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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.

Birds in Marquette County Wisconsin May 10, 2023

A small collection of some bird photos I captured in Marquette County the last few days leading up to May 10, 2023. Normal birds that can be expected for that area. The highlight was walking by an apple tree and seeing a Ruby-throated Hummingbird getting some nectar. 1st of the year on that species. Other birds that I had either seen or heard that I did not get photos of were Whip-poor-will, Great Crested Flycatcher, Bluebirds, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Hairy Woodpecker and Eastern Phoebe. Some clouds and some sun with mild temps in the 60’s-70’s.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird getting nectar at an apple tree…

Baltimore Oriole, male singing…

Yellow-rumped Warbler, male…

White-crowned Sparrow…

Brown Thrasher…

Downy Woodpecker, male…

Baltimore Oriole, male…

White-throated Sparrow…

Eastern Towhee, male…

Tree Swallow…

Downy Woodpecker, female…

Chipping Sparrow…

House Wren singing…

Red-headed Woodpecker…

White-crowned Sparrow…

Northern Cardinal, male…

Willets at South Shore Park in Bayview Wisconsin on April 30, 2023

With all the excitement at Sheridan Park with the Flame-colored Tanager there was also something going on nearby at South Shore Park in Bayview. 3 Willets were present getting things to eat and I’m sure also a rest stop in their trip flying north to their breeding grounds. Always nice to see this species around the 1st of May. It was a dark cloudy day and stiff winds off the lake from the east with temps around 38 degrees. Images were taken on April 30, 2023.

Two of the Willets walking along the beach finding things to eat…

Finding something here to eat…

That leg…

Getting something here…

Flame-colored Tanager at Sheridan Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on April 30, 2023

After reading some reports late Saturday night of Western Tanager reported that was misidentified and now was considered a Flame-colored Tanager sounded very exciting. From what I heard this species had only been reported a couple times in the south western US, Arizona and Texas so it is so very far out of it’s normal range. This bird lives in Mexico. The location was Sheridan Park so getting down there at sun up seemed like the thing to do. Could it still be there the next day? It was! After walking the bluff at the park with a few other birder for 1 1/2 hours the female bird was re-found.  It gave nice views eating gnats along the bluff in trees looking down. What a big event! Life bird 373 for my Wisconsin list! It was a dark cloudy day and stiff winds off the lake from the east, temps around 38 degrees. Images were taken on April 30, 2023.

Hopping around in Sumac just below the bluff eating gnats…

The bird was always looking for the next gnat…

Looking up for a gnat…

Just before leaving the branch for a gnat…

Back view…

Ross’s Goose at Veterans Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on April 20, 2023

One of my birding stops today provided nice views of a Ross’s Goose in one of the fields at Veterans Park. It was hanging with about 15 Canada Geese feeding on the lawn area. I did not come across any other birds to note at my morning stops, just normal species we see this time of year. It was a nice morning out with some sun, low winds and mild temps around 45 degrees. Images were taken on April 20, 2023

The Ross’s Goose…

Feeding on some grass…

Piece of grass in the bill…

Northern Mockingbird at Grant Park in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on April 18, 2023

A Northern Mockingbird was reported at Grant Park yesterday April 17th. I decided to make the trip down there today to see if it was still present, it was. It put on a nice show moving around the beach picnic area and then on to the river outlet area, all in short grass. It was always looking and listening for food as it moved around the short grass areas. At one time it pulled out a night crawler just like an American Robin would and ate it. It tossed the worm around some killing it and then down it went. What a beautiful bird along with the day it was with temps around 50 degrees and full sun. A little wind at times, then it was cold. Images were taken on April 18, 2023.

The beautiful Northern Mockingbird…

Looking and listening for something to eat…

It pulls a night crawler out of the ground…

Looks like it got the whole night crawler…

Takes a short break after all that pulling, looks pretty tasty…

Does some stabbing to settle it down…

The bird then spends sometime tossing it around making sure it is maybe dead or edible…

Night crawler in mid-air…

More of the same…

And more of the same…

Starting to take it in…

Going down…

Almost down…

A shot in the tree, as it moved around, sometimes into trees…

Eastern Screech Owl, Gray Morph in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on March 27, 2023

One of my birding stops today provided nice views of an Eastern Screech Owl, gray morph. It was resting, its eyes were closed for the most part in a tree cavity. I only hung around for a moment. It was a sunny day with mild temps around 45 degrees, a pleasant morning to be out birding. Images were taken on March 27, 2023.

