Ring-necked Duck at the Fox River in Waukesha Wisconsin on October 26, 2017

I stopped at the Fox River in Waukesha this morning to do a bird check. Going through group of about 8 Mallards on the other side of the river surprisingly hidden with them was a single male Ring-necked Duck.  The Mallards saw me, they thought I had bread, came across … Continue reading

Lesser Yellowlegs at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on October 23, 2017

Birding the lakefront in Milwaukee this morning was generally quiet. A Lesser Yellowlegs at Lakeshore State Park was probably the highlight in the places I stopped at. It did a little feeding and after awhile just took off and went east to the big lake. Other birds to note, a … Continue reading

House Finches eating apples in the tree on the Milwaukee Lakefront on October 17, 2017

Birding along the lake this morning was quiet for the most part. McKinley Beach had 3 Sanderlings. These numbers seem to change daily there at that beach. Lakeshore State Park still had the Redhead Duck and 2 Pied-billed Grebes along with many American Coots and Double-crested Cormorants. A few American … Continue reading

Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on October 15, 2017

A stop at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee provided nice views of both the Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs. A total of 4 Greaters and 1 Lesser. When I arrive early about 7:15, just the 4 Greaters were present. After a few minutes the Lesser Yellowlegs showed up. They look tired … Continue reading

Sanderlings at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin on October 6, 2017

A stop at McKinley Beach this morning in Milwaukee gave brief views of 8 Sanderlings feeding pretty much non-stop. Also present were the commonly seen Ring-billed Gulls at this location. After only a couple minutes a dog approached the area and all the birds flushed with the Sanderlings heading south. … Continue reading

Great Blue Heron feeding moments at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on September 22, 2017

A Great Blue Heron was seriously fishing this morning at Greenfield Park putting on a great show while I watched from a distance. This young bird ate and ate with very few misses and twice captured 2 Flathead minnows at once while I was there. It eyed some of its … Continue reading

Black-bellied Plover at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on September 15, 2017

Heading down to the lakefront in Milwaukee this morning my first stop was Lakeshore State Park. A Black-bellied Plover, juvenile was present at the beach area. The Black-bellied Plover fed back and forth on the beach. Also present was the first Northern Shoveler for the fall at the park. It … Continue reading

Sanderlings and Semipalmated Sandpipers at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin on September 10, 2017

A brief stop at the McKinley Beach this morning provided nice views of 2 Sanderlings and 2 Semipalmated Sandpipers. One of the Sanderlings was transitioning into nonbreeding plumage and still had some of its breeding plumage, an interesting look. The birds fed on the algae mat at the beach. Other … Continue reading

Herons at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on September 4, 2017

I stopped at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee this morning to see what was going on. A Black-crowned Night Heron, Green Herons and Great Blue Herons were present. They gave nice views, being the Black-crowned Night Heron and Great Blue Heron were immature, there was not much action. They just were … Continue reading

Ruddy Turnstones at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin on September 3, 2017

My first stop this morning on Milwaukee’s lakefront was McKinley Beach. Guess there were at least 25 shorebirds. Mostly Sanderlings, a Least Sandpiper, and  few Semipalmated Plovers. Also present were 2 Ruddy Turnstones which are always exciting birds. They feed in the more stony areas of the beach turning over … Continue reading

Whooping Crane juveniles in training at Operation Migration at the White River Marsh State Wildlife Area in Wisconsin on August 31, 2017

The Whooping Crane juveniles, 7 of them, have been in training at the White River Marsh State Wildlife Area for the last couple of months. Viewing is now open to public. A birding friend of mine, Karen Schoenike reserved the blind and I was able join her for the big event … Continue reading

Shorebirds at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on August 23, 2017

Stopping at a few locations this morning along the lake, Lakeshore State Park was the highlight with some beautiful shorebirds. The beach there gave nice views of the birds as they fed. Birds included a Least Sandpiper, mostly Semipalmated Sandpipers, a couple Semipalmated Plovers and a Sanderling. Images were taken … Continue reading

Green Heron perched in the hedge at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on August 20, 2017

One of the highlights today at Greenfield Park was a juvenile Green Heron perched in a hedge north of the large pond. It was a highlight because it was a slower day than the usual there plus you typically see these birds on the pond perched on a stick. 4 … Continue reading

Showy Sunflower, wildflowers on wildflowers on August 15, 2017

With the Showy Sunflower blooming away these days I took advantage of the opportunity and tried to make something with them. This sunflower, a stunning native to Wisconsin is Helianthus laetiflorus. Images were taken in Waukesha County on August 15, 2017. Showy Sunflower Binomial name: Helianthus laetiflorus Habitat: Prairie, grows … Continue reading

Giant Swallowtail Butterfly gathering nectar from the Smooth Phlox in Waukesha County Wisconsin on August 8, 2017

I saw a Giant Swallowtail in the yard hovering around the native Smooth Phlox this afternoon. I went out and took a few images of this stunning butterfly in action going from plant to plant gathering nectar. One thing to note is that the wings on this species never stop … Continue reading