Animals Archives - Window to Wildlife - Photography by Jim Edlhuber

White-tailed Deer in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on February 9, 2020

By admin | February 9, 2020 - 1:05 pm |February 9, 2020 Animals

A late birding run this morning produced very few birds but some nice White-tailed Deer. I enjoyed watching 7 nice buck with the antlers for a couple of minutes before the herd drifted into a thicket. Bird of the day was a nice Red-tailed Hawk stashed away in a wooded area. A snowy and beautiful morning out there with light snow falling on and off with temps around 28 degrees. Images were taken on February 9, 2020.

White-tailed Deer, 1 of 7 in this herd…

Out into the prairie grass and they did a little munching out there…

A look at me…

In some wildflowers here…

Thinking about what is ahead here…

White-tailed Deer in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on January 2, 2020

By admin | January 3, 2020 - 8:39 am |January 5, 2020 Animals

Leave a comment

White out birding I came across a nice White-tailed Deer, buck. It was just roaming around in the woods picking at a few things to eat. I took a couple shots of it and then it bedded down near a doe. Nice to see these big ones around. Cloudy morning but pleasant temps around 35 degrees. Images were taken on January 2, 2019.

White-tailed Deer, buck…

White-tailed Deer, doe near by…

The White-tailed Deer, buck taking a break near the doe…

Coyote at the Milwaukee Lakefront on December 31, 2019

By admin | December 31, 2019 - 5:52 pm |December 31, 2019 Animals

3 Comments

While birding the Milwaukee lakefront I came across a Coyote. The Coyote was on to a couple of little critters, maybe field mice/voles under the snow but never captured one to eat. It roamed out of the area it was in out of sight. A breezy morning with temps around 30 degrees, cloudy skies, it felt like winter. Images were taken on December 31, 2019.

What a beautiful canine, the Coyote…

Maybe hears something, it is sniffing too.

Working its way towards me as it must hear or smell something…

On to something maybe a mouse or vole…

Just looking…

Turns around and off it goes, then out of sight…

Albino Squirrel in Waukesha County Wisconsin on November 20, 2019

By admin | November 20, 2019 - 9:19 pm |November 21, 2019 Animals

3 Comments

Albino Squirrels are not common at all so I took advantage of getting some images of one of two in Waukesha County when I had the opportunity. They are storing nuts for the winter and working on a nest too. I was a pretty nice morning with some sun, mild temps and low winds. Images were taken on November 20, 2019.

Albino Eastern Gray Squirrel

Scientific name: Sciurus carolinensis

Type: Mammal

Albino: Albinism, is a mutation on a gene that codes for pigmentation. Eyes are red in color on albino mammals.

Habitat: They prefer large areas of mature and dense woodlands.

Average life span in the wild: Adults can live to 6 years. Records that have been keep they may survive much longer.

Size: Bodies run 9.1″ to 11.8″ long plus the tail, tails averaging about 8″-10″ long.

Weight: 14-21 oz

Diet: Tree berries, buds, bark, nuts, acorns and seeds. They are also known to eat seeds at bird feeders and vegetables from gardens.

Range: Midwest to the eastern US and southeastern Canada.

What a beautiful squirrel running with a Walnut!

Thinking here on where to bury this nut…

Raccoons Peeking out of their Home in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on November 9, 2019

By admin | November 9, 2019 - 7:12 pm |November 10, 2019 Animals

2 Comments

While out birding in Milwaukee County I stumbled upon two raccoons peeking out of their home, a hole in a tree. They moved around some in their hole with one trying to climb up into the tree hole out of sight. After awhile one managed and the other in sight took a nap. A pleasant morning out with low winds and pleasant temps around 35 degrees partly sunny skies. Images were taken on November 9, 2019.

The pair of Raccoons just peeking out of their home…

As they moved around in the hole, one was working its way up inside the hole in the tree…

Trying to get comfortable…

The raccoon above is dropping wood chips on the one below trying to get comfortable up in the tree hole…

Just relaxing and giving nice looks…

Trying to find that comfortable position…

Looking around, checking things out around it…

Just thinking here…

Going to take that nap…I left…

American Mink at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on October 1, 2019

By admin | October 2, 2019 - 10:22 am |October 2, 2019 Animals

4 Comments

While birding Lakeshore State Park a cute little American Mink caught my eye. It was grooming itself and scratching its back on the pier, rolling over, it was having a great time. I was a ways off and I don’t think it saw me, it was so cute, what a show it put on! Not a very natural setting but you have to take what you can get in the city…:) A little rain with gloomy skies, mild temps, next to no wind. Images were taken on October 1, 2019.

American Mink…

Rolling over for a back rub…

Chilling…just got finished rubbing its back on the above beam…

Rubbing its chin on the deck…

Thinking…

Looking around…

Looking more…

Stretching out…nap time!