The Eastern Screech Owl just soaking up some sun…

Blends in so well…

Precious…

Great Blue Herons at a rookery in southeast Wisconsin on March 24, 2023

With birding still slow I stopped at a rookery that I have not been to for a few years to see if the Great Blue Herons had returned. Yes they did with about 10 birds and about 9 active nests. The birds were just standing on nests when I arrived at a distance. I did not see any repair work on the nests being done yet or herons bringing in branches to fix things up for the new season. Who knows when they arrived back, maybe it was just yesterday. I took a few photos and left as I did not want to disturb them as I’m sure they had things to do. They say a winter storm is coming! It was a beautiful sunny day with mild temps around 40, low winds. Images were taken on March 24, 2023.

This Great Blue Heron was coming in to perch…

still coming in…

Great Blue Heron just sitting on the nest….no other action while I was present…

Perched high…

Another Great Blue Heron just sitting on the nest…

Perched above the nest…

Perched pretty…

Great Horned Owl owlets in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on March 21, 2023

A Great Horned Owl nest in Milwaukee County is starting to show signs of life. The nest is holding 2 owlets as the mother keeps her eye on the nest from a long distance. It was a nice day with some sun, lows winds and temps in the 40’s. Images were taken on March 21, 2023.

First one owlet appears…

Then a second…

Great Horned Owl owlet in Waukesha County Wisconsin on March 20, 2023

My last birding stop of the day was to check on an old nest off a highway in Waukesha County. This nest was not used last year. Present was an adult Great Horned Owl which flew from the nest before I got a photo off and an owlet which of course stayed in the nest. This nest is very far off the highway so the photo is a distant shot. I hung around a while with hopes the adult would return with some food but even though it was warmer today, the wind made if feel still like winter, I did not hang around. Temps around 43 degrees, steady winds from the west, mostly sunny skies. Image was taken on March 20, 2023.

The Great Horned Owl, owlet on the nest waiting…

 

Killdeer on the Milwaukee lakefront in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on March 8, 2023

One on my birding stops this morning provided nice looks at a pair of Killdeer. They were mating or called the a cloacal kiss and finding a few things to eat too. I have one photo of the two birds mating. It was a nice morning with some filtered sun, low winds and mild temps around 35 degrees. Images were taken on March 8, 2023.

The Killdeer…

Mating…

Walking around in the grass finding a few things to eat…

Sandhill Cranes painting themselves at Delafield in Waukesha County Wisconsin on March 5, 2023

I saw another amazing birding event today in Delafield in Waukesha County. Sandhill Cranes painting themselves by preening mud on and into their feathers. They are known to do this to change their colors to blend in more with their surroundings at nesting time. It is said that iron oxide in the mud is a form of dye, they also said they turn gray again after they molt before migrating in the fall, makes perfect sense. Totally amazing to watch so I had to share some of this excitement with others. After painting, they walked to a nearby puddle and found a couple of things to eat. It was a nice sunny day with no wind and mild temps around 35. Images were taken on March 5, 2023.

The Sandhill Cranes paintbrush…

The artists…

As I watched from a safe distance both Sandhill Cranes painted away…

Once in awhile they would dip their brushes into the little standing water/mud next to them for more mud for painting…

Getting the job done…

Talk about a natural piece of art…

More painting…

And more painting…

Trying to do the complete job…

They finished…and walked to a nearby puddle…

Poking in the mud, they find things to eat…

Something in the bill…

 

 

Sandhill Cranes in Waukesha County Wisconsin on February 28, 2023

I did a little birding in Waukesha County this morning and saw 5 Sandhill Cranes. Locations of the Sandhill Cranes were Brookfield and South Kettle Moraine. Two were in a marsh far off the road and 3 were closer at two other locations and I took a couple of photos. The birds seemed to be finding things to eat at all locations. A nice sunny morning out with no wind and temps around 32 degrees. Images were taken on February 28, 2023.

