Doing some birding out in the South Kettle Moraine today I came across this family of Sandhill Cranes. I enjoyed the show of two adults and one colt that is almost adult size now. Soon they will congregate in large numbers at staging areas and then migrate to wintering areas in the southern US and
Sandhill Crane colt left, Sandhill Crane adult right
A few American Mink have been hanging out near the Fox River in Waukesha. They are not seen often but putting some time in you can get lucky. They move fast along the rocks along the river stopping at their locations searching for food in and out of the water. They are amazing!
Scientific name: Neovison vison
Type: Mammal
Habitat: Forested areas along, rivers, streams and lakes with dense vegetation. They may also use habitat of swamps and wetlands.
Average life span in the wild: 1 to 3 years
Size: Adults, head and body males 23”-27” long, females 18”-22” long.
Weight: 2 to 3.5 lbs
Diet: Mainly fish, amphibians, crustaceans, small rodents and sometimes insects. Voles are one of their choice meals.
Range: Alaska, Canada and the entire US except for the Southwest.
I made the run down to Myers Park in Racine in hopes to see the Virginia Rail that was reported. I did get a glimpse of it and a doc shot. It was only out of the tall grass for a couple seconds and then disappeared. I waited for about 20 minutes for it to show again, but it never did. Other than that, other species present, a Great Blue Heron, Semipalmated Sandpipers and a Semipalmated Plover. A few Killdeer were also present. I checked North Beach in Racine and that was quiet. A few Caspian Terns were loafing on the beach with gulls. I took a few shots of the Plover and Semipalmated Sandpipers to share feeding in the early morning sun. It was a beautiful morning on the lake with calm winds and pleasant temps early. Thanks to those that reported the Virginia Rail, it was a life bird for me. Images were taken on August 13, 2015.
Semipalmated Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper with corophium volutator, what they eat.
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper with corophium volutor, what they eat.
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Semipalmated Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Semipalmated Plover feeding
Virginia Rail, behind log, doc shot with red arrow
Least Sandpiper Grant Park South Milwaukee August 21, 2015
Least Sandpiper Grant Park South Milwaukee August 21, 2015
Least Sandpiper Grant Park South Milwaukee August 21, 2015
I stopped on the way home from up north this afternoon at County V ponds to see if the Marbled Godwit that has been reported was still present. As I pulled up behind another birder in his car there, I got out and asked him. The kind birder showed me right where it was hanging out behind some vegetation, thank you! Moments later it came out and gave nice but distant views. It feed the time I was there probing in the muck. It remained far from the road but stayed pretty much out in the open. After awhile it took flight to the east, landed, but then a few minutes later I could not relocate the bird. I’m sure it was still there. A big thank you to who found this bird and reported it for others to see. It was a warm day with clouds and sun. Images were taken on August 11, 2015 in Dane County.
Binomial name: Limosa fedoa
Category: Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies
Size: 18” long, 30” wing span
Weight: 13 oz
Marbled Godwit with Lesser Yellowlegs in front
Probing for food!
Probing for food!
Probing for food!
Takeoff with Killdeer in front, Lesser Yellowlegs to the left.
After the flight around the pond, it lands!
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have been hanging around the yard this summer and the Cardinal Flower is always a favorite for them. Today I took a few pictures to share some of the excitement. This bird is a female, correct me if I am wrong. Images were taken on August 9, 2015 in Waukesha County.
Binomial name: Archilochus colubris
Category: Hummingbirds
Description: Metallic green feathers on back, grayish-white on underparts. Males have a vibrant red throat which may appear dark in poor lighting. Wings are dark gray, almost black. Long, slender bill is black in color and mostly straight with a slight curve at the tip.
Size: 2.8″-3.5″ long, 3” – 4” wingspan
Weight: 0.071 oz. – 0.21 oz.
Habitat: Broadleaf and pine forests, orchards, meadows, parks, and gardens
Diet: Tree and flower nectar, small insects, and spiders
Nesting: The female provides all parental care, building a nest in a protected tree or shrub on a slightly downward-sloping limb. They favor deciduous trees such as oak, birch, or poplar. The nest is made out of bud scales, lichen, spider silk, and dandelion or thistle down. The same nest may be used year after year with the female making annual repairs. The female will lay 1-3 eggs at a time, laying eggs once or twice per summer. The young remain in the nest for 22-25 days.
Notes: A list of just some of the of native wildflowers we have planted in our yard to attract these exquisite tiny birds are: Red Bee Balm (Monarda didyma), Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis), Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), Royal Catchfly (Silene regia), Butterfly Milkweed (Ascelpias tuberose), Hoary Vervain (Verbena stricta), Nodding Onion (Allium cernuum), Penstemon species, Echinacea species.
