Dark-eyed Junco, Oregon Junco at Grant Park in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on December 15, 2016

On a routine bird run along the lakefront in Milwaukee this morning the highlight was the Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon Junco) at Grant Park in Milwaukee County. It was mixed in with about a dozen Common Dark-eyed Juncos. The Oregon is a subspecies of the Dark-eyed Junco who’s normal range is from central Iowa to the west coast. It was cool to see this bird as I have never seen one before. Not considered a countable bird as it is a subspecies. Images were taken on December 15, 2016.

Dark-eyed Junco, Oregon

Dark-eyed Junco, Oregon

Dark-eyed Junco, Oregon

Binomial name: Junco hyemalis

Category: Emberizids

Size: 6.25” long, 9.25” wing span

Weight:  .67 oz

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Dark-eyed Junco, Oregon, on a rock

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Black-legged Kittiwake at the mouth of the Fox River in Green Bay Wisconsin on December 12, 2016

I made the run up to Green Bay early morning to see if the juvenile Black-legged Kittiwake was still present. It was at light broke in the bay area. The bird circled around the east side of the river opening near the old pier walk structure. Typically what I noticed this morning was after a few circles around, it sat out in the water farther out by itself. It did that for 15-20 minutes then did some more hunting and feeding around the structure. For almost an hour it was no where to be seen. As it got towards 10 am I watched it fly way out and landed in with a couple hundred Ring-billed Gulls on a sheet of ice. That is  probably where it was earlier when it was not around as I thought I saw it a few feet off the ice with those gulls but it was very far out confirm. A fun but cold morning, stiff wind made it feel like January. The sun shinned for only for a minute or two. Very cool life bird that I can finally add to my life list. The normal range for this bird is breeding in the arctic on the coasts and winters on the eastern and western US coasts. A big thank you to Willson Gaul for finding this exciting bird and getting the word out to the birding community. Images were taken on December 12, 2016.

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Black-legged Kittiwake

Binomial name: Rissa tridactyla

Category: Gulls, Tern, and Skimmers

Size: 17” long, 36” wing span

Weight: 14 oz

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Preening

Preening

Preening

Preening

A quick dip in the water

A quick dip in the water

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Takeoff

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Townsend’s Warbler at Kewaunee in Kewaunee County Wisconsin on December 9, 2016

I made the trip up to Kewaunee this morning with hopes to see the very rare visitor to Wisconsin, the Townsend’s Warbler. It has been visiting a feeder in a yard there for at least a week now. It is not seen often but visits daily. This bird is a 1st year female. The host Pam S. has many feeders in her yard and this is one of the places this bird visits. I say that as her sister lives 5 blocks away, this bird also visits her feeder too, along with many feeders that can be seen looking up and down the street. A small group of us showed up at the start of the day today which visitors are not allowed till 10:00 am thru 4:00 pm. Surprisingly the bird had stopped in the early morning but showed briefly at about 10:05 am. We all got looks, but images were a different story with his brief visit. Most left but Jay W and I hung around till noon. As I started heading to my car about 12:02, Jay yelled, it is back. We both got nice views and a few shots as it took a drink at the heated bird bath in the yard. This bird has been eating seeds at the feeders. The visit was brief again, we thought it headed up into a large spruce tree on the property. We were both happy with what we got, very cold and headed out. I heard this was the 6th Wisconsin state record for this species, a western bird far from it’s normal range of the north American west coast. What a stunning bird! A big thank you to Pam S. for sharing this amazing bird with the birding community. With very cold temps coming in the state and a big snow blanket coming along with that it will be interesting to see how long it hangs around. An awesome life bird that I just did not think I would be getting anytime soon, but as birding goes, one never really knows. Weather was high in the mid 20’s, some sun with clouds and a lot of north wind, very cold! If visiting for this bird, Pam asks that you view from the driveway. Images were taken on December 9, 2016.

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Townsend’s Warbler

Binomial name: Dendroica townsendi

Category: Wood-Warblers

Size: 5” long, 8” wing span

Weight: 0.31 oz

Getting a drink

Getting a drink

The gulp

The gulp

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Back view

Back view

Townsend's Warbler inside the feeder looking out to the right

Townsend’s Warbler inside the feeder looking out to the right, with an American Goldfinch in front

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Just another shot of this cool bird!