On the prairie in the South Kettle Moraine…

In a snowy area but still finding things to eat…

Bill just out of the mud...

Bill just out of the mud…

The Sandhill Crane calling…

Finding things to eat…

Bill just out of the mud finding things to eat…

Redhead Ducks on the Fox River in Waukesha County Wisconsin on February 26, 2023

A stop at the Fox River in Waukesha provided nice views of a pair of Redhead Ducks. The male and female centrally located themselves in the middle of the river with pedestrian traffic and dog walkers but it was nice to see a new species of duck there. A few times they found a few things to eat to diving. A beautiful morning with plenty of sunshine, no wind and pleasant temps around 32 degrees early. Images were taken on February 26, 2023.

The pair of Redhead Ducks, male left, female on the right…

The male…

The female…

Just another shot…

Wood Duck at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on February 20, 2023

One of my birding stops today was Greenfield Park. Not much has been going on there but I saw a flock of Mallards land in on a little open water so I thought I would take a closer look. One beautiful looking male Wood Duck was in the flock swimming around with the Mallards. The Wood Duck seemed to be hanging with a female Mallard. Starting to look like a few birds are coming north. Also  I had nice looks at a Red-winged Blackbird. It was cloudy, no wind, nice temps around 43 degrees. Images were taken on February 20, 2023.

The Wood Duck, male…

The Wood Duck hanging with the female Mallard…

 

Mandarin Duck at South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee Wisconsin on February 10, 2023

Word was out that the Mandarin Duck that was seen last December and early January had returned to South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee this morning. If it is the same duck, probably is, it was hiding somewhere else for about the last month. Anyways it put on a nice show this morning and followed a female Mallard around while I was there. It will be interesting if it hangs around. This bird is not a wild bird and considered an escapee, still fun to see. It was a sunny morning but very cold with a good wind out of the north early morning. Images were taken on February 10, 2023.

The Mandarin Duck…

Up on shore for a moment…

In the wave…

Mute Swan on the Fox River at Frame Park in Waukesha on January 15, 2023

One of my birding stops today gave nice views of a Mute Swan at Frame Park on the Fox River in Waukesha. The Mute Swan fed the whole time I was present except for a minute when it did a little preening. The river was fully open with no ice when I was there around 9:00 am. Also present were a handful of Common Goldeneye and of course Mallards along with roughly 200 Canada Geese. A little sun in the morning but started to haze over with mild temps around 32 degrees, low winds. Images were taken on January 15, 2023.

The Mute Swan, just hanging out on the river getting things to eat…

Going down for something to eat…

Just out of the water…

Preening…

 

Trumpeter Swans at the Bark River Trail in Waukesha County on January 9, 2023

One of my birding stops today provided nice looks at 2 Trumpeter Swans at the Bark River Trail in Waukesha County. The Trumpeters fed the whole time I was present. It was stirring the water with their feet, diving and eating what they stirred up. A few Mallards were present always trying to get in by them for that food. It was a pleasant morning with temps around 26 degrees for the start of January and a nice sunny day to go along with that, low winds. Images were taken on January 9, 2023.

One of two Trumpeter Swans present…

Stirring up the river bottom getting food…

Down for food…

Just up from under water…

Feeding, this was typical…

More stirring the river bottom for food…

Going down for feeding…

Wisconsin birding, the year in review 2022. Includes vagrants, special visitors or just the beautiful birds that either nest here or migrate through the state of Wisconsin.

I have put together a collection of some of the Wisconsin birding moments from the year 2022. 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 2022. It was a very exciting year with the birds and also birding with some old birding friends and meeting some new ones, too. Finishing up this year with adding 7 more birds to my Wisconsin life list now standing at 371.  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!

