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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.

Cattle Egret at the Waukesha Fox River Parkway South May 13, 2014

Cattle Egret at the Fox River Parkway South in Waukesha County Wisconsin. With heavy rains last night water is just about everywhere in the county. The low area at the park that holds water in wet times of the year was a great place for this species to spend some time to rest and hopefully find some food. The Cattle Egret originated in Africa, appeared in  North America in 1953 and spread across the entire continent. Thanks to all birders who got the word out about the presence of the Cattle Egret, an uncommon visitor to this part of the state. A few distant images taken there today in the late afternoon May 13, 2014.

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Cattle Egret

Binomial name: Bubulcus ibis

Category: Bitterns, Herons, and Allies

Description: White plumage with cream-colored feathers on its chest, head, and tail during breeding season.  Yellow bill and gray legs.

Size: 18”-22” long, 35” – 38” wingspan

Weight: 9.5 oz. – 18 oz.

Habitat: Pastures, grasslands, meadows, and wetlands

Diet: Insects (grasshoppers and crickets), spiders, amphibians, and worms

Nesting: Cattle Egrets nest in colonies, typically near a body of water.  Both males and females build the nest; males collect twigs and sticks while the female assembles them into jumbled pile in a tree or shrub.  It is common for these birds to steal nest materials from others.  The female will lay 1 to 5 eggs and raise 1 brood each season.  Both parents incubate the eggs.  Chicks are born with down feathers but are still helpless.  The fledglings leave the nest after about 45 days.

Notes: Cattle Egrets are appropriately named as they tend to forage for food near cattle or other large, grazing animals.  They eat insects and other vertebrates spread by these animals.  The birds have also been known to forage behind farm machinery.  Farmers may welcome these birds to their pastures as Cattle Egrets will help control fly and tick populations among cattle.

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Cattle Egret - Fond dc lac County WI May 13, 2013

Cattle Egret – Fond du lac County WI. May 13, 2013

Cattle Egret - Fond dc lac County WI May 13, 2013

Cattle Egret – Fond du lac County WI. May 13, 2013

Cattle Egret - Fond dc lac County WI May 13, 2013

Cattle Egret – Fond du lac County WI. May 13, 2013

Cattle Egrets - Fond dc lac County WI May 13, 2013

Cattle Egrets – Fond du lac County WI. May 13, 2013

Cattle Egret - Fond dc lac County WI May 13, 2013

Cattle Egret – Fond du lac County WI. May 13, 2013

Prothonotary Warbler at the Wehr Nature Center in Franklin Wisconsin May 11, 2014

I did some birding at Wehr Nature Center today in hopes to do well on Warblers. A couple of years ago this place did very well and I thought I would give it a shot. The stream area was really birdie when I arrived around 11:00 am. Warbler species present were Wilson’s, Chestnut-sided, Canada, American Redstart, Yellow-rumped, Yellow, and Common Yellowthroat. After about 30 minutes a warbler appeared and the striking color on this bird shocked me! I knew it was not a warbler that I had ever saw before. It did not take me but a few seconds to realize it was a Prothonotary Warbler with that bright golden-yellow head. The way the bird foraged along the stream bank waters edge feeding almost off the top of the water from branch to branch confirmed my ID thoughts. It left the area I was at and returned 3 more times in the 2 hours I was there. It was an exciting time getting this uncommon visitor to this part of the state finally on my life list!

Prothonotary Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler – Male

Prothonotary Warbler

Binomial name: Protonotaria citrea

Category: Wood-Warblers

Size: 5.5” long, 8.5” wingspan

Weight: 0.56 oz.

Habitat: Breed in wooded swamps, lake or pond edges, woody streams and wooded river bottoms. Breeding habitat range is the southern US from east Texas to the east coast, north in southern Wisconsin. This species winters in parts of West Indies, Central and South America.

Diet: Forages along low vegetation, dead wood and stumps on rivers, streams, swamps, lakes and ponds. They feed on insects, snails, butterflies, moths, flies, beetles, mayflies and spiders annually found on logs, branches, tree trunks and on the ground. After the breeding season they have been also known to eat seed, fruit and nectar.

Nesting: The male locates at least one cavity in a tree, sometimes digging their own in a tree 3 to 10 feet from the ground, but most often woodpecker holes are used. They can be found over water. Nest boxes are also used along with and artificial cavities such as cans, jars, pipes, etc. The male puts moss inside the nest cavities and the female finishes the foundation construction with materials of more moss and liverwort. While finishing the nest construction the male protects the female. The nest cup is constructed of grape plants, rootlets, plant down and some of the materials it is lined with are grasses, sedges, leaves bark material, tendrils and sometimes even fishing line has been used. Size of the nest cup is approximately 2” wide. Typically 3-7 whitish brown spotted eggs are laid and both adults tend to feed the young after incubation of 12 days by the female.

Cool facts: On occasion the Prothonotary Warbler will visit hummingbird feeders for nectar. The male will set up fake nest holes and display in front of them, this is not fully understood.

Prothonotary Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler – Male

Prothonotary Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler – Male

Prothonotary Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler – Male

Prothonotary Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler – Male

Prothonotary Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler – Male

Prothonotary Warbler with insect.

Prothonotary Warbler – Male with insect.

Prothonotary Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler – Male

Prothonotary Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler – Male

Prothonotary Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler – Male

Prothonotary Warbler looking for food.

Prothonotary Warbler – Male, looking for food.

Prothonotary Warbler looking for food.

Prothonotary Warbler – Male, looking for food.

Prothonotary Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler – Male

Prothonotary Warbler looking for food.

Prothonotary Warbler – Male, looking for food.

Prothonotary Warbler looking for food.

Prothonotary Warbler – Male, looking for food.