Anna’s Hummingbird continues day 42 in Wauwatosa Wisconsin on December 7, 2016

I got a email late morning from Jennifer the homeowner of the rare Anna’s Hummingbird that was reported in Wauwatosa the earlier part of November. It was still present today December 7th she said, wow! That would make at least 42 day there. Jennifer first saw the bird on October 27, 2016, it may have been there earlier as she was out of town before that. I stopped in for a few documentation photos for her today. I was there a short time mid afternoon. The bird was present the whole time I was there within 10-15 feet of the nectar feeders she has up. When not at the nectar feeder it perched on a couple of branches in a honeysuckle.  Amazing that it is still hanging around and no more flowers in her yard appeared to be blooming.  Jennifer is not taking any visitors at this time to view the bird. Once again, a big thank you to her for sharing this bird earlier in late November with the birding community when she could. It will be interesting if it hangs around with the very cold weather coming with minus temps. A mostly cloudy afternoon with temps below freezing with light winds. Images were taken on December 7, 2016.  UPDATE: The Anna’s Hummingbird was last seen on December 14, 2016. The Anna’s Hummingbird stayed at least 49 days in the Wauwatosa yard!

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Preening

Preening

Preening

Preening

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This image shows the band on the leg, this bird was banded on November 14, 2016 in the yard

Wing stretch

Wing stretch

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A link to the earlier blog post of the Anna’s Hummingbird I put up when it first showed up in November 2016 if you care to view it:

Anna’s Hummingbird at Wauwatosa in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on November 15, 2016

American Kestrel at the Milwaukee Lakefront on November 30, 2016

Birding along Milwaukee’s lakefront this morning, the highlight was an adult male American Kestrel coming in for a landing to a tree. The rest of the lakefront was very quiet with only a few winter ducks. The King Eider was still being seen off of Northpoint but very far out.

American Kestrel coming in for a landing

American Kestrel coming in for a landing

American Kestrel

Binomial name: Falco sparverius

Category: Caracaras and Falcons

Size: 9” long, 22” wing span

Weight: 4.1 oz

Cool facts: I’ve also heard it called a sparrow hawk

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It did not hang around!

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Anna’s Hummingbird at Wauwatosa in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on November 15, 2016

I got an email from a friend Kathi R. that a Anna’s Hummingbird was visiting her friend Jennifer’s yard in Wauwatosa Wisconsin. This rare visiting bird is a young male. Jennifer wanted images of the bird and asked me to try for some. Jennifer for many reasons could not have the general public stopping over at this time. Now she has given permission for others to come see this stunning Anna’s Hummingbird 11/18/16. I felt very fortunate to have the opportunity to do this and did not pass it up. Jennifer said she noticed the Anna’s Hummingbird in her yard going back to at least October 27, 2016, so who knows how long the bird has been there? This bird was banded on November 14, 2016 by Cynthia B along with her assistant Paula S. in Jennifer’s yard. I arrived the day after the banding on November 15 and the bird was present for most of the time I was there from 8am-1pm. The bird only hit the nectar feeders once in that period. Amazingly, Jennifer still had very many blooming plants in her yard for this bird to get nectar from. For the time I was there, the bird mostly perched on a telephone line or in a honeysuckle bush, preening and resting. It feed a few times on some flowering plants out of view, and a couple times in the more open. Jennifer considers herself a hummingbird, butterfly and bee enthusiast, her small yard is filled with plants and acts as an oases for hummingbirds in the fall, probably why the Anna’s Hummingbird is there, and hung around so long. All her hard work with habitat in her yard has paid off with the reward of an Anna’s Hummingbird! The morning started out foggy and then turned to cloudy skies with cool winds from the west for the duration of my visit. I did not see this bird in the sunlight, I bet it sparkles to no end! The normal range for this bird is west coast of the US, western Canada up into southern Alaska. 1 or 2 Anna’s seem to be seen here in Wisconsin every fall, but I am not sure on those numbers. Images were taken on November 15, 2016.