Purple Sandpiper at McKinley Beach Milwaukee County January 1, 2022

Purple Sandpiper at McKinley Beach Milwaukee County January 1, 2022

Common Redpoll at the Fox River in Waukesha County January 3, 2022

Common Redpoll eating Alder cone seeds at the Fox River in Waukesha County January 3, 2022

Common Redpoll with a Alder cone seed at the Fox River in Waukesha County January 3, 2022

Snowy Owl at the Lake Express Ferry Milwaukee January 4, 2022

Green-winged Teal, male at the Fox River in Waukesha January 9, 2022

Green-winged Teal, male at the Fox River in Waukesha January 9, 2022

Green-winged Teal with a Mallard, female at the Fox River in Waukesha January 9, 2022

Purple Sandpiper, one of two at this location, McKinley Marina Milwaukee County January 17, 2022

Purple Sandpiper, one of two at this location, McKinley Marina Milwaukee County January 17, 2022

Eastern Screech Owl, red and gray morph in Milwaukee County January 21, 2022

White-winged Crossbill, female at Stute Springs in Waukesha County January 25, 2022

White-winged Crossbill, male at Stute Springs in Waukesha County January 25, 2022

Long-eared Owl, a new location, this location is not where other Long-eared Owls have been photographed, reported, or roosting in the state January 31, 2022

Pileated Woodpecker, male at Minooka Park in Waukesha County February 8, 2022

Pileated Woodpecker, female at Minooka Park in Waukesha County February 8, 2022

Ross’s Goose at South Shore Park in Milwaukee County February 19, 2022

Ross’s Goose at South Shore Park in Milwaukee County February 19, 2022

Barred Owl in Milwaukee County February 21, 2022

Great Horned Owl in Milwaukee County on February 25, 2022

Barred Owl in Milwaukee County February 26, 2022

Horned Lark at Oconomowoc in Waukesha County  February 27, 2022

Horned Lark at Oconomowoc in Waukesha County  February 27, 2022

The pair of Sandhill Cranes in Waukesha County March 5, 2022

Sandhill Crane preening in Waukesha County March 5, 2022

Common Goldeneye, male stretching at the Fox River in Waukesha March 8, 2022

Lesser Scaup, male at the Fox River in Waukesha March 8, 2022

Redhead, male at the Fox River in Waukesha March 8, 2022

Redhead, female at the Fox River in Waukesha March 8, 2022

Ring-necked Ducks, males at the Fox River in Waukesha March 8, 2022

Common Goldeneye, male 1st winter at the Fox River in Waukesha March 8, 2022

American Coot at the Fox River in Waukesha March 8, 2022

Wood Duck, male in Milwaukee County April 14, 2022

Wood Duck, male in Milwaukee County April 14, 2022

Wood Duck, female in Milwaukee County April 14, 2022

Wood Duck, female in Milwaukee County April 14, 2022

Yellow-throated Warbler, this rarity at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County April 21, 2022

Loggerhead Shrike, it was a rainy day, Milwaukee County April 22, 2022

Summer Tanager, immature male eating gnats at Warnimont Park Milwaukee County April 26, 2022

Summer Tanager, immature male at Warnimont Park Milwaukee County April 26, 2022

Summer Tanager, immature male at Warnimont Park Milwaukee County April 26, 2022

Black-throated Green, male atWarnimont Park Milwaukee County April 26, 2022

Yellow Warbler, male at Warnimont Park Milwaukee County April 26, 2022

Palm Warbler, male at Warnimont Park Milwaukee County April 26, 2022

Tennessee, male at Warnimont Park Milwaukee County April 26, 2022

Yellow-rumped, male at Warnimont Park Milwaukee County April 26, 2022

Nashville, male at Warnimont Park Milwaukee County April 26, 2022

Black and White, male at Warnimont Park Milwaukee County April 26, 2022

Hooded Warbler, male at Warnimont Park Milwaukee County April 26, 2022

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, male at Shoop Park Racine April 27, 2022

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher with a Stink Bug Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, male at Shoop Park Racine April 27, 2022

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, male at Shoop Park Racine April 27, 2022

Ash-throated Flycatcher, this rarity at Wind Point Racine April 27, 2022

Willet at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County on April 29, 2022

