Author Archives: admin

About admin

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

Sandhill Cranes in Waukesha County Wisconsin on March 5, 2022

By | | ,
3 Comments

Birding about Waukesha County I came across a couple of Sandhill Cranes off the highway. They must have come in the last day or two. They moved around and seemed to find some food in a few spots where maybe frost was not in the ground. It was nice seeing them and they will probably be looking for a nesting place soon. It was a gloomy day but temps were mild in the 40’s. Images were taken on March 5, 2022.

The pair of Sandhill Cranes…

Preening…

Finding things to eat…

Some dirt on the bill from getting things to eat in the ground…

Horned Larks in Waukesha County Wisconsin on February 27, 2022

By | | ,
1 Comment

Birding in the Oconomowoc area I came across 5 Horned Larks finding seeds on the roadside to eat. These birds typically don’t let you get too close to them so these couple of images were taken out of the car window while parked. A sunny morning with cool temps but low winds made for a nice birding run. Images were taken on February 27, 2022.

The Horned Lark in a grassy area finding seeds to eat…

This Horned Lark on a small bank of snow just perched…

Great Horned Owls in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on February 25, 2022

By | | ,
Leave a comment

As I walked one of my birding spots in Milwaukee County coming over a hill I spotted a Great Horned Owl watching me from a distance. The owl was high up in a broken off large tree just staring at me like they do, assuming it is on a nest. I found it’s mate off in a distant spruce tree and viewable to the owl on the nest. I was a nice day with plenty of sun low winds but cool. Image was taken on February 25, 2022.

The Great Horned Owl on the nest…

The 2nd Great Horned Owl off in a distant spruce tree watches the nest…

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

By | | ,
2 Comments

A Ross’s Goose, a rare visitor, was present at South Shore Park along Milwaukee’s lakefront this morning. It had been reported in the area and was hanging out resting and a little eating with about 15 Canada Geese. It was a bitter cold morning with temps around 6 degrees  at the time with full sun which actually did help in taking the bite out of the air. Images were taken on February 19, 2022.

The Ross’s Goose sitting on the freshly fallen snow…

Did just a little walking around while I was there maybe getting something to eat…

Beautiful…!

Resting in some partial shade…

Not much to eat at this location…

Pileated Woodpeckers in Waukesha County on February 8, 2022

By | | ,
3 Comments

While out birding in Waukesha County I came across a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers. A male and female moved through a small hardwood forest area quickly in search of insects. Way to early for nesting, in a short time they had left the area. A nice day with warmer temps expected but it was still 24 degrees at this time. Images were taken on February 8, 2022.

The Pileated Woodpecker, a male in search of insects…

Male…

Climbing around on different trees this female in search of insects…

Finding things to eat, the female…

Female…

Long-eared Owls in Wisconsin on January 31, 2022

By | | ,
5 Comments

I was in search of Red or White-winged Crossbills this morning and it was a nice surprise to come across a pair of Long-eared Owls. This location is not where other Long-eared Owls have been photographed, reported, or roosting recently in the state. One of the owls was more in the open for photos so a took a couple. The other owl was in some thick pine branches not up for a photo. With the bright sunny day in the dark pines, it was not easy to capture the amazing moment with the Long-eared Owls. These owls were watching me as I quietly left the area. It was a bright sunny day and finally a little warmer temps, high near 32 degrees with light winds. Images were taken on January 31, 2022.

The Long-eared Owl…

Taking a closer look at a distance after finding the owl…

White wash from an owl…

When my eyes first spotted this bird in the tree at about 30 feet…too small for a Great Horned Owl, too big for a Saw-whet Owl…has to be a Long-eared Owl…

This owl totally ignored my presence, and I just ignored it too after a few of shots and left the area…

White-winged Crossbills at Stute Springs in the South Kettle Moraine in Waukesha County January 25, 2022

By | | ,
3 Comments

I took a ride in the South Kettle Moraine in the afternoon and found some White-winged Crossbills at Stute Springs. There were roughly 20-25 birds very high up feeding on cone seeds and moving around plenty from tree to tree. After a few minutes they circled the area a few times and headed west. The photos are a little fuzzy as the birds were high up and far away. I have stopped here other times this winter and never saw a crossbill, pretty much hit and miss with this species at this location. It was a cold day with a pretty good breeze out of the north and a high temperature of 6 degrees for the day. Sunny skies did give some relief out of the wind. Images were taken on January 25, 2022.

