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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.

Hooded Warbler at Lake Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on April 27, 2021

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A stop at Lake Park gave distant views of a Hooded Warbler. While walking across the foot bridge just south of the statue I spotted directly below a Hooded Warbler. From there it moved and rested for a period of time, on a fallen log laying in the ravine. It must of had a long journey as it rested for close to 30 minutes with it’s eyes closed most of the time. I took a shot from a distance and that was it. Other warbler species I saw at the park were Yellow-rumped and Palm. It was a cold morning on the lakefront with good wins from the north. I was dress for March weather. Image was taken on April 27, 2021.

The Hooded Warbler resting on a fallen tree log…

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

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Stopping at Humboldt Park was a good choice today with a Great Egret present. It put on a beautiful show for the time I was there trying to get something to eat. Of the 4 times I watched it go for I assume fish it failed and eventually left the park out of sight. The morning started out cold and then the sun finally warmed things up with sunny skies, temps were around 32 degrees.

The Great Egret…near the island…

Perched here, looking and waiting for something to eat…showing its beautiful plumes…

The Great Egret goes for something to eat…

Chasing something…

That catch failed and the egret heads back to the perch…

Flies to anther spot…

Another try and fails to get something to eat from what I think…

Perched pretty…

And to another location at the pond…

On the island waiting for something to come by…

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

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While doing a walk around today at Greenfield Park a colorful Green Heron along one of the islands caught my eye. The bird did not hang around, but just enough for a photo. Other species to note at the park were a pair of Wood Ducks walking in the grass, a few in Pee-Soup-Pond and a couple of Blue-winged Teal and Pied-billed Grebes out in the open water. It was a cloudy day with steady breeze from the north and temps only in the mid 30’s. Images were taken on April 20, 2021.

The Green Heron…

The Wood Duck, male…

Common Loon at the Fox River in Waukesha Wisconsin on April 15, 2021

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My first birding stop of the day was at the Fox River in Waukesha and it provided nice looks at a Common Loon. While I was there the loon did some fishing for food, had a Bullhead for a snack, resting, and just some floating around doing nothing. It was a nice surprise to see the loon at the river as the river has been quiet for the last couple of weeks. It was mostly cloudy with a few breaks of sun, cold temps around 38 degrees and a strong wind coming down the river out of the north. It really felt like January. Images were taken on April 15, 2021.

The Common Loon…

Those beautiful colors…

Catches a nice Bullhead…

Took awhile to get this fish to settle down…

Down it went, the loon swallowed it!

The stretch…

Resting with one eye on watch…

Just up from a dive…

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron at Grant Park in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on April 14, 2021

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One of my birding stops today was seeing if the reported Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was still present. After 4 days this juvenile bird is still hanging around. It was perched 20 feet off the ground in a Willow tree over looking a small pond. It was a cloudy day, cold with temps only at 37 degrees and a good north wind making it feel like winter. Image was taken on April 14, 2021.

Eastern Screech Owl in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on March 5, 2021

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On a fairly well traveled street in Milwaukee County sits an Eastern Screech Owl, gray morph perched in a tree. Seemed like no worries in the world for this beauty that appeared to be sleeping while I was there. A nice spring day with the sun, but temps were still a little on the cool side. Images were taken on March 5, 2021

The Eastern Screech Owl from a distance….

A closeup…

Red-winged Blackbird in Waukesha County Wisconsin on February 27, 2021

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While looking out the kitchen window this afternoon a pair of male Red-winged Blackbirds were present at the feeder. They looked very tired and eat on and off for a couple of hours and then left. On a spring like day came some spring like birds. It was a gorgeous day with plenty of sunshine, temps around 50 degrees.

Mute Swan on the Fox River at Frame Park in Waukesha on February 27, 2021

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One of my birding stops today gave nice views of a Mute Swan at Frame Park on the Fox River  in Waukesha. The river was almost wide open around noon when I was there. There were some ducks present but off a ways, species I saw were Common Goldeneye, Lesser Scaup, Common Merganser, Hooded Merganser and of course Mallards. A location that should be watched closely as ducks were coming and going and it is that time of the year. A beautiful February day with temps around 50 degrees and sunny skies.