I made the trip up to Mayville Wisconsin with hopes to view the stunning male Rufous Hummingbird at the Herzmann’s residents. Amazingly, this is the second year for the same uncommon bird at this residents. It was banded last year, this years bird wearing the same number band. It showed about every 30-45 minutes today from about 6:30 am till 1:00 pm. It usually chased off other hummers after arriving at the feeder for nectar. This bird when finally at the feeder would typically feed for 4-5 seconds, back off a second, look around and go for more, usually 4-5 feeds. A big thank you to Liz and Matt Herzmann for allowing visitors to view this beautiful bird. I hope it hangs around for others to view. Will the bird return next year? With the nectar feeder under a tree, light was mixed and it made getting photos challenging. Images were taken on August 8, 2015.
Binomial name: Selasphorus rufus
Category: Hummingbirds
Description: Primarily rust-colored feathers with a small patch of white on the chest. Red-orange patch on throat. Short wings and a slender, slightly sloping bill.
Size: 2.8″-3.5″ long, 3” – 4” wingspan
Weight: 0.071 oz. – 0.18 oz
Habitat: Open broadleaf forests, orchards, meadows, parks, swamps, and yards
Natural Range: West Coast from Alaska to Mexico and Rocky Mountains, wintering in the Gulf Coast and Southeastern Atlantic states. They are occasionally, although rarely, found in cold-weather areas such as the Midwest due to their surprising hardiness.
Diet: Tree and flower nectar, small insects, and hummingbird feeders
Nesting: The males may mate with several females but do not care for the young. The female provides all parental care, building a nest in a protected tree or shrub. They favor either deciduous or coniferous trees such as spruce, cedar, maples, pines, birch, and hemlocks. The nest is made out of bud scales, lichen, spider silk, and dandelion or thistle down. The same nest may be used year after year and not necessarily by its previous occupant. The female will lay 2-3 eggs at a time, laying 1 brood per summer. She incubates the eggs for 15-17 days, and the young remain in the nest for 15-19 days.
Notes: This high-strung bird is considered extremely aggressive and will chase other animals from feeders or its nest including larger birds, chipmunks, and even other hummingbirds. Like other hummingbirds, Roufus Hummingbirds are adept flyers and can hover, dart, and perch with ease. They have even been seen to pluck insects out of midair.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, subadult male
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female?
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female?
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female?
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female?
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female?
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female?
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female?
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female?
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female?
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, male subadult
While birding the lakefront in Milwaukee this morning I came across a Red Fox. This is a kit from this spring and growing fast, getting closer to looking like an adult. It did some hunting in tall grass areas while I was present and it appeared it found some food. Cool to see a Red Fox out midday as I think they are seen less during the day, more very early morning and late evening, just my opinion.
Scientific name: Vulpes vulpes
Type: Mammal
Habitat: Forests, grasslands, mountains, savanna, agricultural lands and deserts. Red Foxes can also adapt to farms, suburban areas and sometimes cities.
Average life span in the wild: 2 to 4 years
Size: Head and body, 18-33.75 inches
Weight: 6.5 to 24 lbs
Diet: Fruit, vegetables, fish, frogs, rabbits, birds and rodents in the wild. If living in a human environment they may include in the diet garbage and pet food.
Range: Northern hemisphere from the arctic circle to Central American. They can also be found in Northern Africa and central Asia.
Checking out a few birding spots this morning I encountered the Red-tailed Hawk once again looking for prey and this time capturing it. The Red-tailed Hawk got a frog, chipmunk, and a very large insect while I observed from a distance. For the chipmunk, the Red-tailed Hawk sat in a tree near a fence. The chipmunk came out once and went right back into the tree trunk, knowing the hawk was present. The next time, a few minutes later the chipmunk came out the Red-tailed Hawk landed on it, spread it wings on the ground and held it down for a few minutes. The Red-tailed Hawk then flew off to a nearby tree and proceeded to have its meal. It does not always score but it had a good streak going while I was present. At one point it appeared to play with a piece of root, tossed it, pounced on it from 2 feet off the ground. Not sure what this was all about. Images were taken on July 29, 2015.
Red-tailed Hawk with frog
Red-tailed Hawk with frog
Red-tailed Hawk with frog
Red-tailed Hawk with frog
Red-tailed Hawk with frog
Red-tailed Hawk with frog
Red-tailed Hawk waiting for the chipmunk!
Red-tailed Hawk with chipmunk, poor thing!