White-winged Crossbill, male

White-winged Crossbill, female

White-winged Crossbill, male

Purple Sandpipers at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on January 17, 2022

By | | ,
6 Comments

The rare species for the area, the Purple Sandpiper found on January 1, 2022 is still hanging around on the Milwaukee lakefront. Another Purple Sandpiper has also joined it so there are two now for the last week or so. I have not been down to the lakefront for some time and decided to check them out. They both were present at the beach area and gave nice views. The first one I found was feeding along the icy shore and the second I found bathing underneath a  rocky area. It was a cloudy morning but temps has eased some from the last week, today was 23 degrees, low winds, it was pleasant. Images were taken on January 17, 2022.

The Purple Sandpiper, bird #1 finding things to eat along the shore…

The Purple Sandpiper, bird #2 found under some large rocks bathing…

Flew around under the rocks, maybe stretching those wings?

Green-winged Teal on the Fox River in Waukesha Wisconsin on January 9, 2022

By | |
6 Comments

One of my birding stops today gave nice views of a beautiful Green-winged Teal on the Fox River in Waukesha. This male hung around with Mallards and Canada Geese as if it was one of them. I check this place often in winter months as you never know what will show up.  It was a cold day with temps at 14 degrees with plenty of sunshine and a good breeze, we are in January, no surprise. Images were taken on January 9, 2022.

Green-winged Teal, male

A stretch!

Green-winged Teal with a Mallard, female, a big difference in size!

Another stretch…

At takeoff…

Just being a duck…

Common Redpolls at the Fox River in Waukesha Wisconsin on January 3, 2022

By | |
7 Comments

Stopping at the Fox River in Waukesha to check out the ducks I got a nice little surprise. In the Alder Trees that line the river there at a few locations, one tree in particular was loaded with the Common Redpolls. They looked very hungry and ate like it was their last meal eating seeds from the Alder Tree tiny cones. They flew a few times to other trees in the area and even some very large mature trees other than Alders. I have seem them here before back in 2016 so not a total surprise. I looked some for Hoary Redpolls but I did not see them. It was a very cold day with temps around 8 degrees with a little breeze, the sun hardly helped warm the air. Images were taken on January 3, 2022.

Common Redpoll, male, just perched on a stump, was eating some fallen cone seeds…

Common Redpoll eating Alder cone seeds…

A bill with a cone seed…

Getting all those seeds or trying to…

Yummy!

Male…

Purple Sandpiper at McKinley Marina in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on January 1, 2022

By | | ,
6 Comments

It was a nice surprise to hear of a Purple Sandpiper at McKinley Beach this morning on New Year’s Day. When I arrived at the Milwaukee lakefront it was still present feeding along a little sand area just south of the beach. This bird was found by Jessica H, nice find and thank you for getting the word out for others to see. A cold and cloudy morning with good winds off the lake at about 20 degrees. Image were taken on January 1, 2022.

The Purple Sandpiper finding things to eat…

Wisconsin birding, the year in review 2021. Includes vagrants, special visitors or just the beautiful birds that either nest here or migrate through the state of Wisconsin.

By | |
9 Comments

I have put together a collection of some of the Wisconsin birding moments from the year 2021. 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 2021. It was a very exciting year with the birds and also birding with some old birding friends and meeting some new ones, too. 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!