Canada Warbler

Canada Warbler – Male

Chestnut-sided Warbler - Male

Chestnut-sided Warbler – Male

Chestnut-sided Warbler - Male

Chestnut-sided Warbler – Male

Chestnut-sided Warbler - Male

Chestnut-sided Warbler – Male

Chestnut-sided Warbler - Male

Chestnut-sided Warbler – Male

Wilson's Warbler - Male

Wilson’s Warbler – Male

Wilson's Warbler - Male

Wilson’s Warbler – Male

Wilson's Warbler - Male

Wilson’s Warbler – Male

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Warblers and more at Lake Park Milwaukee Wisconsin, May 10, 2014

I spent a few hours at Lake Park in Milwaukee this morning into mid-afternoon. I saw some nice warbler action but nothing like a couple of days ago. Warbler species and numbers were down, but still a great day to be out birding. Some of the warblers that I had looks at were Black-throated Green, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Palm, Nashville, Blackburnian, Cape May and possible Tennessee. Birds seemed higher up today in the trees. The nice sunny day with warm temps brought out a lot of birders there at the park.

Black-throated Green Warbler - Male

Black-throated Green Warbler – Male

Black-throated Green Warbler - Male Preening

Black-throated Green Warbler – Male Preening

Black-throated Green Warbler - Male Preening

Black-throated Green Warbler – Male Preening

Black-throated Green Warbler

Black-throated Green Warbler – Male

Black-throated Green Warbler

Black-throated Green Warbler – Male

Black-throated Green Warbler - Male eating well.

Black-throated Green Warbler – Male eating well.

American Redstart

American Redstart – Male

Common Yellowthroat - Female

Common Yellowthroat – Female

Common Yellowthroat - Female

Common Yellowthroat – Female

Common Yellowthroat - Female with insect.

Common Yellowthroat – Female with insect.

Common Yellowthroat - Female with insect.

Common Yellowthroat – Female with insect.

Palm Warbler

Palm Warbler

Orange-crowned Warbler ??

Tennessee Warbler ??

Cape May Warbler

Cape May Warbler

Ovenbird

Ovenbird

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Warblers and more at Lake Park Milwaukee Wisconsin, May 8, 2014

I birded Lake Park in Milwaukee this morning into mid-afternoon. I saw some great warbler action with 16 warblers species and 73 total species for the day. Some of the FOY warblers were Wilson’s, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Black-throated Green, Blue-winged, Northern Parula,  Bay-breasted, and American Redstarts. Some of the other highlights from the day, Indigo Bunting, Scarlet Tanager, Baltimore Oriole, Eastern Bluebirds, Red-headed Woodpeckers, Eastern Towhee and Gray Catbirds. Interesting to see a Ruby-throated Hummingbird within 50 feet of a Dark-eyed Junco. It was a very cold morning with strong NE winds and mostly cloudy but early gave way to some sun and warmer temps that were expected.

Common Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroat going for the gnat!

Common Yellowthroat going for the gnat!

Common Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroat

Least Flycatcher

Least Flycatcher

Least Flycatcher

Least Flycatcher looking for the next snack!

Least Flycatcher looking for the next snack!

Least Flycatcher looking for the next snack!

Least Flycatcher in flight!

Least Flycatcher in flight!

Least Flycatcher

Least Flycatcher

Chestnut-sided

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Chestnut-sided

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Ovenbird

Ovenbird

Magnolia Warbler

Magnolia Warbler

Eastern Towhee - Female

Eastern Towhee – Female

Eastern Towhee - Female

Eastern Towhee – Female

Eastern Towhee - Female

Eastern Towhee – Female

Eastern Towhee - Male

Eastern Towhee – Male

Black-and-white Warbler

Black-and-white Warbler

Black-and-white Warbler

Black-and-white Warbler

Gray Catbird with insect in bill.

Gray Catbird with gnat in bill.

Gray Catbird with insect.

Gray Catbird with gnat in bill.

Gray Catbird

Gray Catbird

Gray Catbird

Gray Catbird

Gray Catbird

Gray Catbird

Clay-colored Sparrow

Clay-colored Sparrow

Clay-colored Sparrow

Clay-colored Sparrow

Lincoln's Sparrow

Lincoln’s Sparrow

Lincoln's Sparrow

Lincoln’s Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

American Robin

American Robin

White-throated Sparrow

I recently did some birding at the Fox River Parkway South in Waukesha Wisconsin. There where numerous White-throated Sparrows present with nice views. A flock of approximately 6-12 birds at different times moved around the woods while I was there. The sparrows scratched the ground finding seeds to eat that have worked their way under leaves and surface ground cover over the winter. Photographs taken on April 29, 2014.

White-throated Sparrow - adult white and black striped variation

White-throated Sparrow – adult white and black striped variation.

White-throated Sparrow

Binomial name: Zonotrichia albicollis

Category: Sparrows

Size: 6.75” long, 9” wing span

Weight: 0.91 Oz.

Habitat: Woods, forest edges, pond edges and tree lines in brushy under growth. Breeding range is the far northern areas of the Midwest states in the US and the lower two-thirds of Canada. The winter range for this species is Southern US from New Mexico through northern IN to the east coast of the US.

Diet: Mainly seeds from grasses and weeds, sometimes fruits seeds.

Nesting: The nest is constructed by the female usually and on the ground, it is cup shaped. The location is usually under a bush, shrub or dead vegetation but concealed by leaves. Materials used are mosses, sticks, pine needles, and grasses. 1-6 eggs pale green and spotted are laid and incubated from 10-14 days, 1-2 broods.

Cool Facts: There are two forms of this sparrow. One is the white and black striped head, the other tan and black striped head regardless of sex. Young birds and females are just duller in color. They both variations have the white colored throat. A frequent visitor to the backyard feeder in migration to some parts of the US.

White-throated Sparrow - adult white and black striped variation.

White-throated Sparrow – adult white and black striped variation with seed in mouth.

White-throated Sparrow - adult tan and black striped variation.

White-throated Sparrow – adult tan and black striped variation.

White-throated Sparrow - adult white and black striped variation - back view.

White-throated Sparrow – adult white and black striped variation – back view.

White-throated Sparrow - adult white and black striped variation.

White-throated Sparrow – adult white and black striped variation with seed in mouth.

White-throated Sparrow - adult tan and black striped variation.

White-throated Sparrow – adult tan and black striped variation.

White-throated Sparrow - adult white and black striped variation, scratching for seeds.

White-throated Sparrow – adult white and black striped variation, scratching for seeds.