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Anna’s Hummingbird

Binomial name: Calypte anna

Category: Hummingbirds

Size: 4″ long, 5.25” wingspan

Weight: 0.15 oz

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Mute Swans at Bay View in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on November 10, 2016

3 Mute Swans have been hanging around along the lake shore on Lake Michigan in Bay View the last few days. I actually stumbled across them feeding while birding today. Took a few shots to share as not much else was going on today along the lake. This exotic species was brought over from Europe in the 1800’s for ornamental additions to parks and estates. The species is now heavily managed in Wisconsin and other states in USA. Beautiful day out there along with full sun, mild temps for November with a stiff wind. Images were taken on November 10, 2016.

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Mute Swan

Binomial name: Cygnus olor

Category: Ducks, Geese, and Swans

Size: 60” long, 75” wing span

Weight: 22 lb

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They eat underwater vegetation

They eat underwater vegetation in shallow water

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They eat underwater vegetation in shallow water

They eat underwater vegetation in shallow water

Preening

Preening

More preening

More preening

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Preening

Preening

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Dunlins and a Sanderling at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin on October 27, 2016

I made a run to the lakefront early this morning to see what was going on. McKinley Beach had 2 Dunlins and a Sanderling. I hung out there for awhile as the feed along the beach, preened, etc. After a while it just looked like these birds were ready for a nap. They moved up to a log on the beach, preened and then 2 were sleeping when out of the corner of my eye a pedestrian was coming, the birds flushed out over the water and I could not see where they were headed. I checked back awhile later after doing the Magic Hedge and all 3 birds were no where to be seen. It was a nice show they put on for the time I was there. Another species new today were ~25 Greater Scaups at the Petroleum Pier. It was a gloomy day with low winds and mild temps for this time of year. Images were taken on October 27, 2016.

Dunlin

Dunlin

Dunlin

Binomial name: Calidris alpina

Category: Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies

Size: 8.5” long, 17” wing span

Weight: 2.1 oz

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The pair

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Feeding

Feeding

Feeding

Feeding

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Was feeding

Sanderling

Sanderling

Feedinig

Feedinig

Feeding

Feeding

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Sanderling

Sanderling with a wave in the background

Feeding

Feeding

The pair

The pair

Feeding

Feeding

Preening

Preening

Up at the log they are preening

Up at the log they are preening and getting ready for a snooze!

Preening

Preening

Preening

Preening

Preening

Preening

Preening

Preening

2 of 3 are sleeping

2 of 3 are snoozing

Western Grebe at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on October 24, 2016

I made a run down to Milwaukee’s lakefront this morning to see if the Western Grebe was still present. It was, and I located the bird east of Discovery World but it was on the move and headed south. It spent the rest of the morning at the south end of Lakeshore State Park on the lake side. The bird has hung around now for at least 6 days. It typically hangs out with American Coots but sometimes was seen near Mallards too. A stunning bird out of it’s normal range from the dakotas and west just visiting our area. How long will it hang around? I guess time will tell. A sunny morning with some clouds early, cold northeast winds off the lake, it felt like winter is coming. Images were taken on October 24, 2016.

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Western Grebe

Binomial name: Aechmophorus occidentalis

Category: Grebes

Size: 25” long, 24” wing span

Weight: 3.3 lb

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Preening

Preening

Best friends!

Best friends!

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Preening

Preening

Coming around the corner

Coming around the corner

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Western Grebe in the Milwaukee Harbor at Veterans Park on October 21, 2016

I had wanted to see the Western Grebe that was recently reported on Milwaukee’s Lakefront but was tied up until today. I went down to the lakefront early this morning and found the Western Grebe northeast of the Art Museum. The normal range for this bird is the dakotas and west which makes well out its of its range and a great visitor. It never came close to the shore but stayed a distance to give nice views with binoculars. The grebe really did no diving for food the first hour, but then that changed for the next couple hours as it did some diving. With pedestrians walking the walk along the shore for the time I was there I think that kept it from coming in close, my opinion. A few fishing boats that came into the harbor moved it around the area too, sometimes moving it pretty far out. The bird seemed nervous at times, who knows why. Not a life bird for me as I got the one at Bradford Beach back on 11/2010. Thanks to Lorri for finding this cool bird, and sharing it. A sunny sky to start the day but it then soon clouded over with stiff winds and cold temps from the north. Images were taken on October 21, 2016.