Red-tailed Hawk with chipmunk
Red-tailed Hawk with chipmunk
Red-tailed Hawk with chipmunk
Red-tailed Hawk with chipmunk
Red-tailed Hawk with chipmunk
I observed the Red-tailed Hawk tossing around what looked like a piece of root, flying a couple feet off the ground and pouncing on it
I observed the Red-tailed Hawk tossing around what looked like a piece of root, flying a couple feet off the ground and pouncing on it
Flying up and then pouncing
flying up and pouncing
Just looking around
Flying up with root in talon and then pouncing on it
Flying up with root in talon and then pouncing on it
Just pouncing around
Just pouncing around
Not sure what this was all about, an old gopher hole, but I never see gophers here
Not sure what this was all about, an old gopher hole, but I never see gophers here
Ready to takeoff for the next event!
On a walk this morning I encountered an adult Red-tailed Hawk that was standing on and trying to hold down what I think was a snake. Though I never saw the actual snake, I could tell by the actions of the Red-tailed Hawk that is probably what it was, and the snake got away. These are a few images I took while observing from a distance. Images were taken on July 28, 2015.
Red-tailed Hawk holding down a snake
Red-tailed Hawk holding down a snake
Red-tailed Hawk holding down a snake
Red-tailed Hawk holding down a snake
Red-tailed Hawk holding down a snake
Red-tailed Hawk holding down a snake
Red-tailed Hawk
Juvenile Red-winged Blackbirds above harassing the Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Juvenile Red-winged Blackbirds above harassing the Red-tailed Hawk
I went out for some butterfly photos the last couple of days at the beautiful gardens at Frame Park in the city of Waukesha. Monarchs and Eastern Tiger Swallowtails were present. Images were taken from July 24-26.
Monarch Butterfly on Purple Coneflower
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Purple Coneflower
Monarch Butterfly on Purple Coneflower
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Purpletop Vervain, verbena bonariensis
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Purpletop Vervain, verbena bonariensis
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Purpletop Vervain, verbena bonariensis
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Purpletop Vervain, verbena bonariensi
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Purpletop Vervain, verbena bonariensi
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Purpletop Vervain, verbena bonariensi
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Purpletop Vervain, verbena bonariensi
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Purpletop Vervain, verbena bonariensi
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Purpletop Vervain, verbena bonariensi
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Purpletop Vervain, verbena bonariensi
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Purpletop Vervain, verbena bonariensi (close-up)
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Purple Coneflower
We had a nice number of members show up this morning for the annual wildflower walk and photo shoot at the Retzer Nature Center in Waukesha. This annual event is a field trip for the Retzer Camera Club. Lighting was nice early this morning with light cloud cover and very little wind for the 2.5 hour event. I think the group walked away with some great shots as it is peak blooming time for many native species at the nature center. It was a fun event for everyone in sharing some of each others photography tips and ideas. Some images to share from the event today on July 16, 2015.
Yellow Coneflower, Ratibida pinnata
Pale Purple Coneflower, Echinacea pallida
Wild Bergamot, Monarda fistulosa
Common Milkweed, Asclepias syriaca
Blue Vervain, Verbena hastata
Black-eyed Susan, Rudbecki hirta
Swamp Milkweed, Asclepias incarnata
Purple Prairie Clover, Petalostem purpureum
False Sunflower, Heliopsis helianthoides
Leadplant, Amorpha canescens
Culver’s Root, Veronicastrum virginicum
Early Goldenrod, Solidago juncea
Golden Alexanders, Zizia aurea
Prairie Coreopsis, Coreopsis palmata
Purple Prairie Clover, Petalostem purpureum
Common Milkweed, Asclepias syriaca
Leadplant, Amorpha canescens
One of the many photographers that attended the wildflower walk and photo shoot today!
Summer Blooming Wisconsin Native Wildflowers in Waukesha County on July 15, 2015.
Turk’s cap Lily, Lilium michiganense
Turk’s cap Lily, Lilium michiganense
The bud of the Turk’s cap Lily, Lilium michiganense
Prairie Dock, Silphium terebinthinaceum
Prairie Dock, Silphium terebinthinaceum
Culver’s Root, Veronicastrum virginicum
Culver’s Root, Veronicastrum virginicum
Sullivant’s Milkweed, Asclepias sullivantii
Compass Plant, Silphium laciniatum
New Jersey Tea, Ceanothus americanus
Hoary Vervain, Verbena stricta
Turk’s cap Lily, Lilium michiganense
Black-eyed Susan, Rudbecki hirta, image taken July 5, 2015
Black-eyed Susan, Rudbecki hirta, image taken July 5, 2015
I did some birding along the lakefront in Milwaukee this morning and it was very quiet. The highlight of the morning was at Lakeshore State Park where Purple Martins were checking out the one and only Purple Martin house. The Purple Martins were also defending the house from Tree Swallows and Barn Swallows while I was there. Were the Purple Martins checking it out for next spring?? I don’t know. I heard mentioned the house has never been used before by Purple Martins there at the park so it will be interesting to see if something becomes of this next spring. A few images here of the Purple Martins in flight and checking out the house at Lakeshore State Park. If I have any of the birds mislabeled please let me know, thank you. Images were taken on July 11, 2015.