White-throated Sparrow - adult white and black striped variation.

White-throated Sparrow – adult white and black striped variation.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglets were in abundance at the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha, Wisconsin.  It was a 1st for me to be able to see and photograph the striking raised scarlet crown on the Ruby-crowned Kinglet. It only lasted for about 10 seconds. Small insects were thick in the trees hanging over the river and the Ruby-crowned Kinglets just continually moved from tree to tree picking them off. I think the river water temp and the humidity there allows for continued hatching of these insects, probably gnats. It seems typically if these birds are not resting, they are looking for or flying to their next food. Some of the other species present were Yellow, Black-and white, and Yellow-rumped Warblers along with Brown Creepers and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. Images were taken on April 30, 2014.

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Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Binomial name: Regulus calendula

Category: Kinglets

Size: 4.25” long, 7.5” wing span

Weight: 0.23 Oz.

Habitat: Breeding habitat is spruce, tamarack, and fir trees found in dense conifer forests. During migration they can be found in deciduous trees, bushes, and thickets found in parks, woodlands and along rivers and shores of lakes. Breeding range is northern US, Canada and Alaska.

Diet: Typically they hover in and around twigs and leaves fly catching small insects. Their diet also includes spiders, bark beetles and eggs that are usually found on and around twigs and leaves. Winter they will eat berry parts, sap and seeds.

Nesting: The female picks the location and builds the nest in a period of about 5 days. The location of the nest can be as high as 100 feet off the ground, usually hidden with overhanging foliage and found near the interior of the tree. A globe shape nest is constructed of spider-webs and cocoon silk wrapped around feathers, grasses and mosses. The inside is lined with fir and fine plant material. These materials allow the nest to increase in size as the brood grows and continued maintenance is required. Up to 12 eggs are laid in the nest for 1 brood.

Cool Facts: The male displays the striking scarlet crown when aroused. One of the smallest birds in the US is easily identified by the distinct white eyering and constant wing flickering that they do. Young males look similar to females as they lack the scarlet crown.

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Image taken on April 16, 2014 at the Fox River Sanctuary – male – flying to the insect.

Image taken on April 16, 2014 at the Fox River Sanctuary - male

Image taken on April 16, 2014 at the Fox River Sanctuary – male – looking for food.

Image taken on April 16, 2014 at the Fox River Sanctuary - male

Image taken on April 16, 2014 at the Fox River Sanctuary – male – looking for food.

Image taken on April 16, 2014 at the Fox River Sanctuary - male

Image taken on April 16, 2014 at the Fox River Sanctuary – male – looking for food.

Image taken on April 16, 2014 at the Fox River Sanctuary - male

Image taken on April 16, 2014 at the Fox River Sanctuary – male – getting the insect.

Image taken on April 16, 2014 at the Fox River Sanctuary - male - flying for the food.

Image taken on April 16, 2014 at the Fox River Sanctuary – male – flying for the insect.

Garganey

Garganey at the Crex Meadows Wildlife Area in Grantsburg, Wisconsin on May 1, 2014. The male Garganey will be a 1st state record for this species in the state pending acceptance. The normal range for this species is quite large covering much of Eurasia in breeding season and winters in southern Africa and Asia. Within a couple of minutes after arriving at Crex about 7:00am the bird was located near to where it has been reported over 1 week ago. That location was south and east of the intersection of County Road F and Abel Road. A couple of hours later we relocated the duck just north of that spot in the Erickson Flowage with more distant views. At that time it was very active for awhile as it moved around to numerous spots on the flowage. The duck has been hanging out with Blue-winged Teal. It was a cloudy and cold day with steady winds making it feel like winter. Still some snow on the ground in a couple of places. A new life bird!

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Garganey

Binomial name: Anas querquedula

Category: Duck, Geese, and Swans

Size: 15.5” long, 24” wing span

Weight: 13 Oz.

Habitat: Common breeding habitat for this species is small shallow ponds and lakes with floating vegetation like in swamps, fields of water and freshwater marshes.

Diet: Wide range of plant seeds, pondweeds, grasses, as well some insects by skimming the water.

Nesting: The nests are in a shallow depression underneath tall plant material usually less than 100 feet from waters edge.

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Garganey – male on left with 3 Blue-winged Teal on right

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Garganey – male upright preening on right side with 2 Blue-winged Teal with heads under water.

Garganey - male - in front, Blue-winged Teal in back

Garganey – male – in front, Blue-winged Teal in back

Garganey - male, right

Garganey – male, right

Garganey - male back, Blue-winged Teal - male front

Garganey – male back, Blue-winged Teal – male front

Trumpeter Swan

Trumpeter Swan -Crex Meadows

Trumpeter Swan Crex Meadows

Trumpeter Swan Crex Meadows

Worm-eating Warbler

A Worm-eating Warbler was present at Fox River Parkway South in Waukesha Wisconsin on April 29, 2014. This gloomy morning gave way to some decent views and nice action of the bird searching and finding food on the forest floor. I viewed the bird twice at about 6:30 a.m. and then again 10:30 a.m. Other birders were fortunate to see this uncommon visitor to this part of the state that is viewed by only a few birders each year. I hope it hangs around for awhile yet for others to enjoy too! Other highlights were Nashville, Pine and Yellow-rumped Warblers and a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Photographs were taken on April 29-30th, 2014.

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Worm-eating Warbler

Binomial name: Helmitheros vermivora

Category: Wood-Warblers

Size: 5.25” long, 8.5” wingspan

Weight: .46 oz.

Habitat: Breeds in deciduous forests sometimes mixed with conifers on steep hillsides with a dense understory. Winters in mature tropical forests found in Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Diet: Spends a lot of its time near or on the ground. It searches through leaf litter and low vegetation and uses it long narrow bill to access the food it prefers, which is small larvae of moths (worms), spiders, slugs, and arthropods.