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Western Grebe

Binomial name: Aechmophorus occidentalis

Category: Grebes

Size: 25” long, 24” wing span

Weight: 3.3 lb

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Back view

Back view

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Preening

Preening

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The stretch!

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Brings up a fish and goes back under water with it?

Brings up a fish and goes back under water with it?

Purple Gallinule at Mauston in Juneau County Wisconsin on October 13, 2016

The beautiful adult Purple Gallinule was present when I arrived in Mauston this morning. The normal range for this bird is Florida, so very rare for Wisconsin. Someone said, was it the recent hurricane? The Purple Gallinule hung with a couple of Mallard Ducks and an Indian Runner Duck. At times it was far from the mallards eating along the shores within the brush in the ditch. At times too it was not in sight, hidden in the grasses and not moving around much. The colors on this bird are breathtaking. I did see it fly twice, just an amazing bird blue bird in the air. Thanks to Jeri for finding this rare bird and sharing, obviously a life bird for me! It was mostly cloudy in Mauston while I was present with mild temps, no wind. Images were taken on October 13, 2016.

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Purple Gallinule

Binomial name: Porphyrula martinica

Category: Rails, Gallinules, and Coots

Size: 13” long, 22” wing span

Weight: 8 oz

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Typically it was feeding in the brush along the ditch shore

Typically it was feeding in the brush along the ditch shore

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Indian Summer Duck??

Indian Runner Duck

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Indian Runner Duck

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Early morning sun in the grasses

Early morning sun in the grasses

Early morning sun in the grasses

Early morning sun in the grasses

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Rusty Blackbird at Echo Park in Burlington Wisconsin on October 2, 2016

While watching the Great Egrets at Echo Park in Burlington Wisconsin this morning we were side tracked by a bird at the edge of a grassy small island. Janet S spotted the bird, thank you! When it came out into the open more I immediately knew it was a Rusty Blackbird by those cool colors.  A really great find, as this bird is just not seen often enough. The bird moved towards the dam, behind some grass and they flew east into a tall tree on the bigger island and that was the last we saw of it. On such a dreary, misty and rainy day, this was the highlight and a nice one! Images were taken on  October 2, 2016.

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Rusty Blackbird

Binomial name: Euphagus carolinus

Category: Blackbirds

Size: 9” long, 14” wing span

Weight: 2.1 oz

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Looking for small bugs on the leaf I would think

Looking for small bugs on the leaf I would think

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Takeoff!

Going to another rock!

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Great Egrets at Echo Park in Burlington Wisconsin on September 29, 2016

I made a couple of stops out at Echo Park in Burlington Wisconsin as some Great Egrets were being reported there at the dam. Nice numbers of 10-15 were present when I was there. I think numbers are down from a few days ago. These birds put on an amazing show while I was there! They all seemed to be fishing while I was present but only a few fish were actually caught. Some of the other things I enjoyed watching was the preening, some interaction when a fish was caught or sometimes just relaxing. It is a sight to see as these amazing birds will soon be heading south. Weather conditions were overcast skies for the most part with some wind and cool fall like temps. Images were taken on September 28-29, 2016.

A fluffed up!

All fluffed up!

Great Egret

Binomial name: Ardea alba

Category: Bittern, Herons, and Allies

Size: 39” long, 51” wing span

Weight: 1.9 lb

Hanging out

Hanging out

Moving around above the dam

Moving around above the dam

The beauty!

Incoming

Coming in for a landing

The landing

The stop

The stop

The catch!

The catch!

Takes the catch away to avoid the other egrets trying to take it away

Takes the catch away to avoid the other egrets trying to take it

Above the dam it takes the catch

Above the dam it takes the catch

Incoming

The landing

The stop

The stop

Just coming through

Just coming through

From the top of the dam down

From the top of the dam down

Just beauty

Just beauty

Fishing

Fishing

A pair on top of the dam

A pair on top of the dam

Preening

Preening

Rest

Resting

More preening

More preening

More preening

More preening

Checking things out

Checking things out

The itch

The itch

Coming through

Coming through

Another catch and to the top of the dam

Another catch and to the top of the dam

A place to eat

Wondering where to go now

Just going to go somewhere

Just coming through gang!