Grey and Black Squirrels Debugging themselves in the yard in Waukesha County Wisconsin on August 3, 2019

By admin | August 3, 2019 - 9:14 pm |August 3, 2019 Animals

4 Comments

When first observed through the window at home in a tree I assumed this was some unseen before grooming being done by 3 different squirrels. 2 Grey and 1 Black squirrels were doing what I thought was grooming for about 20 minutes. Black Squirrels have been seen in the yard here for very many years. When looking at the images I realized these squirrels had parasites of some sort, tick, mites, fleas, etc. So this is how they care for each other out in the wild to try to remove these parasites? After awhile It was interesting to see this take place from an educational point. Feeling sorry for the squirrels, I would assume they will be fine. Images were taken on August 3, 2019.

Grey Squirrel debugging the Black Squirrel…they all took turns…

Woodchuck at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on April 12, 2019

By admin | April 13, 2019 - 8:06 pm |April 13, 2019 Animals

Leave a comment

While birding Lakeshore State Park I came across one of the residents there, a Woodchuck. I saw this woodchuck minding his own business eating grass along the rocks. When he spotted me he hid in the rocks. I though I would hide on him next to rocks as he would be out for more grass. Minutes later, sure enough, out he came thinking about eating more grass. I think he knew I was in the area though. It was a nice morning with a little wind. Images were taken on April 12, 2019.

The Woodchuck eating grass, then spots me…he backs up and hides…

The Woodchuck comes up, looks around and thinks the coast is clear…

Looks around, taking his time, he has all day…

Looking around waits to make his next move…

Goes back out to eat more grass…

The Woodchuck looks at me, but goes back to eating grass…

Woodchucks in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on June 18, 2018

By admin | June 18, 2018 - 2:36 pm |June 18, 2018 Animals

1 Comment

Doing some birding in Milwaukee County this morning I came across 3 Woodchucks. 1 Adult and 2 chucklings that gave nice views for a few minutes while I watched them. The adult actually approached some but then stayed at a distance for the remainder of the time I was present. The 2 chucklings followed the adult and on occasion showed affection to the adult, how cute it was. It was a hot and humid morning out with temps in the upper 80’s, a nice breeze made it tolerable. Images were taken on June 18, 2018.

The adult Woodchuck and a chuckling…

Woodchuck

AKA: Groundhog, Whistle Pig and even Land Beaver

Scientific name: Marmota monax

Type: Mammal

Size: Head and body, 18-33.75 inches

Weight: 8 to 14 lbs

Diet: Fruit, vegetables, clover, weeds, and grass

At a distance…the 3 of them…

Chucklings climbing around on the rocks together…

Adult Woodchuck

Showing affection…

Chuckling standing close by…

Being in a safe place with probably mom…

They were by Mom often…

Adult and 2 chucklings, just hanging out…

Mom kept her eye on them all the time…

A real cutie I would say…

Opossum at a Milwaukee County Park on January 14, 2018

By admin | January 14, 2018 - 9:50 pm |January 14, 2018 Animals, Uncategorized

2 Comments

At one of county parks in Milwaukee today, I spotted this cute Opossum. It was eating what appeared to be small scraps of food maybe that were in a parking area. Eating appeared to be a high priority as it did not seem to mind me parked in my car taking a few photos. After a few minutes it went over a rocky edge and disappeared out of sight. Images were taken on January 14, 2018.

Coyote at the Milwaukee Wisconsin Lakefront on November 26, 2017

By admin | November 26, 2017 - 5:30 pm |November 26, 2017 Animals

5 Comments

Doing some birding along the lakefront in Milwaukee I came across this stunning mammal. The Coyote just stared at me, eventually it moved on away from me. Images were taken on November 26, 2017.

A beautiful Coyote that gave nice looks for a few minutes…

Coyote

White-tailed Deer at the Wehr Nature Center on May 31, 2017

By admin | June 5, 2017 - 7:20 am |June 5, 2017 Animals

1 Comment

“Little Buck” was seen in the deep woods at the Wehr Nature Center this morning while doing some birding there. The White-tailed Deer was with another deer as they browsed on some fresh vegetation while I enjoyed their views from a distance. Images were taken on May 31, 2017.

Red Fox in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on March 3, 2017

By admin | March 3, 2017 - 6:04 pm |March 3, 2017 Animals, Red Fox

2 Comments

On a birding run today in Milwaukee County I stumbled across a Red Fox hunting. The Red Fox tried to make a catch here but it’s snack got away. It remained in the hunting mode but then moved out of sight. Always makes for a fun day seeing one of these mammals out doing it’s thing!

Before the catch…

It got away!

Pursuing another catch!

Looking and listening

Maybe it got away

Just looking at the photographer

A beautiful coat!

Coyote at Grant Park in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on February 14, 2017

By admin | February 14, 2017 - 7:21 pm |February 14, 2017 Animals

1 Comment

Doing some birding in Grant Park this morning I came across this Coyote. Always exciting to see one of these and to think they are in the woods many times just watching you. It was a mild day for February with temps around 42 degrees and mostly sunny skies. Image was taken on February 14, 2017.

