025

Northern Saw-whet Owl #1 for the day in SE Wisconsin 1-6-2025

Northern Saw-whet Owl #2 for the day in SE Wisconsin 1-6-2025

Eastern Screech Owl in Milwaukee Co 1-9-2025

The Long-eared Owl with snow in Wisconsin 1-10-2025

Northern Saw-whet Owl in SE Wisconsin 1-20-2025

The Eastern Screech Owl perched in the pine in Milwaukee Co 1-24-2025

Eastern Screech Owl in Milwaukee Co 1-26-2025

Eastern Screech Owl, red morph in Milwaukee Co 2-11-2025

Horned Lark Paradise Valley WA in Waukesha Co 2-14-2025

Horned Lark Paradise Valley WA in Waukesha Co 2-14-2025

Northern Saw-whet Owl in SE Wisconsin 2-18-2025

Great Horned Owl sitting on eggs in Waukesha Co 2-11-2025

Great Horned Owl in the nest in Milwaukee Co 3-6-2025

Great Blue Herons in SE Wisconsin 3-7-2025

Sandhill Cranes heading north in Waukesha Co 3-9-2025

Northern Saw-whet Owl #1 for the day in SE Wisconsin 3-11-2025

Northern Saw-whet Owl #2 for the day in SE Wisconsin 3-11-2025

Sandhill Crane in Waukesha Co with some painting on the feathers 3-12-2025

Sandhill Crane in Waukesha Co 3-12-2025

Eastern Bluebird, male in SE Wisconsin 3-12-2025

Eastern Bluebird, female in SE Wisconsin 3-12-2025

Eastern Bluebird, male making a soft landing in SE Wisconsin 3-12-2025

Great Horned Owl owlets (2) on the nest in SE Wisconsin 3-18-2025

Great Horned Owl owlets (2) on the nest in Milwaukee Co Wisconsin 3-29-2025

Killdeer in Milwaukee Co 4-3-2025

Killdeer preening in Milwaukee Co 4-3-2025

Great Horned Owl owlets in Milwaukee Co 4-4-2025

Common Grackle, FOY in Waukesha Co 4-6-2025

Eared Grebe at Lake Park on the Milwaukee Lakefront 4-11-2025

Killdeer on the nest in Waukesha Co 4-14-2025

Wilson’s Snipe at Pennsylvania Avenue at Oak Creek in Milwaukee Co 4-16-2025

Willets (3) at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Co 4-27-2025

Willet at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Co 4-27-2025

Great Horned Owl, owlet in Milwaukee Co 4-28-2025

Canada Goose gosling at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Co 4-29-2025

White-eyed Vireo at Scout Lake in Greendale Wisconsin 5-2-2025

White-eyed Vireo at Scout Lake in Greendale Wisconsin 5-2-2025

Townsend’s Solitaire in Wauwatosa in Milwaukee Co 5-3-2025

Blue-gray Gnatcatchers building a nest in Waukesha Co 5-6-2025

The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher with lichen in the bill working it into the started nest 5-6-2025

American Avocet at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee Co 5-7-2025

American Avocets 5 of them at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee Co 5-7-2025

Killdeer chick just out of the nest in Waukesha Co 5-7-202

Yellow-rumped Warbler, male in Milwaukee Co 5-13th-15th-2025

Black-and-white Warbler, male in Milwaukee Co 5-13th-15th-2025

Black-throated Blue Warbler, male in Milwaukee Co 5-13th-15th-2025

Blackburnian Warbler, male in Milwaukee Co 5-13th-15th-2025

Northern Parula, male in Milwaukee Co 5-13th-15th-2025

Palm Warbler in Milwaukee Co 5-13th-15th-2025

Cape May Warbler, male in Milwaukee Co 5-13th-15th-2025

Blackpoll Warbler, male in Milwaukee Co 5-13th-15th-2025

Bay-breasted Warbler, male in Milwaukee Co 5-13th-15th-2025

Magnolia Warbler, male in Milwaukee Co 5-13th-15th-2025

Golden-winged Warbler, male in Milwaukee Co 5-13th-15th-2025

Tennessee Warbler, male in Milwaukee Co 5-13th-15th-2025

Prothonotary Warbler, male in Milwaukee Co 5-13th-15th-2025

Philadelphia Vireo at Lake Park in Milwaukee Co 5-14-2025

Rose-breasted Grosbeak, male at Lake Park in Milwaukee Co 5-13-2025

Rose-breasted Grosbeak, female at Lake Park in Milwaukee Co 5-13-2025

Baltimore Oriole, female at Lake Park in Milwaukee Co 5-14-2025

Franklin’s Gull at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee Co 5-17-2025

Scarlet Tanager at Lake Park in Milwaukee County 5-17-2025

Eastern Kingbird at Lake Park in Milwaukee County 5-17-2025

Eastern Kingbird at Lake Park in Milwaukee County 5-17-2025

Wild Turkey eggs in the nest in Marquette Co Wisconsin 5-19-2025

Wild Turkey eggs in the nest in Marquette Co Wisconsin 5-19-2025

Yellow-billed Cuckoo at the Milwaukee County Grounds in Milwaukee Co 5-22-2025

Snow Goose at Veterans Park in Milwaukee Co 5-22-2025

Ruddy Turnstone at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Co 5-23-2025

Ruddy Turnstone at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Co 5-23-2025

Black-billed Cuckoo at the Milwaukee County Grounds in Milwaukee Co 5-26-2025

Barred Owl in Marquette County Wisconsin 5-27-2025

The Great Horned Owl in Waukesha Co 5-29-2025

Northern Flicker at a natural nest cavity in Waukesha Co 6-1-2025

Bobolink, male at Retzer Nature Center in Waukesha Co 6-5- 2025

Bobolink, female at Retzer Nature Center in Waukesha Co 6-5- 2025

The 3 Red-shouldered Hawk chicks in Waukesha Co 6-6-2025

This is one of the two Red-shouldered Hawk adults flying up high over the area near the nest calling in Waukesha Co 6-6-2025