Nesting: The cup sized nest is located on the ground near the truck of a deciduous tree, often on a slope near water. The nest is constructed of leaf parts and lined with moss and grass material. Usually 3-6 white to pinkish eggs are laid in the nest. The female incubates the eggs and stays tight on it. Young usually leave the nest within 10 days unable to fly but they survive. When intruders like chipmunks, squirrels and other small animals approach the nest, it sometimes waits until contact is made to be flushed from the nest as it blends in well with the forest floor. If that happens the female leaves the immediate nest area with distracting motions.

Cool Facts: Song of the Worm-eating Warbler is similar to that of the Chipping Sparrow but shorter in length. Plumage of both sexes are similar.

Looking for larvae (worms)

Looking for larvae (worms)

Looking for larvae (worms)

Looking for larvae (worms)

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With spider in bill!

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Looking for larvae (worms)

Looking for larvae (worms)

Looking for larvae (worms), leg holding leaf

Looking for larvae (worms), leg holding leaf

Looking for larvae (worms), leg holding leaf

Looking for larvae (worms), leg holding leaf

Looking for larvae (worms), leg holding leaf

Looking for larvae (worms), leg holding leaf

Looking for larvae (worms), leg holding leaf

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Searching for and finding food.

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Looking for food

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Searching for food.

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Just finished eating something!

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Caspian Tern

I birded the Milwaukee lakefront this morning for a short period of time. The highlight was Caspian Terns. There were a small amount present on Bradford Beach sitting with many Ring-billed Gulls. There were also a small group of them fishing for food over at McKinley Marina. 5 Black-crowned Night-Herons were on the east side of the Veterans Park Lagoon, and recent ducks that have been reported are still present. I observed many large flocks of Double-crested Cormorants flying north far out over the water, and some flocks very high up over the shoreline. Beautiful morning to be out with lots of sunshine, but the steady northeast winds made it almost feel like winter. Photographs were taken on April 26, 2014 on the  lakefront in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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Caspian Tern

Binomial name: Sterna caspia

Category: Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers

Size: 21” long, 50” wing span

Weight: 1.4 lbs.

Habitat: Main breeding habitats are large lakes, ocean coasts, river and barrier islands and marsh in salt water in the Northwestern US and scattered places though out Canada.

Diet: Mainly fish but have been known to also eat large insects and crayfish.

Nesting: They typically nest in colonies. The nest is nothing more than a shallow scrape on the ground made of shell parts, dried plant material and pebbles located in sand or gravel. The rim of the nest may also be topped off with sticks. 1-3 buff eggs are laid which both sexes incubate and they also both care for the young.

Cool Facts: Largest tern in the world. Caspian Terns winter in parts of the southern US and Mexico, some are permanent residents on the California coast. This species flies over the water searching for food. When they locate their food, they plunge straight down into the water to get it. Sometimes they remain under the water for seconds, looks as if they have disappeared. Then they just take flight right out from under the water, pretty amazing!

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Fish in mouth!

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Hunting for food.

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Ring-billed Gull chasing the Caspian Tern

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Caspian Tern - Racine North Beach April 30, 2013

Caspian Tern – Racine North Beach April 30, 2013

Caspian Tern - Racine North Beach April 30, 2013

Caspian Terns – Racine North Beach April 30, 2013

Caspian Tern - Racine North Beach April 30, 2013

Caspian Terns – Racine North Beach April 30, 2013

Caspian Tern with a Forster's Tern (right front) - Racine North Beach April 30, 2013

Caspian Terns with a Forster’s Tern (right front) – Racine North Beach April 30, 2013

Forster's Tern - Horicon Marsh May 5, 2010

Forster’s Tern – Horicon Marsh May 5, 2010

Forster's Tern - Horicon Marsh May 5, 2010

Forster’s Tern – Horicon Marsh May 5, 2010

Bloodroot

One of the first wildflowers to bloom here in the midwest. Photographs were taken April 20-22, 2014._rbrIMG_1240_cr

Bloodroot

Scientific name: Sanguinaria canadensis

North America plant status: Native

Duration: Perennial

Habitat: Partial shade to shade in medium to moist soil.

Blooming time: April-May

Bloom color: White

Plant height: 6”-7”

Cool facts: The Indians used the red juice from the stem as a dye for war paint, baskets and clothing. It was also known to be used as an insect repellent. This early bloomer is a great early nectar source for hummingbirds and bees.

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Downy Woodpecker

I stopped for a short time today at the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha Wisconsin to do some birding. I watched a pair of Downy Woodpeckers excavating a nest hole in a dead tree. First I observed the male working at the nest hole and then the female took over for a while. They really put some time into doing this between breaks. Yellow-rumped Warblers were in large numbers late morning, but then that slowed early afternoon. A couple of Palm Warblers made a brief appearance and a handful of Cedar Waxwings hung around feeding on a few berries that made it through the winter.  Images were taken on April 23, 2014.

Pair of Downy Woodpeckers - the male (r), female (l) looking at the nest hole.

Pair of Downy Woodpeckers – the male (r), female (l) looking at the nest hole.

Downy Woodpecker

Binomial name: Picoides pubescens

Category: Woodpeckers and Allies

Size: 6.75” long, 12” wing span

Weight: 0.95 oz.

Habitat:  Breeds in open woodlands, parks, backyards, vacant lots, orchards mostly in deciduous trees. Their breeding range is from Alaska east through central Canada and all of the US except the Southwest.

Diet: Insects are their main diet, but they also eat berries and seeds. They are a frequent visitor to backyard bird feeders for suet and black sunflower seeds. The Downy has also been seen drinking from hummingbird feeders.

Nesting:  Both adults share the work of excavating a nest hole in a dead tree or limb. It takes the pair 1-3 weeks and the cavity is 6”-12” deep and is usually 1.5” or less across at the bottom. The bottom is lined with only wood chips where usually 3-8 eggs are laid.

Cool Facts: The Downy Woodpecker is typically a permanent resident to an area. They look very much like a Hairy Woodpecker but smaller and their bill is short and stubby where the Hairy bill is long. Adult males have a red patch on the back of their head. Woodpeckers do not sing, they just drum on wood to get the same effect. People think their drumming has to do with food, but they are actually very quiet eaters. The Downy is the most common woodpecker in backyards in North America. These woodpeckers and can peck up to 1200 times per minute while excavating a tree nest hole.