Great Horned Owl in Waukesha County January 1, 2021

Spotted Towhee, male at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County January 8, 2021

American Pipit at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County January 9, 2021

Spotted Towhee at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County January 13, 2021

Eastern Screech Owl in Milwaukee County January 14, 2021

Barred Owl in Milwaukee County January 17, 2021

The Long-eared Owl in Wisconsin on January 20, 2021

The Long-eared Owl in Wisconsin on January 20, 2021

Sandhill Cranes in Waukesha County February 7, 2021

Sandhill Crane in Waukesha County February 7, 2021

Mute Swan on the Fox River in Waukesha County February 27, 2021

Mute Swan on the Fox River in Waukesha County February 27, 2021

Red-winged Blackbird in Waukesha County February 27, 2021

Eastern Screech Owl from a distance in Milwaukee County on March 5, 2021

Eastern Screech Owl in Milwaukee County on March 5, 2021

Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Grant Park in Milwaukee County March 4, 2021

Ring-necked Duck, male at the Fox River in Waukesha March 11, 2021

Great Blue Heron at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County March 23, 2021

Ruddy Duck, female at the Fox River in Waukesha County March 24, 2021

Sandhill Crane calling in Waukesha County March 28, 2021

Killdeer in Milwaukee County April 6, 2021

Red-winged Blackbird, female at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County April 13, 2021

The Green Heron at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County April 20, 2021

The Wood Duck, male in Milwaukee County April 20, 2021

Great Egret at Humboldt Park in Milwaukee County on April 25, 2021

Great Egret at Humboldt Park in Milwaukee County on April 25, 2021

Hooded Warbler resting at Lake Park in Milwaukee County on April 24, 2021

American Avocet at North Beach in Racine April 28, 2021

American Avocet at North Beach in Racine April 28, 2021

American Avocet at North Beach in Racine April 28, 2021

Willet at North Beach in Racine April 28, 2021

Willets at North Beach in Racine April 28, 2021

American Avocets at North Beach in Racine April 28, 2021

Baltimore Oriole at Whitnall Park in Milwaukee County May 3, 2021

American Avocets at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County May 5, 2021

Blue-winged Warbler at Whitnall Park in Milwaukee County May 6, 2021

Red-headed Woodpecker in Marquette County May 8, 2021

Red-headed Woodpecker in Marquette County May 8, 2021

Rose-breasted Grosbeak in Milwaukee County May 9, 2021

Black-throated Blue Warbler, male at Wehr Nature Center Milwaukee County May 9, 2021

Great Horned Owl in Waukesha County May 9, 2021

Yellow-rumped Warbler, male at Whitnall Park in Milwaukee County May 9, 2021

Sanderling at South Shore Park in Milwaukee County on May 10, 2021

Sanderling getting something to eat at South Shore Park in Milwaukee County on May 10, 2021

Short-billed Dowitchers at Grant Park in Milwaukee County May 13, 2021

Short-billed Dowitcher at Grant Park in Milwaukee County May 13, 2021

Wild Turkey eggs in Marquette County May 15, 2021

Blue Jay in Marquette County on May 15, 2021

Eastern Towhee, male in Marquette County on May 15, 2021

Northern Cardinal, male in Marquette County on May 15, 2021

Red-headed Woodpecker in Marquette County on May 15, 2021

Baltimore Oriole, male in Marquette County on May 15, 2021

Rose-breasted Grosbeak, male in Marquette County on May 15, 2021

Indigo Bunting, male in Marquette County on May 15, 2021

Rose-breasted Grosbeak, female in Marquette County on May 15, 2021

Snowy Egret at Lincoln Park in Milwaukee County May 17, 2021

Snowy Egret preening at Lincoln Park in Milwaukee County May 17, 2021

Black-throated Gray Warbler at Lake Park in Milwaukee County May 19, 2021

Dunlin giving nice looks at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County June 4, 2021

Dunlin shaking off at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County June 4, 2021

Great Blue Heron with a Goldfish at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County June 4, 2021

Bobolink, male at Retzer Nature Center in Waukesha County June 7, 2021

Bobolink, male in it’s grassland habitat, hanging on with the wind blowing at Retzer Nature Center in Waukesha County June 7, 2021

Wood Duck, female with duckling at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County June 19, 2021

The Red-headed Woodpecker showing its best in Marquette County on June 22, 2021

Great Blue Heron in Sawyer County on July 2, 2021

Snowy Plover walking on the algae at South Metro in Milwaukee County on July 22, 2021

Snowy Plover giving nice looks at South Metro in Milwaukee County on July 22, 2021

Eastern Towhee, juvenile in Marquette County August 2, 2021

Great Blue Heron at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County August 24, 2021