The Mute Swan…

A little preening…

Sandhill Cranes in Waukesha County on February 7, 2021

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One of my birding stops today provided nice looks at 4 Sandhill Cranes in Waukesha County. These 4 never migrated and have hung around all winter in the area. The weather today, -8 degrees when I was there and for the next week is very cold for them.  I hope they will hang in there and then temps will start to moderate soon. They are in a location with open water and hopefully they will get things to eat there. Sunny with a light breeze today. Images were taken on February 7, 2021.

Sandhill Cranes, the 4 of them…

Great Horned Owl in Waukesha County Wisconsin on February 4, 2021

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While out birding one of my stops today was to check on a nest that Red-tailed Hawks used last year. I was curious to see if they were on the nest yet. To my surprise a Great Horned Owl was sitting on it like it owned the place. Typically Great Horned Owls will use nests from other birds such as a Red-tailed Hawks nest, as they don’t build their own. I’ll have to check on this one as the weeks go by to see what goes on. It was a cloudy day with nice temps around 30. Images were taken on February 4, 2021

The Great Horned Owl giving nice looks today…

Another view, this nest is very high up…

Barred Owl in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on January 17, 2021

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On one of my birding walks today I was happy to encounter a beautiful Barred Owl. The owl was quietly roosting in a tree which is what this species does during the day. At night they are hunters for small animals  and rodents. It was an overcast day with very light snow flurries, mild temps around 30 degrees. Images were taken on January 17, 2021.

The roosting Barred Owl with some light snow flurries coming down…

A side view of this beautiful bird…

 

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

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One of my birding stops today was at Greenfield Park to see if the Spotted Towhee was still present and it was. I hung around for about 20 minutes before it came out of the bushes just west of the waterfall. It gave nice views at that time. This was my second try, seeing it twice now, this rare bird visiting the area. It was an overcast morning with a slight breeze but great temperatures getting near 40. Images were taken on January 13, 2021.

The Spotted Towhee at takeoff…

Look at that tail!!

Hoping from one place to another…

 

 

American Pipit at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin on January 9, 2021

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A stop at McKinley Beach this morning produced 1 American Pipit. It was digging through algae on the beach finding things to eat. It is considered a rare bird on this date at this location because it is a late bird. It was a beautiful January day with temps around 32 degrees and only a slight breeze, sunny skies. Images were taken on January 9, 2021.

American Pipit stops for a moment for a photo…

Food in the bill here, a worm…

The American Pipit digs through algae for things to eat…

Hopping around on the beach, digging through algae is how they find their food…

In their habitat here, in migration, this a late bird…

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

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As I thought my birding day was winding down I got a message from Jacob C. that a Spotted Towhee, a hatch year bird was found by an unidentified birder at Greenfield Park. I made the quick run over and the bird was present near the small waterfall. We both got nice views but for the most part the bird perched in trees. It was almost dark out but I managed a couple of quick photos while it fed on the ground as I was leaving. A cloudy day with temps around 30, not bad for the start of the new year. Images were taken on January 8, 2021

Spotted Towhee

Another look…

Great Horned Owl in Waukesha County on January 1, 2021

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My birding morning started off in Milwaukee County. Common birds that are expected to be seen this time of year were found. A couple stops in Waukesha County on my way home produced a beautiful Great Horned Owl. It was sitting in a pine perched pretty and was there when I left. Coming across this nice bird was a great way to start out the birding new year. A gloomy morning, temps around 30, some wind, not bad for the 1st of the year!

Wisconsin birding, the year in review 2020. Includes vagrants, special visitors or just the beautiful birds that either nest here or migrate through the state of Wisconsin.

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I have put together a collection of some of the Wisconsin birding moments from the year 2020. 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 2020. 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!

Snowy Owl in Milwaukee County January 4, 2020

Snowy Owl in Milwaukee County January 4, 2020

Cedar Waxwing at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County January 21, 2020

Cedar Waxwing eating berries at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County January 21, 2020

Harris’s Sparrow, male at the Mequon Nature Preserve in Ozaukee County January 21, 2020

Hooded Merganser, male at the Fox River in Waukesha County January 30, 2020

Hooded Merganser, male at the Fox River in Waukesha County January 30, 2020

Downy Woodpecker in Waukesha County January 31, 2020

Eastern Screech Owl, gray morph in Milwaukee County January 30, 2020

Redhead, male on the Fox River Waukesha County February 10, 2020

Long-eared Owl in Milwaukee County February 4, 2020

Eastern Screech Owl, red morph catching some sunshine in the yard Waukesha County February 27, 2020