Downy Woodpecker working on the excavation.

Downy Woodpecker – female, working on the excavation.

Downy Woodpecker - male, working on the excavation.

Downy Woodpecker – male, working on the excavation.

Downy Woodpecker - working on the excavation.

Downy Woodpecker – male, working on the excavation.

Downy Woodpecker - male, working on the excavation.

Downy Woodpecker – male, working on the excavation.

 

Downy Woodpecker - just checking out another hole.

Downy Woodpecker – female, just checking out another hole.

Downy Woodpecker - female, just checking out another hole.

Downy Woodpecker – female, just checking out another hole.

Downy Woodpecker - female

Downy Woodpecker – female

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Birding at the Fox River Sanctuary yesterday in Waukesha Wisconsin I came across a couple Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. These birds were present along with many Yellow-rumped Warlbers that were there coming through. They continued to move through the trees and brush searching and getting insects for food. Image taken April 22, 2014.

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher April 22, 2014

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher April 22, 2014

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Binomial name: Polioptila caerulea

Category: Gnatcatchers and Gnatwrens

Size: 4.5” long, 6” wing span

Weight: 0.21 oz.

Habitat:  Breeds habitat is from Southern Ontario to the southwestern US and Mexico in open deciduous woodlands and thickets along stream banks.

Diet: The Blue-gray Gnatcatchers main diet while forging in trees and shrubs are small insects and sometimes spiders. These birds can be seen hovering over plant and tree foliage, flushing insects. The bobbing tail also helps in the flushing of insects.

Nesting:  The cup-shaped nest can be found at any height and is constructed of plant down, spider webbing, covered with lichen flakes. The nest usually holds 3-6 pale blue eggs. Both feed the young after hatching.

Cool Facts: This bird resembles a small Northern Mockingbird.

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher May 13, 2013

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher May 13, 2013

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher May 13, 2013

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher May 13, 2013

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher May 13, 2013

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher May 13, 2013

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher May 15, 2012

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher May 15, 2012

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher May 31, 2011 Vernon Marsh

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher May 31, 2011 Vernon Marsh

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher May 31, 2011 Vernon Marsh

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher May 31, 2011 Vernon Marsh

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher May 31, 2011 Vernon Marsh

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher May 31, 2011 Vernon Marsh

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher May 31, 2011 Vernon Marsh

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher May 31, 2011 Vernon Marsh

Black-and-white Warbler

I birded for a short time this afternoon at the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha Wisconsin. Looking up, the trees were loaded with Yellow-rumped Warblers. I saw one Black-and-white Warbler in the mass of Yellow-rumps and just for a moment.  A breezy day with temps about 50, the sun made for a very pleasant day. Images were taken on April 22, 2014. After the first 4 images are some Black-and-white Warbler images taken back on May 13, 2011 at Wehr Nature Center.

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Black-and-white Warbler

Binomial name: Mniotilta varia

Category: Wood-Warblers

Size: 5.25” long, 8.25” wingspan

Weight: .37 oz.

Habitat: Moist mixed deciduous-conifer forests or woodlots.

Diet: Mostly insects, while forging like a nuthatch along limbs and trunks of a tree. Some other items in their diet are ants, flies, spiders, leaf hoppers, wood-borers and weevils.

Nesting: Usually the cup shaped nest is on the ground, hidden near a stump, fallen log, base of tree, or under leaves or limbs with 4-5 eggs. Some of the materials used to build the nest are, horse hair, leaves, moss and grasses.

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Black-and-white Warbler at Wehr Nature Center May 13, 2011

Black-and-white Warbler at Wehr Nature Center May 13, 2011

Black-and-white Warbler at Wehr Nature Center May 13, 2011

Black-and-white Warbler at Wehr Nature Center May 13, 2011

Black-and-white Warbler at Wehr Nature Center May 13, 2011

Black-and-white Warbler at Wehr Nature Center May 13, 2011

Black-and-white Warbler at Wehr Nature Center May 13, 2011

Black-and-white Warbler at Wehr Nature Center May 13, 2011

Black-and-white Warbler at Wehr Nature Center May 13, 2011

Black-and-white Warbler at Wehr Nature Center May 13, 2011

Black-and-white Warbler at Wehr Nature Center May 13, 2011

Black-and-white Warbler at Wehr Nature Center May 13, 2011

Black-and-white Warbler at Wehr Nature Center May 13, 2011

Black-and-white Warbler at Wehr Nature Center May 13, 2011

Hermit Thrush

I did some birding late morning at the Scuppernong Springs Nature Trails in South Kettle Moraine in Waukesha Co. Wisconsin. I did get some nice views of the Hermit Thrush, Yellow-rumped Warbler and Ruby-crowned Kinglets. Some of the other bird species present were the Brown Creeper, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Sandhill Cranes and Turkey Vultures. There was some sun today but the steady winds made it feel like a cold day. Images taken on April 16, 2014.

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Hermit Thrush

Binomial name: Catharus guttatus

Category: Thrushes

Size: 6.75” long, 11.5” wing span

Weight: 1.1 oz.

Habitat:  Breeds across parts of the western US, upper Great Lakes region, Northeastern US, Canada and Alaska. They use a variety of habitats such as coniferous or mixed hardwoods. They can sometimes be found in open areas such as edges of ponds, along trails, mountain glades or open areas of fallen trees. They winter in southern US, east and west coasts down to most parts of Mexico.

Diet: Main diet is insects in spring-summer changing to more fruit sometimes berries in winter. On occasion they will eat small reptiles and amphibians. Hermit Thrushes forage on the forest floors scraping through leaves or sometimes in trees hopping around for their food.

Nesting:  The nest is cup shaped 4-6 inches across on the ground or in low vegetation, sometimes under a small conifer or shrub. The female constructs the nest of materials such as wood parts, mud and lichen, pine needles, grass and leaves. The nest is lined with willow catkins and fine plant parts. Construction of the nest takes 7-10 days, typically 4 eggs are laid. The male finds and brings the food to the female who then feeds the young.

Cool Facts: The Hermit Thrush stands and acts similar to an American Robin, but is smaller in size.