Great Blue Heron with a Bullhead at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County August 24, 2021

Great Blue Heron with a sunfish at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County August 24, 2021

Great Blue Heron at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County September 3, 2021

Black-bellied Plover at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County September 6, 2021

Black-bellied Plover at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County September 6, 2021

Wood Duck, juvenile female in Milwaukee County on September 9, 2021

Wood Duck, juvenile female in Milwaukee County on September 9, 2021

Pied-billed Grebe on the Fox River in Waukesha County September 15, 2021

Great Blue Heron watching for food at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County September 16, 2021

Black-crowned Night Heron at Lakeshore State Park September 19, 2021

Black-crowned Night Heron at Lakeshore State Park September 19, 2021

Cedar Waxwing in Waukesha County on October 18, 2021

Snow Bunting McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County November 3, 2021

Snow Bunting with a seed in the bill at McKinley Beach Milwaukee County November 3, 2021

Red-headed Woodpecker, juvenile in Marquette County November 6, 2021

Hooded Merganser in Waukesha County on November 7, 2021

This Hooded Merganser talking to another duck in Waukesha County on November 7, 2021.

The hood blowing in the wind on this Hooded Merganser in Waukesha County on November 7, 2021

American Kestrel at the Milwaukee Lakefront November 23, 2021

Snowy Owl, this female sits on a rock at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County on November 24, 2021

Snowy Owl takes to the sky at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County November 24, 2021

Snowy Owl sits on a pier near Discovery World in Milwaukee County November 24, 2021

Downy Woodpecker, male in Marquette County December 9, 2021

Long-eared Owl perched pretty 5 feet off the ground in Wisconsin on December 23, 2021

Long-eared Owl in Wisconsin on December 23, 2021

Long-eared Owl in Wisconsin on December 23, 2021

 

Long-eared Owl in Wisconsin on December 23, 2021

By | | ,
7 Comments

One of my birding stops today produced a surprise Long-eared Owl perched 5 feet off the ground. It remained still for about 5 minutes, was not even looking at me, I was very quiet, it must have been eyeing up some food. After about 5 minutes passed, it turned its head and looked at me and I took a few shots. It was a cloudy day with some wind, cold temps around 30 degrees. Images were taken on December 23, 2021.

When I found the Long-eared Owl…it remained looking in that direction for about 5 minutes…

Another shot of when I came upon this owl…

Snowy Owls at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on November 24, 2021

By | | ,
9 Comments

I made a trip to the Milwaukee Lakefront early in the morning in search of Snowy Owls. Present was a hatch year male Snowy Owl at Lakeshore State Park. Another owl was on a pier dock at Discovery World close to Lakeshore SP. The owl at Lakeshore State Park was flushed when a couple of fishermen unknowingly scared it off coming into the area the owl was. It was a cloudy and windy morning with temps around 38 degrees. It was a cloudy and windy morning with temps around 38 degrees. Images were taken on November 24, 2021.

A hatch year male sits on a rock at Lakeshore State Park…

It takes to the sky when fisherman unknowingly walk into the area…

At the pier…a female

Hooded Merganser in Waukesha County Wisconsin on November 7, 2021

By | | ,
2 Comments

One of my birding stops today provided excellent views of a male Hooded Merganser in Waukesha County. It swam around with some Mallards, ate and did some preening too. A beautiful bird with partly cloudy skies, light winds and mild temperatures. Images were taken on November 7, 2021.

The Hooded Merganser, male…

Closeup…

The hood up…

 

The hood with a breeze…

Talking to another duck…

Preening…

Alert!

Just up from a dive…

Just a good looking duck!

Red-headed Woodpecker Juvenile in Marquette County Wisconsin on November 6, 2021

By | | ,
5 Comments

I enjoyed nice looks at this beautiful juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker in Marquette County. Some red is coming in on the head. A gorgeous day with some sun and mild temperatures for this time of year. Images were taken on November 6, 2021.

The juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker with some red starting to come in on the head…

I think opening a seed here…

Opening a seed here too, unless it is trying to stick in into the branch for future food…