Stretching

Stretching

Fishing

Fishing

Fishing

Fishing

Fishing

Fishing

More fishing

More fishing

Moving around

Moving around

The flight

The flight

Fishing

Fishing

Fishing

Fishing

Fishing

Fishing

Fishing

Another catch

Another catch

Squeeze the fish

The close-up

The close-up

To the top of the dam, less egrets to fight off for the catch

To the top of the dam, less egrets to fight off for the catch

Believe it or not, it catches this fish and eats it

Believe it or not, it catches this fish and eats it

A little preening above the dam

A little preening above the dam

Walking the dam

Walking the dam

Walking the dam

Walking the dam

Turns around, walks the other way

Turns around, walks the other way

A little more preening

A little more preening

Resting

Resting

More preening

More preening

The landing

The landing

Back to fishing

Scratching

And more fishing

And more fishing

Pose on the dam

Pose on the dam

Walking the dam

Walking the dam

Great Egret with a Great Blue Heron

Great Egret with a Great Blue Heron

Two fishing Great Egrets

A fishing pair

Stalking the prey in the grass

Stalking the prey in the grass

Just being me

Just being me

Moving to a new fishing place

Moving to a new fishing place

Serious fishing

Serious fishing

The catch!

The catch!

The catch!

The catch!

Parasitic Jaegers at Wisconsin Point prior to Jaegerfest Weekend in Superior Wisconsin on September 21, 2016

I made the run up with Bill G and Ryan S to Wisconsin Point in Superior Wisconsin for a taste of what Jaegerfest, the coming weekend was all about. It was a great time watching at least 4 Parasitic Jaegers chase gulls for the food they were carrying. After leaving Waukesha at midnight and arriving at Wisconsin Point by 5:00 am we had a few minutes before a beautiful sunrise. At sun up Parasitic Jaeger action started and continued about every 15 minutes till we left around 11:00 am. The action and speed of these birds could not be captured in images, it was amazing event to see! A couple of American Avocets also did a flyby off the shore with nice views. The bird of the day for me was the Sabine’s Gulls, a flock of 2 and then 4, a state lifer! The Sabine’s Gulls stayed out very far from shore and only gave distant views. A fun day with birding friends and meeting a few new ones too. The time we were there, it was mostly sunny and mild temps in the 60’s with steady winds off the lake. Images were taken on September 21, 2016.

Parasitic Jaeger

Parasitic Jaeger (3rd year sub-adult)

Parasitic Jaeger

Binomial name: Stercorarius parasiticus

Category: Skuas and Jaegers

Size: 16.5″, adult to 20″ long, 46” wingspan

Weight: 1 Lb

Parasitic Jaeger

Parasitic Jaeger (3rd year sub-adult)

Parasitic Jaeger

Parasitic Jaeger (3rd year sub-adult)

Parasitic Jaeger (3rd year sub-adult)

Parasitic Jaeger (3rd year sub-adult)

Parasitic Jaeger chasing a gull

Parasitic Jaeger, juvenile, chasing a gull

Parasitic Jaeger, juvenile, chasing a gull

Parasitic Jaeger, juvenile, chasing a gull

A Parasitic Jaeger disrupts a group of gulls chasing a gull

A Parasitic Jaeger comes into an area of water where gulls are sitting and the area irrupts and the jaeger typically chases a bird with food in its mouth

A Parasitic Jaeger disrupts a group of gulls chasing a gull

A Parasitic Jaeger comes into an area of water where gulls are sitting and the area irrupts and the jaeger typically chasesa bird with food in its mouth

Parasitic Jaeger

Parasitic Jaeger, juvenile

Parasitic Jaeger, juvenile

Parasitic Jaeger, juvenile

Parasitic Jaeger, juvenile

Parasitic Jaeger, juvenile

Parasitic Jaeger, juvenile

Parasitic Jaeger, juvenile

Parasitic Jaeger

Parasitic Jaeger (3rd year sub-adult)

American Avocets

American Avocets

American Avocets

American Avocets

American Avocet

American Avocet

American Avocets

American Avocets

American Avocets

American Avocets

American Avocets

American Avocets

American Avocets

American Avocets

American Avocets

American Avocets

American Avocets

American Avocets

Some of the gang waiting for the next jaeger to come in!