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Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet catching its food!

Ruby-crowned Kinglet catching its food!

Ruby-crowned Kinglet in flight!

Ruby-crowned Kinglet in flight!

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet at take off!

Ruby-crowned Kinglet at take off!

Ruby-crowned Kinglet at take off!

Ruby-crowned Kinglet at take off!

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler back view

Yellow-rumped Warbler back view

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler going for the bug!

Yellow-rumped Warbler going for the bug!

Yellow-rumped Warbler going for the bug!

Yellow-rumped Warbler going for the bug!

Surf Scoter

While birding Milwaukee’s Lakefront this morning I located the Surf Scoter that had been recently reported. It was just north of the South Shore Yacht Club. The Red-necked Grebe was also still present that had been reported but it was out near the breakwall. It was a gloomy morning and started to rain shortly after I arrived. I hung around long enough to get a few photographs. Photographs taken on April 12, 2014.

Surf Scoter - adult male

Surf Scoter – adult male

Surf Scoter

Binomial name: Melanitta perpicillata

Category: Ducks, Geese and Swans

Size: 20” long, 30” wing span

Weight: 2.1 lb.

Habitat:  Breeds across Alaska through northern Canada on freshwater lakes and wetlands in the Arctic that have minimal forests. They winter on both coasts of the US.

Diet: Main diet is mollusks but also consumes crustaceans, aquatic insects, small fish and plant matter. Typically dives water less than 30 feet deep.

Nesting:  The nest is a depression in the ground located near rivers, lakes or near the sea. They are usually well hidden in dense brush or low branches. Usually 5-9 creamy-white eggs are laid in the nest lined with vegetation parts and down. As soon as the young are dry, they leave the nest and the female leads them to food rich areas. Young can feed themselves at that time.

Cool Facts: Has the nickname “skunk-head coot”.

Surf Scoter - adult male

Surf Scoter – adult male

Surf Scoter - stretching adult male

Surf Scoter – stretching adult male

Surf Scoter - stretching adult male

Surf Scoter – stretching adult male

Surf Scoter - adult male with Greater Scaup - adult male

Surf Scoter – adult male with Greater Scaup – adult male

Surf Scoter - adult male

Surf Scoter – adult male

Red-necked Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Yellow-rumped Warblers at the Waukesha Fox River Sanctuary April 8, 2014.

I spent a short time down at the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha today and observed my 1st Yellow-rumped Warblers of the season. There were 3 present and they were hopping around in the trees eating what appeared to be small insects. I also enjoyed watching 2 different Black-capped Chickadees and 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker excavating nest cavities in dead trees while I was there. The sun felt nice, but it was chilly when it clouded over with the steady breeze.

Yellow-rumped Warbler April 8, 2014

Yellow-rumped Warbler April 8, 2014

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Binomial name: Setophaga coronata

Category: Wood-Warblers

Size: 5.50” long, 9.25” wingspan

Weight: .43 oz.

Habitat: Open coniferous and mixed coniferous-deciduous woodlands and edges.

Diet: Insects are their main diet, but depend on berries when insects are not available.

Nesting: The small shallow cup nest is built on a horizontal branch of a tree any where from 4’to50’ from the ground. The nest is constructed of grass, twigs, rootlets, with a inter lining of feathers with plant fluff that drapes over the edge of the top of the nest and partially covers the eggs. Female sits on 3-6 eggs that are white and incubates them for about 12-13 days.

Notes: The Yellow-rumped Warbler is known for one of the earliest warblers to arrive in spring and one of the last to leave in fall.

Yellow-rumped Warbler April 8, 2014

Yellow-rumped Warbler April 8, 2014

Black-capped Chickadee excavating a nest hole in a dead tree.

Black-capped Chickadee excavating a nest hole in a dead tree.

Black-capped Chickadee excavating a nest hole in a dead tree.

Black-capped Chickadee excavating a nest hole in a dead tree.

Black-capped Chickadee excavating a nest hole in a dead tree.

Black-capped Chickadee excavating a nest hole in a dead tree.

Black-capped Chickadee excavating a nest hole in a dead tree.

Black-capped Chickadee excavating a nest hole in a dead tree.

Red-bellied Woodpecker excavating a nest hole in a dead tree.

Red-bellied Woodpecker excavating a nest hole in a dead tree.

Just looking around!

Just looking around!

Just looking around!

Just looking around!

Yellow-rumped Warbler - image taken in SE Wisconsin pre-2014

Yellow-rumped Warbler – image taken in SE Wisconsin pre-2014

Yellow-rumped Warbler - image taken in SE Wisconsin pre-2014

Yellow-rumped Warbler – image taken in SE Wisconsin pre-2014

Yellow-rumped Warbler - image taken in SE Wisconsin pre-2014

Yellow-rumped Warbler – image taken in SE Wisconsin pre-2014

Yellow-rumped Warbler - image taken in SE Wisconsin pre-2014

Yellow-rumped Warbler – image taken in SE Wisconsin pre-2014

Yellow-rumped Warbler - image taken in SE Wisconsin pre-2014

Yellow-rumped Warbler – image taken in SE Wisconsin pre-2014

Yellow-rumped Warbler - image taken in SE Wisconsin pre-2014

Yellow-rumped Warbler – image taken in SE Wisconsin pre-2014

Pied-billed Grebe

Pied-billed Grebes on the Fox River in downtown Waukesha Wisconsin. Pied-billed Grebes have been present for at least a month now, along with the Horned Grebes which have been around for the last couple of weeks. One of the highlights today was watching a Pied-billed eat a Sunfish that appeared to be bigger than the head of the grebe, but surprisingly it did get it down. Sometimes they can be seen along the river edges or pier areas hunting for prey. They are also just in the middle of the river when bikers and walkers are in higher numbers along the river walk. Some duck species still hanging around on the river there were Common Goldeneye, Redhead, Red-breasted Mergansers, Scaups, Ring-necked, Bufflehead and American Coots. It was a beautiful morning on the river with low winds, the warm sun and above freezing temps. I have also included a few Horned Grebe images from today’s event. Photographs were taken on April 5, 2014.