Doing a chore in the yard the Eastern Screech Owl watches me, Waukesha County February 27, 2020

Doing a chore in the yard the Eastern Screech Owl watches me, Waukesha County February 27, 2020

Sandhill Cranes on the Bark River in Waukesha County March 4, 2020

Trumpeter Swans the pair, at Frame Park in Waukesha March 4, 2020

Northern Shrike, some blood on the bill at the County Grounds Milwaukee County March 17, 2020…

Northern Harrier in the South Kettle Moraine Waukesha County March 21, 2020

Hooded Merganser, male, at the Fox River in Waukesha March 22, 2020

Long-eared Owl in Southeastern Wisconsin April 2, 2020

Long-eared Owl in Southeastern Wisconsin April 2, 2020

A Killdeer preening in Milwaukee County April 5, 2020

Red-headed Woodpecker in Marquette County April 5, 2020

Golden-crowned Sparrow, this rare bird in Calumet County April 7, 2020

Wood Duck, male in Milwaukee County April 9, 2020

Wood Duck, male in Milwaukee County April 9, 2020

Wood Duck, female in Milwaukee County April 9, 2020

The rare Tufted Duck, male at Fresh Air Park in Winnebago County April 16, 2020

A Great Horned Owl owlet, this one on the nest, the other close by in Oconomowoc Waukesha County April 18, 2020

Osprey flyover at Greenfield Park Milwaukee County April 20, 2020

Great Horned Owl just hanging out in Waukesha County April 21, 2020

Horned Grebe at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County April 22, 2020

Indigo Bunting, male in Waukesha County May 4, 2020

Black-throated Gray Warbler in Wauwatosa, Milwaukee County May 6, 2020

Eastern Towhee, male in Marquette County May 5, 2020

Eastern Towhee, female in Marquette County May 5, 2020

Black-throated Blue, male at Wehr Nature Center Milwaukee County May 13, 2020

Black-throated Green, male at Wehr Nature Center Milwaukee County May 13, 2020

Mourning Warbler, male at Wehr Nature Center Milwaukee County May 13, 2020

Cape May Warbler, male at Wehr Nature Center Milwaukee County May 13, 2020

Prothonotary Warbler, male at Wehr Nature Center Milwaukee County May 16, 2020

Canada Warbler, male at Wehr Nature Center Milwaukee County May 16, 2020

Blackburnian Warbler, male at Wehr Nature Center Milwaukee County May 16, 2020

Bay-breasted Warbler, male at Wehr Nature Center Milwaukee County May 16, 2020

Red-headed Woodpecker in Marquette County May 15, 2020

Mountain Bluebird, female in Taylor County May 15, 2020

Western Tanager, male in Waukesha County May 21, 2020

Sandhill Crane just passed a grub worm to the colt Waukesha County May 24, 2020

Sandhill Crane colt stretching those wings Waukesha County May 24, 2020

Black-bellied Whistling Duck, male at Washinton Park Milwaukee County May 27, 2020

Black-bellied Whistling Duck, male at Washinton Park Milwaukee County May 27, 2020

Barred Owl in Milwaukee County June 1, 2020

Barred Owl owlet Milwaukee County June 1, 2020

The Yellow-billed Cuckoo Milwaukee County June 7, 2020

Sandhill Crane rolling over the eggs on the nest Milwaukee County June 7, 2020

Sandhill Crane sitting on the nest Milwaukee County June 7, 2020

Alder Flycatcher in the South Kettle Moraine Waukesha County June 8, 2020

Bobolink, male at Retzer Nature Center Waukesha County June 16, 2020

Bobolink, female with food in the bill, looks like a Daddy Long Legs at Retzer Nature Center Waukesha County June 16, 2020

Common Loon stretching in Sawyer County July 4, 2020

Common Loon, chick in Sawyer County July 4, 2020

Great Blue Heron at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County July 8, 2020