Some of the gang waiting for the next jaeger to come in!

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Scarlet Sage in Waukesha County Wisconsin on September 16, 2016

We still have Ruby-throated Hummingbirds hanging around the yard here in Waukesha County. The hummers have favored the Scarlet Sage and Zinna plants for the most part but often frequent the nectar feeders too.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Scarlet Sage

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Scarlet Sage

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Binomial name: Archilochus colubris

Category: Hummingbirds

Description: Metallic green feathers on back, grayish-white on underparts.  Males have a vibrant red throat which may appear dark in poor lighting. Wings are dark gray, almost black.  Long, slender bill is black in color and mostly straight with a slight curve at the tip.

Size: 2.8″-3.5″ long, 3” – 4” wingspan

Weight: 0.071 oz. – 0.21 oz.

Habitat: Broadleaf and pine forests, orchards, meadows, parks, and gardens

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Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Scarlet Sage

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Scarlet Sage

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Scarlet Sage

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Scarlet Sage

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Scarlet Sage

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Scarlet Sage

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Scarlet Sage

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Scarlet Sage

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Scarlet Sage

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Scarlet Sage

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Scarlet Sage

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on a Zinna

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on a Zinna

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on a Zinna

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on a Zinna

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on a Zinna

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on a Zinna

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on a Zinna

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on a Zinna

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on a Zinna

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on a Zinna

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on a Zinna

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on a Zinna

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on a Zinna

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on a Zinna

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on a Zinna

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on a Zinna

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on a Zinna

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on a Zinna

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on a Zinna

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on a Zinna

Greater White-fronted Goose on the Fox River in Waukesha Wisconsin on September 14, 2016

I was on my way home from birding the quiet lakefront this morning in Milwaukee when I got a text from Dan Wutkowski. The text was of a Greater White-fronted Goose that had just landed on the Fox River in downtown Waukesha. Thank you Dan! It had just landed in with a flock of Canada Geese that just arrived. When I arrived at the location in Waukesha it was in the middle of the river hanging with the Canada Geese. It remained there for about 20 minutes with the geese. Then out of the corner of my eye I saw some geese doing some wing splashing. After that I looked for the Greater White-fronted Goose and it was no longer present. This bird is considered rare for this date at this location. Short lived event but was a treat to see this bird! Images were taken on September 14, 2016

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Greater White-fronted Goose

Binomial name: Anser albifrons

Category: Ducks, Geese, and Swans

Size: 28” long, 53” wing span

Weight: 4.8 lb

Greater White-fronted Goose hanging out in the middle of the river with Canada Geese

Greater White-fronted Goose hanging out in the middle of the river with Canada Geese, it usually stayed with the flock

Greater White-fronted Goose with a Canada Goose

Greater White-fronted Goose going down for some food

Greater White-fronted Goose with a Canada Goose

Greater White-fronted Goose with a Canada Goose

Greater White-fronted Goose stretching

Greater White-fronted Goose stretching

Greater White-fronted Goose stretching

Greater White-fronted Goose stretching

Greater White-fronted Goose stretching

Greater White-fronted Goose stretching

Greater White-fronted Goose stretching

Greater White-fronted Goose stretching

Greater White-fronted Goose stretching

Greater White-fronted Goose stretching

Greater White-fronted Goose stretching

Greater White-fronted Goose stretching

Greater White-fronted Goose hanging with the flock Canada Goose

Greater White-fronted Goose hanging with the flock of Canada Geese

Greater White-fronted Goose, looks like a little pressure is being put on here by the Canada Geese

Greater White-fronted Goose, looks like a little pressure is being put on here by the Canada Geese

Greater White-fronted Goose

Greater White-fronted Goose

Greater White-fronted Goose hanging out

Greater White-fronted Goose hanging out

Ruby-throated Hummingbird feeding a chick on the nest in Walworth County Wisconsin on September 4, 2016