Binomial name: Progne subis
Category: Swallows
Size: 8” long, 18” wing span
Weight: 2 oz
Purple Martin, adults male and female with juvenile
Purple Martin, adult male
Purple Martin, adult male
Purple Martin, adult male
Purple Martin, adults male and female with juvenile?
Purple Martin, adult female
Purple Martin, adult male
Purple Martin, juvenile
Purple Martin, adult
I had an opportunity to photograph 3 Red Fox kits in Milwaukee County, that are growing up fast. They were not out of the den long but enough to capture a few cute moments. Bruce joined me for a couple shots of the kits, it was a fun shoot while it lasted. Images were taken on July 9, 2015.
Scientific name: Vulpes vulpes
Type: Mammal
Habitat: Forests, grasslands, mountains, savanna, agricultural lands and deserts. Red Foxes can also adapt to farms, suburban areas and sometimes cities.
Average life span in the wild: 2 to 4 years
Size: Head and body, 18-33.75 inches
Weight: 6.5 to 24 lbs
Diet: Fruit, vegetables, fish, frogs, rabbits, birds and rodents in the wild. If living in a human environment they may include in the diet garbage and pet food.
Range: Northern hemisphere from the arctic circle to Central American. They can also be found in Northern Africa and central Asia.
On a recent trip to Sawyer County in Northern Wisconsin, I had the opportunity to watch and enjoy Common Loons with the chicks. I keep learning new things about these magnificent birds while a spend time watching them. Images were taken during the last week or so of June 2015.
Common Loon with a resting chick
Binomial name: Gavia immer
Category: Loons
Description: Black head with black and white checkered body in summer for breeding season; brown and white body in the winter. Blackish-blue bill that is held horizontally and black feet.
Size: 24″-40″ long, 4′ – 5′ wingspan
Weight: 4 lbs. – 8 lbs.
Habitat: Large lakes and shorelines
Diet: Fish (perch, trout, sunfish, bass, crayfish)
Nesting: Usually nests on small islands or other locations safe from land-based predators. The nest may be made out of thin sticks, dried grasses, or a depression in mud or sand. Typically 1 to 3 eggs will be laid at one time and will be incubated by both parents. The parents aggressively protect their nests and share the responsibility of feeding the young. Baby loons may be seen riding on the back of either parent in the water.
Notes: The Common Loon has legs positioned in the rear of its body. This makes for excellent diving and graceful swimming; however, it also makes for awkward landings and clumsy walking. In fact, Loons require a “runway” spanning 30 yards or 1/4 mile for take-off and landing AND it can only be done in water. Loons have actually been stranded in small ponds, icy lakes, or even a parking lot without a suitable runway and must be rescued.
Common Loon with a chick
Adult Common Loon, the young chick just resting on her back
Common Loon with 2 chicks
Common Loon
Adult Common Loon feeding the young. In my observations the female rests with the chicks off feeding time. The adult male is no where to be seen but at feeding time shows up by flying into the area and landing or just appears out of nowhere along a shoreline or moves in from along ways off in underwater swimming.
Feeding time
Adult stretching
Adult stretching
Adult stretching
Feeding time
Chick
This adult was doing the YODEL call. Moments before a different adult was calling from a distant location but could not be seen. These 2 adults layed very low in the water, almost appeared they were trying to hide but still being on alert.
Common Loon family
Adult Common Loon with a chick under the adult wing and 1 standing by. I observed 2 chicks under the wings of an adult for well over an hour and I could not see them until the came out, amazing!
The stretch
The stretch
Common Loon family feeding chicks on the back of an adult
Feeding time
Feeding time
An adult at take off time on the water, going from a long run finally taking to the air.
In this image there are 5 adult, which I think are males, but this is only a guess. I have observed adults gather for years in the early morning, then departing going their separate ways. I have also observed adults gathering, leaving the group, going to help the female feed young, then retuning to a group.