Red Fox hunting in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on January 30, 2017

By admin | January 30, 2017 - 8:45 pm |January 30, 2017 Animals, Red Fox

Leave a comment

Got a glimpse of a Red Fox doing a brief hunting before it left the area. Always a treat to see one of these. Images were taken on January 30, 2017.

Thinking about something here in the grass….

Red Fox

Scientific name: Vulpes vulpes

Type: Mammal

Habitat: Forests, grasslands, mountains, savanna, agricultural lands and deserts. Red Foxes can also adapt to farms, suburban areas and sometimes cities.

Average life span in the wild: 2 to 4 years

Size: Head and body, 18-33.75 inches

Weight: 6.5 to 24 lbs

Diet: Fruit, vegetables, fish, frogs, rabbits, birds and rodents in the wild. If living in a human environment they may include in the diet garbage and pet food.

Range: Northern hemisphere from the arctic circle to Central American. They can also be found in Northern Africa and central Asia.

On a mission

Comes up empty and leaves the area

Opossum eating fruit in a tree in Waukesha County Wisconsin on December 28, 2016

By admin | December 28, 2016 - 6:21 pm |January 8, 2017 Animals

7 Comments

Doing some birding today in Waukesha County I came across something I had never seen before. A Opossum in a crab apple eating the fruit. It was there for a good 30 minutes and then I left. Images were taken on December 28, 2016.

Opossum

Binomial name: Didelphia virginiana

Category: Mammals

Average life span in the wild: 2 years

Size: To 2.5 feet in length

Weight: 1.8-14 lbs

Diet: Fruits, snakes, insects, snails, slugs, eggs, mice, rats, fish, frogs, crayfish, and carrion.

Cool fact: The can give birth to as many as 25

White-tailed Deer Swimming at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on September 12, 2016

By admin | September 15, 2016 - 9:30 pm |September 15, 2016 Animals

Leave a comment

When I arrived at Greenfield Park in the early morning a group of 5 White-tailed Deer had just finished gathering around a watering hole at the park. Some feeding was done there, splashing around some and then they headed for the lake. Arriving at the lake they lined up and all swam to the island successfully. What at cool event that was. The swim was so graceful and silent too. Images were taken on September 12, 2016.

A little nibbling on a willow branch

Just looking around

Standing around the water

Looking around some…

Starting to shake off some of the water from some earlier splashing

Shaking it off!

Making sure the water is out of the ears here…

Looking to group up and head to the lake

They start heading into the water

In they go

Here we go gang!

Across they go to the island

Everyone here?

The swim…they do make it across

American Mink in Waukesha Wisconsin on June 19, 2016

By admin | June 19, 2016 - 8:48 pm |June 20, 2016 Animals

6 Comments

An American Mink has been hanging out near the Fox River in Waukesha. It moves fast along the rocks along the river stopping at locations searching for food in and out of the water. Dan W was there and we had a fun time for awhile photographing this little one gathering food for possible little ones and also food for itself. This female is not always active so one never knows when it will show up. Images were taken on June 19, 2016.

American Mink with crayfish

American Mink

Scientific name: Neovison vison

Type: Mammal

Habitat: Forested areas along, rivers, streams and lakes with dense vegetation. They may also use habitat of swamps and wetlands.

Average life span in the wild: 1 to 3 years

Size: Adults, head and body males 23”-27” long, females 18”-22” long.

Weight: 2 to 3.5 lbs

Diet: Mainly fish, amphibians, crustaceans, small rodents and sometimes insects. Voles are one of their choice meals.

Range: Alaska, Canada and the entire US except for the Southwest.

American Mink with crayfish

In search off….

In search off…

American Mink with crayfish

American Mink with crayfish

American Mink with Bullhead

American Mink with crayfish

Red Fox kits in Waukesha County Wisconsin on May 26, 2016

By admin | May 26, 2016 - 6:13 am |May 26, 2016 Animals, Red Fox

2 Comments

During the last month or so in our yard in Waukesha County, the Red Fox kits have come and gone. The family of at least 4 kits, 2 adults have been seen very little. We have only gotten glimpses of them a few times, but those times have been so exciting. I have put together a few images to share of their last appearance that was a few days ago. Will they return, who knows.

Red Fox kits with Red Fox, adult, female

Red Fox kits in Waukesha County Wisconsin on May 14, 2016

By admin | May 14, 2016 - 3:15 pm |June 5, 2016 Animals, Red Fox

Leave a comment

Re-post, this is a older post from this year in May 2016. It was revamped and some new images have been added, a link goes out to alert anyone who has signed up for alert. Sorry if this has inconvenienced you.

Just a couple shots of Red Fox kits taken in Waukesha County this morning. Cloudy day with some ice pellets and temps around 45 degrees. Images were taken on May 14, 2016