Both the Kelp and American Herring Gull producing a hybrid chick on the nest…the chick is looking at us in Milwaukee Co 6-14-2025

Kelp Gull flying near the nest on Jones Island in Milwaukee Co 6-14-2025

Great Blue Herons at a rookery with many nests in southeast Wisconsin 6-10-2025

Common Loons, an adult showing the chicks how to crawl up onto the bog in Sawyer Co 6-27-2025

Great Egret at Horicon Marsh in Dodge Co 7-1-2025

Black Tern at Horicon Marsh in Dodge Co 7-1-2025

Black Tern at Horicon Marsh in Dodge Co 7-1-2025

Black-necked Stilt, adult at Horicon Marsh in Dodge Co 7-1-2025

Black-necked Stilt chicks at Horicon Marsh in Dodge Co 7-1-2025

Black-necked Stilt chick at Horicon Marsh in Dodge Co 7-1-2025

Black-necked Stilt chick adult in flight at Horicon Marsh in Dodge Co 7-1-2025

Yellow-headed Blackbird, female at Horicon Marsh in Dodge Co 7-1-2025

Least Bittern at Horicon Marsh in Dodge Co 7-1-2025

Ruddy Duck, male at Greenfield Park Milwaukee Co 7-3-2025

Northern Flickers feeding nestlings in a natural nest cavity in Waukesha Co 7-5-2025

Northern Flickers feeding nestlings in a natural nest cavity in Waukesha Co 7-5-2025

Black-crowned Night-Herons at Humboldt Park Milwaukee Co 7-13-2025

Great Egret at Echo Park in Burlington in Racine Co 7-20-2025

Great Egret at Echo Park in Burlington in Racine Co 7-20-2025

Sandhill Cranes near Muskego in Waukesha Co 7-20-2025

Common Grackle with the crayfish at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Co 7-22-2025

Common Grackle with the crayfish part feeding young at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Co 7-22-2025

Piping Plover at Lake Michigan on the Milwaukee lakefront 7-28-2025

Piping Plover at Lake Michigan on the Milwaukee lakefront 7-28-2025

Short-billed Gull at Whitefish Dunes State Park in Door Co Wisconsin 7-30-2025

Short-billed Gull stretching at Whitefish Dunes State Park in Door Co Wisconsin 7-30-2025

Laughing Gull at Whitefish Dunes State Park in Door Co Wisconsin 7-30-2025

American White Pelican at the pebble beach at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Co 7-31-2025

American White Pelican on the lagoon at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Co 7-31-2025

Green Heron at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Co 8-5-2025

Great Egrets at Wilson Park in Milwaukee Co 8-7-2025

Wood Stork at Mud Lake State Wildlife Area in Dodge Co Wisconsin 8-11-2025

Wood Stork at Mud Lake State Wildlife Area in Dodge Co Wisconsin 8-11-2025

Wood Stork preening at Mud Lake State Wildlife Area in Dodge Co Wisconsin 8-11-2025

Eastern Kingbird in Waukesha Co 8-20-2025

Great Blue Heron catching a frog at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Co 8-21-2025

Ruddy Turnstone at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Co 8-29-2025

Semipalmated Sandpiper at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Co 8-29-2025

Semipalmated Plover at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Co 8-29-2025

Ruddy Turnstone flipping over a piece of something looking for things to eat at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Co 8-29-2025

Red-necked Phalarope at McKinley Marina in Milwaukee Co 9-1-2025

American Golden-Plover at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Co 9- 2-2025

Green Heron at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee Co 9-2-2025

8 Sanderlings Sanderlings at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee Co 9-9-2025

Sanderling, something in the bill at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee Co 9-9-2025

Black-crowned Night-Heron, juvenile at Humboldt Park Milwaukee Co

Black-billed Magpie at the Superior Landfill in Douglas County Wisconsin 9-12-2025

Yellow-rumped Warblers eating Cedar Berries in the South Kettle Moraine in Waukesha Co 10-5-2025

Yellow-rumped Warblers eating Cedar Berries in the South Kettle Moraine in Waukesha Co 10-5-2025

Wood Duck, male in Milwaukee Co 10-8-2025

Wood Duck, young male in Milwaukee Co 10-8-2025

American Bittern at Humboldt Park in Milwaukee County Wisconsin 10-20-2025

American Bittern at Humboldt Park in Milwaukee County Wisconsin 10-20-2025

Snow Bunting at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Co 10-29-2025

Snow Bunting with a seed in the bill at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Co on 10-29-2025

Blue Jay in Marquette Co 11-4-2025

Eastern Screech Owl in Milwaukee Co on 12-4-2025

Sandhill Cranes, an adult left, colt right Delafield in Waukesha Co on 12-7-2025

Sandhill Crane in Delafield in Waukesha Co on 12-7-2025

Long-eared Owl in Wisconsin on 12-8-2025

Dark-eyed Junco, Oregon type at Grant Park in Milwaukee Co on 12-11-2025

Dark-eyed Junco, Oregon type at Grant Park in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on December 11, 2025

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One of my birding stops today along the Milwaukee lakefront provided nice views of a male Dark-eyed Junco, Oregon type at Grant Park. The most common variety in the western North America is called the “Oregon” Junco. In the midwest we typically see the Common Dark-eyed Junco. This location was near a bird feeder at the park and it was stopping and getting things to eat there. It was a mostly sunny day with cold temps around 20 degrees with light winds out of the northeast. Images were taken on December 11, 2025.