Hooded Merganser, female at the Fox River in Waukesha County March 10, 2024

A stop this morning at the Fox River in Waukesha provided nice views of a I’m assuming female Hooded Merganser. Also present was a female Common Merganser. They swam around the river finding things to eat. The pedestrian traffic along the river usually keeps visiting ducks in the middle of the river. I got a break once when this  cutie was a little closer to the shore.  It was a cold morning with temps around 30 degrees and pretty good winds out of the north coming down the river. The full sun did not help warm things up till mid morning. Images were taken on March 10, 2024.

The female Hooded Merganser…

The female Hooded Merganser…

Has a fish and ate it too…

The female Common Merganser…

Windy day, feathers up…

Another …

Wood Ducks in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on October 9, 2023

It was a fun day photographing the beauty of the Wood Ducks at a city park in Milwaukee. They were very active at times and sometimes just doing nothing but hanging out. It was mostly sunny with steady north winds making it cold with temps at 44 degrees. Images were taken on October 9, 2023

Wood Duck, male

Wood Duck, female

Wood Duck, male

Wood Duck, male preening…

Wood Duck, male

Wood Duck, female

Wood Duck, male first year…

Wood Duck, male

Wood Duck, male

Wood Duck, male

Wood Duck, female

Ross’s Goose at Veterans Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on April 20, 2023

One of my birding stops today provided nice views of a Ross’s Goose in one of the fields at Veterans Park. It was hanging with about 15 Canada Geese feeding on the lawn area. I did not come across any other birds to note at my morning stops, just normal species we see this time of year. It was a nice morning out with some sun, low winds and mild temps around 45 degrees. Images were taken on April 20, 2023

The Ross’s Goose…

Feeding on some grass…

Piece of grass in the bill…

Redhead Ducks on the Fox River in Waukesha County Wisconsin on February 26, 2023

A stop at the Fox River in Waukesha provided nice views of a pair of Redhead Ducks. The male and female centrally located themselves in the middle of the river with pedestrian traffic and dog walkers but it was nice to see a new species of duck there. A few times they found a few things to eat to diving. A beautiful morning with plenty of sunshine, no wind and pleasant temps around 32 degrees early. Images were taken on February 26, 2023.

The pair of Redhead Ducks, male left, female on the right…

The male…

The female…

Just another shot…

Wood Duck at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on February 20, 2023

One of my birding stops today was Greenfield Park. Not much has been going on there but I saw a flock of Mallards land in on a little open water so I thought I would take a closer look. One beautiful looking male Wood Duck was in the flock swimming around with the Mallards. The Wood Duck seemed to be hanging with a female Mallard. Starting to look like a few birds are coming north. Also  I had nice looks at a Red-winged Blackbird. It was cloudy, no wind, nice temps around 43 degrees. Images were taken on February 20, 2023.

The Wood Duck, male…

The Wood Duck hanging with the female Mallard…

 

Mandarin Duck at South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee Wisconsin on February 10, 2023

Word was out that the Mandarin Duck that was seen last December and early January had returned to South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee this morning. If it is the same duck, probably is, it was hiding somewhere else for about the last month. Anyways it put on a nice show this morning and followed a female Mallard around while I was there. It will be interesting if it hangs around. This bird is not a wild bird and considered an escapee, still fun to see. It was a sunny morning but very cold with a good wind out of the north early morning. Images were taken on February 10, 2023.

The Mandarin Duck…

Up on shore for a moment…

In the wave…

Mute Swan on the Fox River at Frame Park in Waukesha on January 15, 2023

One of my birding stops today gave nice views of a Mute Swan at Frame Park on the Fox River in Waukesha. The Mute Swan fed the whole time I was present except for a minute when it did a little preening. The river was fully open with no ice when I was there around 9:00 am. Also present were a handful of Common Goldeneye and of course Mallards along with roughly 200 Canada Geese. A little sun in the morning but started to haze over with mild temps around 32 degrees, low winds. Images were taken on January 15, 2023.

The Mute Swan, just hanging out on the river getting things to eat…

Going down for something to eat…

Just out of the water…

Preening…

 

Trumpeter Swans at the Bark River Trail in Waukesha County on January 9, 2023

One of my birding stops today provided nice looks at 2 Trumpeter Swans at the Bark River Trail in Waukesha County. The Trumpeters fed the whole time I was present. It was stirring the water with their feet, diving and eating what they stirred up. A few Mallards were present always trying to get in by them for that food. It was a pleasant morning with temps around 26 degrees for the start of January and a nice sunny day to go along with that, low winds. Images were taken on January 9, 2023.

One of two Trumpeter Swans present…

Stirring up the river bottom getting food…

Down for food…

Just up from under water…

Feeding, this was typical…

More stirring the river bottom for food…

Going down for feeding…

Mandarin Duck at South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee Wisconsin on December 29, 2022

Word was out that a Mandarin Duck was present at South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee. I have never seen one and being considered one of the most beautiful ducks I decided to make a run down to see if it was present. Yes it was, along with other birders and photographers. This bird is not a wild bird and considered an escapee, still fun to see. What a beautiful bird!! Nice sun in the morning and warming temps near 50 expected. Images were taken on December 29, 2022.

Preening…

In the water at a distance…

Hooded Merganser, juvenile female in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on November 14, 2022

While out birding I came across a beautiful Hooded Merganser that was a juvenile female. It gave nice views for a few minutes before moving off. It was a partly cloudy day with low winds but temperature were around 37 degrees, sorta chilly. Images were taken on November 14, 2022.

The Hooded Merganser…

Down for a drink…

Some preening…

More preening…

In coming…

Nice looking duck…

Just a little shaking off…

Wood Ducks and Mallards in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on October 4, 2022

It was a fun day photographing the beauty of the Wood Ducks and Mallards at a city park in Milwaukee. They were very active at times and sometimes just doing nothing but sitting around.