In the morning fog, Common Loon with chicks
Adult Common Loon preening
Adult Common Loon preening
Common Loon
Great Blue Heron just hanging out
American Bald Eagle
Black Bear swimming across a channel
Black Bear reaching the other shore after a long swim across the channel
White-tailed Deer, doe
White-tailed Deer, doe
A pair of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have been in the yard here since spring. I photographed this female early this afternoon in a bed of Red Bee Balm. This plant is a magnet for these birds. Images were taken on July 5, 2015.
Binomial name: Archilochus colubris
Category: Hummingbirds
Description: Metallic green feathers on back, grayish-white on underparts. Males have a vibrant red throat which may appear dark in poor lighting. Wings are dark gray, almost black. Long, slender bill is black in color and mostly straight with a slight curve at the tip.
Size: 2.8″-3.5″ long, 3” – 4” wingspan
Weight: 0.071 oz. – 0.21 oz.
Habitat: Broadleaf and pine forests, orchards, meadows, parks, and gardens
I noticed on a walk through the yard today adult House Wrens where very busy at one of the bird houses bringing in food for the young. I stopped and observed for awhile and took a few shots to share. Some of the food brought into the nest hole appeared to be such things as green caterpillars, spiders, and many moths to name a few. Although I did not see any young, they were small in size and in the house. There was also some house cleaning going on. Images were taken on June 21, 2015.
House Wren with green caterpillar
Binomial name: Troglodytes aedon
Category: Wrens
Size: 4.75” long, 6” wing span
Weight: 0.39 Oz
House Wren with spider
House Wren with caterpillar
House Wren leaving nest hole
House Wren with possible moth
House Wren
House Wren with spider
House Wren removing fecal sac from nest
House Wren removing fecal sac from nest
House Wren with moth
House Wren
House Wren arriving at the bird house with some food
House Wren arriving at the bird house with some food
House Wren with caterpillar
House Wren
House Wren
House Wren removing fecal sac from nest
House Wren with Daddy Long Legs
House Wren with a moth
House Wren with Daddy Long Legs
House Wren with a caterpillar
House Wren
House Wren
House Wren with moth
I made a stop at Whitnall Park mid-morning today to see what was going on with the warblers. It was slow for warblers with like it has been in the past, just 1 and 2 of a few species, no big fallout. I ran into Bruce and he had viewed 2 Prothonotary Warblers earlier near the big waterfall. As we spent some time waiting for things to pick up, a Prothonotary Warbler made a brief appearance near the board walk below the dam. It continually feed during it’s brief appearance and then disappeared. It was windy, cloudy and cold, but seeing a Prothonotary Warbler always makes a bird trip worth it. Other warbler species viewed today, Golden-winged, Black-throated Blue (f), Magnolia, Chestnut-sided, Black and White, American Redstart, and brief looks at a Bay-breasted. Images of the Prothonotary Warbler feeding were taken on May 12, 2015.
I stopped by Whitnall Park this morning for a couple hours. It was a cloudy day with a couple rain drops on occasion with cool temps and a little wind. A couple of the highlight warblers were brief views of a stunning golden-yellow male Prothonotary Warbler and male Bay-breasted Warbler. Some of the other warbler species present were Blackburnian, Yellow, Black-throated Blue, Black and White, Palm, Canada, Magnolia, Chestnut-sided, Northern Waterthrush, Common Yellowthroat and American Redstart. Fun couple of hours watching these warblers feed at a fast pace today. Images were taken on May 10, 2015.
Prothonotary Warbler with a bug
Prothonotary Warbler with a bug
Prothonotary Warbler looking through the leaves for bugs
Prothonotary Warbler feeding
Prothonotary Warbler going through the leaves for bugs
Prothonotary Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler calling!
Prothonotary Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler going for a bug!
Bay-breasted Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Canada Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler, female
Black-throated Blue Warbler, female
Black-throated Blue Warbler, female
Black and White Warbler with a bug!
Black and White Warbler with another bug!
Black and White Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
I made a stop at Whitnall Park mid-morning to see what the action was like. It was another day of just a couple of warblers 1’s on 2’s of a few nice species. Species hanging around were a Wilson’s Warbler, a Canada Warbler for a few minutes, and a Black-throated Blue Warbler was still around. Also brief views of a Blackburnian Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Black and White Warbler, American Redstart, Nashville Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Common Yellowthroat and Northern Waterthrush. A fun morning out with a nice group of birders on a morning of some clouds and sun with warm temps. Images were taken on May 8, 2015.
Blackburnian Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler going for a bug!
Wilson’s Warbler
Canada Warbler
Canada Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Yellow Warbler
American Redstart calling!
American Redstart
American Redstart calling!