Willet at McKinley Beach, something in the bill, Milwaukee County on April 29, 2022

Willets at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County on April 29, 2022

Say’s Phoebe at Forest Home Cemetery in Milwaukee County May 2, 2022

Blackburnian Warbler, male at Wehr Nature Center Milwaukee County May 10, 2022

Blackpoll Warbler, male at Wehr Nature Center Milwaukee County May 10, 2022

Bay-breasted Warbler, male at Wehr Nature Center Milwaukee County May 10, 2022

Canada Warbler, male at Wehr Nature Center Milwaukee County May 10, 2022

Magnolia Warbler, male at Wehr Nature Center Milwaukee County May 10, 2022

Prothonotary Warbler, male at Wehr Nature Center Milwaukee County May 10, 2022

Magnolia Warbler, singing male at Wehr Nature Center Milwaukee County May 10, 2022

American Redstart, male at Wehr Nature Center Milwaukee County May 10, 2022

Wilson’s Warbler, male at Wehr Nature Center Milwaukee County May 10, 2022

Philadelphia Vireo at Wehr Nature Center Milwaukee County May 10, 2022

Mourning Warbler, male at Wehr Nature Center Milwaukee County May 10, 2022

Common Yellowthroat, male at Wehr Nature Center Milwaukee County May 10, 2022

Chestnut-sided Warbler, female at Wehr Nature Center Milwaukee County May 10, 2022

Chestnut-sided Warbler, male at Wehr Nature Center Milwaukee County May 10, 2022

Connecticut Warbler, male at Lake Park Milwaukee County May 13, 2022

Fulvous Whistling Duck at Hog Island Dane County May 16, 2022

Fulvous Whistling Duck at Hog Island Dane County May 16, 2022

Lark Bunting, male at Lake Express Ferry Milwaukee County May 23, 2022

Bobolink, male at Retzer Nature Center Waukesha County May 31, 2022

Bobolink, female at Retzer Nature Center Waukesha County May 31, 2022

Cassin’s Kingbird, this rare bird in the rain in Marathon County June 6, 2022

Black-headed Gull, this rare bird at the South Side Municipal Beach in Sheboygan June 13, 2022

Brown Booby, super rare bird on the Black River in La Crosse August 11, 2022

Black-crowned Night-Heron, adult at Humboldt Park Milwaukee County August 16, 2022

Black-crowned Night-Heron, juvenile at Humboldt Park Milwaukee County August 16, 2022

Green Heron, juvenile at Greenfield Park Milwaukee County August 30, 2022

The Common Nighthawk at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County August 16, 2022

Great Egret at Echo Veterans Memorial Park in Burlington August 26, 2022

Great Egret at Echo Veterans Memorial Park in Burlington August 26, 2022

Great Egrets at Echo Veterans Memorial Park in Burlington August 26, 2022

Osprey at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County August 28, 2022

Great Blue Heron, juvenile at Greenfield Park Milwaukee County September 9, 2022

Great Blue Heron, juvenile at Greenfield Park Milwaukee County September 9, 2022

Great Blue Heron, juvenile at Greenfield Park Milwaukee County September 9, 2022

Lapland Longspur at Lakeshore State Park Milwaukee County September 27, 2022

American White Pelican, juvenile at Lakeshore State Park Milwaukee County September 27, 2022

American White Pelican, juvenile at Lakeshore State Park Milwaukee County September 27, 2022

Wood Duck, male in Milwaukee County October 4, 2022

Wood Duck, male in Milwaukee County October 4, 2022

Wood Duck, female in Milwaukee County October 4, 2022

Hooded Merganser in Milwaukee County November 14, 2022

Eastern Screech Owl, red morph in Milwaukee County November 16, 2022

Long-eared Owl in Wisconsin November 21, 2022

Red-headed Woodpecker in Marquette County December 12, 2022

Great Horned Owls in Waukesha County December 22, 2022

Mandarin Duck at South Shore Yacht Club Milwaukee Wisconsin December 29, 2022

Mandarin Duck at South Shore Yacht Club Milwaukee County December 29, 2022

Barred Owl Milwaukee County December 30, 2022