Wood Duck, male with a crab apple…

Wood Duck, male…

Wood Duck, female with a crab apple…

Wood Duck, male…

Mallard, female with a crab apple…

Wood Duck, male…

Wood Duck, male…

Mallard, female with a crab apple…

Wood Duck, female with a crab apple…

Wood Duck, male stretching…

Wood Duck, male…

Wood Duck, male with a crab apple…

Wood Duck, female

Mallard, female with a crab apple…

Mallard, female, crab apple that got away…

Mallard, female with a crab apple…

Just a good looking Wood Duck, male…

Wood Duck, male…

Wood Duck, male…

Wood Duck, female…with a crab apple…

Wood Duck, male…that wind…

Wood Duck, male…talking…

Brown Booby on the Black River in La Crosse Wisconsin on August 11, 2022

When I saw the report of a Brown Booby being reported in La Crosse Wisconsin it sounded impossible! A bird that lives south of the US in the oceans of Mexico, east and west was a bird I wanted on my WI life list. It was too late in the day to make the run up there as it would be dark but put together a trip for early morning. Jym and Nathanal went along for the ride with me. Leaving at 3 am from Waukesha and arriving at 5:30 am worked out well, a few minutes before light. After about 20 minutes the bird was found opposite the eagle watch parking lot on the other side of the Black River perched in a tree. After about 15 minutes the bird left the perch and flew around some over the open water, eventually landing in the water. The next couple of hours the bird repeated the flying and landing on the water giving excellent views and pretty far for photos every 10 minutes but never came close up but remained towards the other side of the river or body of water opening. What a great find, the original finder of the exciting bird was Tim Collins, and it was actually found 2 days earlier, this being the 3rd day. A big thank you to Tim for getting the word out on this bird. It was a beautiful morning with temps around 60 degrees and no wind and some clouds. I hope it hangs around for a while for others to enjoy. Life bird #370 for my Wisconsin life list.

At first decent light, the Brown Booby was found perched in a tree on the other side of the river…

Brown Booby during one of its flights over the river at a distance…

In flight…

Just floating around, the bird seemed to be comfortable…

In flight, the bird put on a great show!

In flight…

Fulvous Whistling-Duck at Hog Island in Dane County Wisconsin on May 16, 2022

There have been a few birding surprises this spring and they have not stopped showing up yet. In Dane County a Fulvous Whistling-Duck was found and the word got out. We were up north when I saw the post in wisbird, but only a little over an hour drive I thought it was a smart move to head south. This is only the second Wisconsin state record for this bird species so it is very rare here in the state. The normal range for this duck is central Mexico coastlines, South America, Florida east coast and is known to breed on the east Texas coast. I need it on my state life list! No wasting time we arrive and a few birders were around to give some pointers on where to see this gem. With about a 1/4 mile hike walking at top speed I came to a shoreline with other birders, we did not see the duck! After a partial walk back and communication with others we went back to the spot and it was along the shore sorta tucked in. It flew out off of the shore and gave nice views for a few minutes. What a beautiful duck and a new state life bird #366. A big thank you goes out to Marcus Brown for getting the word out on this duck for others to see. As of 4:00 PM 5/17/22, the bird had not been relocated on this day, so one day wonder? It will be interesting to see if this bird is re-found in the days ahead.It was a beautiful day with plenty of sun, low winds. Images were taken on May 16, 2022.

The Fulvous Whistling-Duck about 150 feet from shore…

Incoming…but turned around..

The Fulvous Whistling-Duck with a female Mallard…they hung around together for a few minutes while I was there…

Wood Ducks in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on April 14, 2022

I had the opportunity to photograph some Wood Ducks and did not pass it up. These beautiful ducks gave nice views on a gorgeous sunny day  but with the wind it almost felt like winter. Images were taken on April 14, 2022.

Wood Duck, male

Wood Duck, male

Wood Duck, female

Wood Duck, female

Wood Duck, male

Wood Duck, male

Wood Duck, female

Wood Duck, male

Wood Duck, male

Wood Duck, male

Wood Duck, male on the run…

Ring-necked, Lesser Scaup, Redhead and Common Goldeneye at the Fox River in Waukesha Wisconsin on March 8, 2022

A birding stop at the Fox River in Waukesha early am produced nice views of Ring-necked, Lesser Scaup, Redhead and Common Goldeneye ducks. Also present was 1 American Coot and a lot of Mallards. The main river had a thin layer of ice so these ducks were closer to the dam area on the west side of the river. Most of the time all these ducks were sleeping, but on a few occasions they had their heads up. It was a beautiful morning with sunshine and mild temps around 28 degrees, some wind kept things cold. Images were taken on March 8, 2022.

Common Goldeneye, male stretching…

Lesser Scaup, male

Redhead, male

Redhead, female

Ring-necked Ducks, males

Lesser Scaup, 3 males…

Common Goldeneye, male

Common Goldeneye, male 1st winter…

American Coot

American Coot

Mallard, male

Mallard, female

Mallard, male

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

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…

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

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…

Hooded Merganser in Waukesha County Wisconsin on November 7, 2021

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!

Wood Ducks in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on September 17, 2021

I had the opportunity to photograph some Wood Ducks, juveniles and did not pass it up. These beautiful ducks gave nice views on a gorgeous sunny day with mild temps. Images were taken on September 17, 2021.

Wood Duck, juvenile male…

Wood Duck, juvenile female…

Wood Duck, juvenile male…

Wood Duck, juvenile male…

Wood Duck, juvenile male…

Wood Duck, juvenile males…

Wood Duck, juvenile male…

Wood Duck, juvenile males…

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

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…