I was fortunate to get the opportunity to photograph a Ruby-throated Hummingbird on the nest feeding a chick and did not pass it up. Running into Anne Morretti out birding, she mentioned 2 of her birding friends Joann and Monica had an active bird nest. I followed the excitement of the event for a couple of weeks from the first moment of seeing a nest with a female sitting on it, the tiny beak from the chick above the nest, till the day the bird fledged. There was just one chick and the female was always hanging around of course. Once in awhile a male was seen, but I never saw it near the nest. To find a Ruby-throated Hummingbird nest, you just have to be in the right place at the right time when an adult goes to the nest, and they were. The nests are just so tiny! A big thank you to Monica, Joann and Anne for sharing this event. A difficult event to photograph as lighting changed by the second, up in a dark tree and the branches were always moving so I apologize for any poor quality images as some I thought should be included in this post. I have put the images in order as the way they happened. Images were taken from August 22, 2016 thru September 4, 2016.

It all started here.......The female adult Ruby-throated Hummingbird sitting on the nest...

It all started here…….The female adult Ruby-throated Hummingbird sitting on the nest…

The nest, up in a large tree tree

The nest, up in a large tree is about 2″ across and 1″ deep

At this point, not even sure if there is a chick in the nest or and egg...

At this point, not even sure if there is a chick in the nest or an egg, is she just house cleaning?

She sits on the nest, and out comes a feather, still don't know if was laying in the nest from her or is off a chick?

She sits on the nest, and out comes a feather, still don’t know if the feather was laying in the nest from her earlier or is off a chick?

Then the moment, a beak is seen poking up from the nest...

Then the moment, a beak is seen poking up from the nest, it is a chick!

The chick is growing fast, there is "Mom"

The chick is growing fast, there is the female on the branch along with the chick in the nest, calling “Mom”!

Waiting for food

Waiting for food

The female lands on the nest with some food...

The female lands on the nest with some food…

The feeding begins

The feeding begins

The feeding continues...

The feeding continues…

The feeding continues...

The feeding continues down deep…

And they take a short break

The end of the first portion

And the take a short break

And they take a short break

And they start right up and the feeding continues

And they start right up and the feeding continues

And it contiues

And it continues down deep

End of the 2 part feeding which I saw often

End of the 2 part feeding which I saw often

Nothing goes to waste...

Nothing goes to waste…

pp

A very short rest after feeding, then the female leaves the nest till the next feeding that were running about 15-20 minutes apart

I will be back soon

I’m leaving for now

I will be back soon, chick in the back ground "Mom"!

I will be back soon, chick in the background “Mom”!

Female perches in a near by tree on a branch within sight of the nest for awhile typically after feeding the chick

Female perches in a near by tree on a branch within sight of the nest for awhile typically after feeding the chick

Spreading the wings and doing some fluttering, practicing up for the first flight out of the nest to a near by branch

Stretching those wings

Preening and working that tongue

Preening and working that tongue

Two birds in one nest, I think the female was trying to open the nest up more which is what they do as the chick grows

Two birds in one nest, I think the female was trying to open the nest up more which is what they do as the chick grows, the nest expands

Preening

Preening

Just about time to fly, but the chick fledged on September 4, 2016 about 9:00 am. I hope they are all doing well now!

Spreading those wings…

Just about time to fly, but the chick fledged on September 4, 2016 about 9:00 am. I hope they are all doing well now!

Just about time to fly, the chick fledged on September 4, 2016 about 9:00 am. I hope they are all doing well!

Green Herons at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on August 30, 2016

With a slower time of the year for birding, Greenfield Park in Milwaukee always seems to have something going on. I stopped in there this morning and watched a few of the Green Herons present doing their thing, fishing, preening or just hanging out. While observing the Green Herons today the ate small fish. These appear to be first summer Green Herons born in 2015. A few Great Blue Herons were also present today but no Black-crowned Night-Herons were seen. Images were taken on August 30, 2016.