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Pied-billed Grebe

Binomial name: Podilymbus podiceps

Category: Grebes

Size: 13” long, 16” wing span

Weight: 1 lb.

Habitat:  Breeds across North America in ponds and lakes that are seasonal or permanent. On those waters it prefers thick stands of emergent vegetation, sloughs and bays. If waters are frozen the will go to salt water.

Diet: Diving for fish, occasional plant material, crustaceans (mainly crayfish), and aquatic insects. Their feathers are also part of their diet along with giving them to their young. Feathers help in digestion to prevent damage by bones.

Nesting:  The nest is open bowl shaped made of vegetation, typically floats and is anchored by emergent vegetation. The female lays 3-10 light blue eggs, sometimes twice a year that both parents help incubate. The young are feed by both parents and are typically carried around on the adult backs.

Cool Facts: Small bird, stocky, short necked that dives up to 30 seconds at a time. They are known to dive for food with young on their back. Adults have a black ring around their chicken like bill during breeding season. A shy, not sociable bird that is sensitive to disturbances, are rarely found in flocks.

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Back view of the Pied-billed Grebe just after taking down the fish.

Back view of the Pied-billed Grebe just after taking down the fish. You can see the upper neck is slightly larger than the head of the grebe.

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Pied-billed Grebe, just resting

Pied-billed Grebe, just resting

Horned Grebe

Horned Grebe

Horned Grebe

Horned Grebe

Horned Grebes at take off!

Horned Grebes at take off!

Horned Grebe back view

Horned Grebe back view

Horned Grebe

Horned Grebe April 5, 2014

Horned Grebe

Horned Grebe April 5, 2014

Pied-billed Grebe, adult Horicon Marsh, August 1, 2010

Pied-billed Grebe, adult Horicon Marsh, August 1, 2010

 

Baird’s Sandpiper

Baird’s Sandpiper photographed in Jefferson County, Wisconsin. This appears to be the earliest recorded date for a Baird’s Sandpiper to arrive in Wisconsin.  There were 3 Baird’s Sandpipers at this location in a field just north of Hwy 106 on Mehring Road. I also tried 3 times in the last 24 hours to locate the Franklin’s Gull reported Northwest of Palmyra on Hwy 106 with no luck. Less than ideal shooting conditions due to shooting into the light at a long distance. Image taken on April 2, 2014.

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Horned Grebe

The Fox River in downtown Waukesha Wisconsin has been pretty exciting with duck species the last couple of weeks and now Grebe species are showing up too. A striking Horned Grebe did some diving for food and gave some nice views this morning. A couple of Pied-billed Grebes gave distant views while I was there too. Duck species present today were Common Goldeneye (m-f), Red-breasted Mergansers (f), Scaups, Ring-necked (m-f) Bufflehead and American Coots. A sunny day, but the wind made for a cold one. Photographs taken on March 29, 2014._rIMG_4020_cr

Horned Grebe

Binomial name: Podiceps auritus

Category: Grebes

Size: 14” long, 18” wing span

Weight: 1 lb.

Habitat:  Breeds on small to medium sized, vegetated areas of shallow freshwater ponds and marshes. The breeding range is from northern central US north to northern regions of Canada and Alaska.

Diet: In summer mostly feed on aquatic insects which they get off the top of the water. They also eat crustaceans which they get diving under water. In winter their diet includes fish, crustacean and small aquatic animals.

Nesting:  The nest is a pile of wet plant material that is floating or sometimes on a rock. It is an open bowl and located near the water’s edge as this since the grebe legs are back far and they cannot walk well. The female lays 3-7 eggs white to light brown or light blue-green. The young are feed by both parents and can swim and dive usually the next day after hatching. The young often ride on the back of the parents back like loons do.

Cool Facts: This grebe eats some of its own feathers and they sit in their stomach and act as a filter and hold fish bones and other things till they are digested. One of the smaller grebes that is an excellent diver and swimmer that can stay under water for very long periods of time.

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Preening

Preening

Shaking off!

Shaking off!

Shaking off!

Shaking off!

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Back view

Back view

 

Horned Grebe Fox River Waukesha March 29, 2014

Horned Grebe Fox River Waukesha March 29, 2014

Horned Grebe Milwaukee Art Museum April 28, 2013

Horned Grebe – breeding plumage – Milwaukee Art Museum April 28, 2013

Horned Grebe Milwaukee Art Museum April 28, 2013

Horned Grebe – breeding plumage – Milwaukee Art Museum April 28, 2013

Eared Grebe Milwaukee Art Museum April 28, 2013 – Note: Eared Grebe does not have white tip on end of bill. Its bill also curves upward where the Horned is straight. The Eared Grebe has a yellow brush look material behind eye where the Horned Grebe has yellowish feathers.

Eared Grebe Milwaukee Art Museum April 28, 2013 – Note: Eared Grebe does not have white tip on end of bill. Its bill also curves upward where the Horned is more straight. The Eared Grebe has a yellow brush look material behind eye where the Horned Grebe has yellowish feathers.

Eared Grebe Milwaukee Art Museum April 28, 2013 – Note: Eared Grebe does not have white tip on end of bill. Its bill also curves upward where the Horned is straight. The Eared Grebe has a yellow brush look material behind eye where the Horned Grebe has yellowish feathers.

Eared Grebe Milwaukee Art Museum April 28, 2013 – Note: Eared Grebe does not have white tip on end of bill. Its bill also curves upward where the Horned is more straight. The Eared Grebe has a yellow brush look material behind eye where the Horned Grebe has yellowish feathers.

Lesser Scaup

The Fox River in downtown Waukesha Wisconsin has been pretty exciting with duck species the last couple of weeks. Some hang around for a day or two, some weeks. Yesterday there were over 3o scaups, mostly Lesser Scaups. The majority of the scaups were napping most of the time I was there until the thin ice started disappearing, then there was more movement. Other duck species present yesterday, Common Goldeneye Ducks (m-f), Red-breasted Mergansers (m-f), Lesser and Greater Scaups (m-f), Bufflehead and American Coots. The wind made for a very cold day. Photographs taken on March 26th, 2014. Some of the taken images are for helping to see the differences in the ID of Lesser and Greater Scaups.