Eastern Bluebird, female in the yard in Waukesha County July 8, 2020

Sandhill Crane in the South Kettle Moraine in Waukesha County July 19,2020

Red-headed Woodpecker in Marquette County July 20, 2020

Great Egret shaken off in Burlington in Racine County July 21, 2020

Great Egret with something to eat in Burlington in Racine County July 21, 2020

Mexican Violetear Hummingbird in Crawford County August 2, 2020

Red-headed Woodpecker in Marquette County August 4, 2020

Ruby-throated Hummingbird, male at Boerner Botanical Gardens in Milwaukee County August 23, 2020

Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County August 26, 2020

American Golden Plover at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County August 28, 2020

Green Heron at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County August 28, 2020

Green Heron at Lakeshore State Park with a nice Rock Bass Milwaukee County August 28, 2020

Ruby-throated Hummingbird at Boerner Botanical Gardens August 28, 2020

Semipalmated Plover at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County September 9, 2020

Sanderling at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County September 9, 2020

Great Egret, hunting for something to eat at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County September 9, 2020

Great Egret, with a catch at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County September 9, 2020

Sora with a worm to eat at Veteran’s Park in Milwaukee County September 9, 2020

Nelson’s Sharpe-tailed Sparrow at Veteran’s Park in Milwaukee County September 23, 2020

Least Sandpiper at Veteran’s Park in Milwaukee County September 29, 2020

Northern Waterthrush at Veteran’s Park in Milwaukee County September 29, 2020

Harris’s Sparrow at Lake Park in Milwaukee County October 2, 2020

Pine Siskin getting things to eat in Milwaukee County October 9, 2020

Peregrine Falcon at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County October 11, 2020

Horned Lark at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County October 11, 2020

California Gull coughing up a large pellet at Johnson Creek in Jefferson County October 20, 2020

Snow Bunting at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County October 25, 2020

Dunlin getting back up on the rock after a little slip at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County October 26, 2020

White-rumped Sandpiper at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County October 30, 2020

Sanderling at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County October 31, 2020

Dunlins at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County October 31, 2020

Tufted Titmouse in Marquette County November 2, 2020

The Long-eared Owl in Southeast Wisconsin on November 11, 2020

Sandhill Crane in Oconomowoc in Waukesha County November 14, 2020

Sandhill Crane adult with juvenile in Oconomowoc in Waukesha County November 14, 2020

Sanderling posing pretty at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County November 19, 2020

Evening Grosbeak at Grant Park in Milwaukee County December 1, 2020

Common Redpoll at Summerfest Grounds in Milwaukee County December 8, 2020

The Snowy Owl fluffing up those feathers at the Lake Express in Milwaukee County December 13, 2020

Bullock’s Oriole, young male in Door County on December 15, 2020

Bullock’s Oriole in Door County on December 15, 2020

The Allen’s Hummingbird at a distance in Green County on December 18, 2020

The Harlequin Duck, 1st year male at Port Washington in Ozaukee County December 28, 2020

The Harlequin Ducks habitat of fast moving water and rocks, this was close to that at Port Washington in Ozaukee County December 28, 2020

Long-tailed Duck, male at Port Washington in Ozaukee County on December 28, 2020

Long-tailed Duck at take off at Port Washington in Ozaukee County on December 28, 2020

Harlequin Duck at Port Washington in Ozaukee County Wisconsin on December 28, 2020

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The 1st year male Harlequin Duck put on a nice show today at Port Washington. It hung with Mallards feeding, resting and moving around near the north beach area. For the most part it would be in the middle of the groups of Mallards, must have made it feel safe or one of them. An exciting visiting bird. It was a cold day with the wind on the water, the sunny skies did help. Images were taken on December 28, 2020.

The Harlequin Duck, 1st year male…

The Harlequin Ducks habitat of fast moving water and rocks, this was close to that…

Getting something to eat…

Just moving around…

Giving a nice look here…

Long-tailed Duck at Port Washington in Ozaukee County Wisconsin on December 26, 2020

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A stop today at Port Washington gave nice looks a Long-tailed Duck. This stunning male has been seen for a few days on and off recently. It fed many times on fish while I was present. It was a cloudy day, very cold around 18 degrees when I arrived. A slight wind which just made it feel colder. Images were taken on December 26 and 28th, 2020.

Long-tailed Duck, male

A nice look!

Coming in to feed…

Coming in…

When it dives for food, it appears it gets fish 50% of the time…

That long tail, wow!

Long-tailed Duck on December 28 with some sun…

Long-tailed Duck on December 28 with some sun taking off…