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Green Heron

Binomial name: Buborides virescens

Category: Bitterns, Herons, and Allies

Size: 18” long, 26” wing span

Weight: 7 oz

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Preening

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Preening

With a feather

With a feather

Fishing

Fishing

Gets the fish!

Gets the fish!

Fishing

Fishing

Fishing

Fishing

Fishing

Fishing

Fishing

Fishing

Fishing

Fishing

Scratching

Scratching

Fishing

Fishing

Scratching

Scratching

Fishing

Fishing

Fishing

Fishing

Great Blue Heron with a Bullhead

Great Blue Heron with a Bullhead

Sneaking through the water looking for its next snack

Sneaking through the water looking for its next snack

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Just hanging out

White-winged Dove at Argyle in Lafayette County Wisconsin on July 17, 2016

I decided to try for the rare White-winged Dove that was reported a while back, late June in Lafayette County. With some complied information I tried my luck and the bird was found. The location of this bird was not revealed at the time because of the location. With recent updates I have received, the bird has not been seen for some time now. The bird had been hanging around this location, the town of Argyle for a couple of weeks at the time and I had been serious about getting this bird on my life list. I headed out early in the morning back on the 17th of July just as some storms were passing through the area but great weather was on the horizon. As I pulled up at the reported location, still inside the car, I heard the unique call of the White-winged Dove. I got out of the car and within a minute or so I spotted the bird high up in a deciduous tree. With a pretty good looks, at that time I confirmed the life bird. After a minute or so it flew to a very high spruce tree, from tall spruce tree to tall spruce tree it flew in couple block radius, seemed to be making the rounds. The bird did a lot of horizontal gliding when it flew so it was difficult to get a lot of the white winged action photographed of this bird. The bird also called often from each tree it went to so when I did lose it a couple times, it did not take long to re-locate it. After awhile it did leave the area and so did I. A great day birding with nice temperatures and some sun. Images were taken on July 17, 2016. The normal range for this bird is southern parts of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. Many thanks to the finder of this bird and information provided.

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White-winged Dove

Binomial name: Zenaida asiatica

Category: Pigeons and Doves

Size: 11.5” long, 19” wing span

Weight: 5 oz

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Preening

Preening

The bill

The bill

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This bird did a lot of tree-top to tree-top flying in the very small town of Argyle

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The White-winged Dove typically hung out on tall spruce trees in the small town of Argyle

!st view of the White-winged Dove high up in a deciduous tree after arriving to the area

After getting out of the car and locating the bird by the call, this was the 1st view of the White-winged Dove high up in a deciduous tree

Juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron Catching Fish at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on August 14, 2016

I checked out Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County this morning to see what was happening. Surprisingly the park seems to always have something happening with birds. There have been a couple of juvenile Black-crowned Night-Herons hanging around. Today when I was present one of the Black-crowned Night-Herons gave nice views fishing and catching some fish too. When I was present one ate 3 fish, 2 larger bullheads and 1 smaller minnow size. Another juvenile sat up in a tree farther away and rested while I was there. It was a beautiful morning out with mild temps and mostly sunny skies. Images were taken on August 14, 2016.

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Black-crowned Night-Heron

Binomial name: Nycticorax nycticorax

Category: Bitterns, Herons, and Allies

Size: 25” long, 44” wing span

Weight: 1.9 lb

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Fishing

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Fishing

Fishing

Fishing

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Catches 1st Bullhead and moves onto shore

Works on the Bullhead to kill it

Works on killing the Bullhead

Lays it on the shore then stabs it

Lays it on the shore then stabs it

Still working on killing the Bullhead

Still working on killing the Bullhead

Ready to swallow this fish

Ready to swallow this fish

Swallowed the fish but did not change positions, but you can see the neck size has increased

Swallowed the fish but did not change positions, but you can see the neck size has increased

Leaf in mouth

Leaf in mouth

Eats the minnow size fish

Eats the minnow size fish

Catches Bullhead #2

Catches Bullhead #2

Stilling killing Bullhead #2

Still killing Bullhead #2

Fishing off shore...

Fishing off shore…

Serious fishing off the log

Serious fishing off the log

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More fishing...

More fishing…

Another big catch!

Next is the big catch!

Hanging out

Hanging out

Preening

Preening