Lesser Scaup - Male

Lesser Scaup – Male

Lesser Scaup

Binomial name: Aythya affinis

Category: Duck, Geese, and Swans

Size: 16.5” long, 25” wing span

Weight: 1.8 lb.

Habitat: Breeding range in general, northern Great Plains, Wyoming, Minnesota, and Iowa sometimes more east, well into northern Alaska on freshwater inland ponds and lakes and marsh ponds in tundra.

Diet: Dive for aquatic plants and parts such as seeds, leaves, stems, tubers and roots. Some of these plants are muskgrass, wild celery, pondweeds and sedges. Their diet also includes aquatic insects, clams, snails, mussels, and other crustaceans which they get by forging and sifting through mud on the bottom.

Nesting: A nest is nothing more than a bowl shaped of grasses on the ground or on a mound typically lined with down. It is placed in a sheltered location above water or near water in thick vegetation such as grasses, sedges, and bullrushes. An average of 9 olive-brown or pale greenish colored eggs are laid, and the female uses distracting displays to keep away foxes, ravens, red-tailed hawks, raccoons, owls, minks and various gull species. Young leave the nest after incubation of 21-27 days as soon as they are dry after hatching. At that time female takes them to food immediately as they can swim and they feed themselves.

Facts: With its distinctive blue bill, this duck is commonly called-the bluebill by hunters. Of the diving ducks, the Lesser is one of the most plentiful and widespread in North America. Similar to the Lesser Scaup, accurate counts of this bird are not possible and both species are counted and numbers then adjusted.  Dives for its food, but eats it on the surface. Large flocks of these ducks have been seen, up to 500,000 at once. They feed throughout the day for 20 minutes at a time. To identify the Greater from the Lesser Scaup, sometimes field guides are needed as they are so similar. The black nail on the end of the bill is one of the easiest tips for ID of the Lesser as it is very narrow. On the Greater the black nail on the tip of the bill is wider. Recently a friend of mine observed a Snowy Owl capturing, killing and eating a Scaup species on Lake Michigan.

Lesser Scaup - Male

Lesser Scaup – Male – Note: Black narrow nail on bill tip

Lesser Scaup stretching - Male

Lesser Scaup stretching – Male

Lesser Scaup stretching - Male

Lesser Scaup stretching – Male

Lesser Scaup front left more peak on back of head - Male, Greater Scaup right front, more rounded head, black nail wider on bill end - F

Lesser Scaup front left more peak on back of head – Male, Greater Scaup right front, more rounded head, black nail wider on bill end – Female

Greater Scaup left - F, 4 Lesser Scaups - M

Greater Scaup left – Female, 4 Lesser Scaups – Male

Greater Scaup front - FM, Lesser Scaup back - M

Greater Scaup front, note wider black nail on bill tip – Female, Lesser Scaup back, note narrow black nail on bill tip – Male

Greater Scaup drinking, wider black nail on bill tip, rounder head shape - Female

Greater Scaup drinking, wider black nail on bill tip, rounder head shape – Female

Lesser Scaup preening - Male

Lesser Scaup preening – Male

Lesser Scaup preening, narrow black nail on bill tip - Male

Lesser Scaup preening, narrow black nail on bill tip – Male

Greater Scaup front, round shaped head - Female.  Lesser Scaup behind, more pointed head - Male

Greater Scaup front, round shaped head – Female. Lesser Scaup behind, more pointed head – Male

Lesser Scaup resting - Male

Lesser Scaup resting – Male

Lesser Scaup resting - Male

Lesser Scaup resting – Male

Lesser Scaup resting - Female

Lesser Scaup resting – Female

Lesser Scaup resting - Female

Lesser Scaup resting – Female

Lesser Scaup resting - Male

Lesser Scaup resting – Male

Greater Scaup middle - Female, remaining Lesser Scaups - Male, note head shapes

Greater Scaup middle – Female, remaining Lesser Scaups – Male, note head shapes

Lesser Scaup - Female

Lesser Scaup – Female

Lesser Scaup splashing - Male

Lesser Scaup splashing – Male

Lesser Scaup preening, note narrow black nail on bill tip - Male

Lesser Scaup preening, note narrow black nail on bill tip – Male

Greater Scaup - Male - Milwaukee River Mouth / Lake Michigan Lakefront, February 2, 2014

Greater Scaup – Male – Milwaukee River Mouth / Lake Michigan Lakefront, February 23, 2014. Note wide black nail on bill tip.

Greater Scaup - Female - Milwaukee River Mouth / Lake Michigan Lakefront, February 2, 2014

Greater Scaup – Female – Milwaukee River Mouth / Lake Michigan Lakefront, February 23, 2014. Note wide black nail on bill tip and more round head shape.

Greater Scaup - Female walking on ice - Milwaukee River Mouth / Lake Michigan Lakefront, February 2, 2014

Greater Scaup – Female walking on ice – Milwaukee River Mouth / Lake Michigan Lakefront, February 23, 2014. Note wide black nail on bill tip.

Greater Scaup - Female walking on ice - Milwaukee River Mouth / Lake Michigan Lakefront, February 2, 2014

Greater Scaup – Female walking on ice – Milwaukee River Mouth / Lake Michigan Lakefront, February 23, 2014. Note wide black nail on bill tip.

Greater Scaup - Male  -  Milwaukee River Mouth / Lake Michigan Lakefront, February 2, 2014

Greater Scaup – Male – Milwaukee River Mouth / Lake Michigan Lakefront, February 23, 2014. Note wide black nail on bill tip.

Greater Scaup - Male  -  Milwaukee River Mouth / Lake Michigan Lakefront, February 2, 2014

Greater Scaup – Male – Milwaukee River Mouth / Lake Michigan Lakefront, February 23, 2014. Note more round head shape.

Greater Scaup - Female  -  Milwaukee River Mouth / Lake Michigan Lakefront, February 2, 2014

Greater Scaup – Female – Milwaukee River Mouth / Lake Michigan Lakefront, February 23, 2014. Note wide black nail on bill tip.