Short-eared Owl at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on October 28, 2017

Doing some birding along the lakefront in Milwaukee, the highlight this morning was a beautiful Short-eared Owl that took flight at Lakeshore State Park when some walkers flushed it near to where I was. The owl flew off but then returned a couple minutes later. It gave nice views but I looked away for a moment and then back and it was gone. I never saw it leave or where it went. Another bird to note for the morning was a beautiful Glaucous Gull far out from Bradford Beach, the first sighting of the fall that I know of on the Milwaukee lakefront. It was hanging with ~100 Red-breasted Mergansers. I returned a little later and none of the above species were present. It was a pretty cold morning with stiff winds out of the NW, cloudy skies. Still a fun morning out birding. Images were taken on October 28, 2017.

Short-eared Owl, looking over the area after a return flight from out on the big lake…

Short-eared Owl

Binomial name: Asio flammeus

Category: Typical Owls

Size: 15” long, 38” wing span

Weight: 12 oz

Note: Breeds in parts of  northern and southern Canada and all of Alaska in the summer. Winters in parts of the midwest, southern US and both east and west coast of the US.

Short-eared Owl, coming back to shore after a flight out over the water…

Short-eared Owl, looking over the area after a return flight from out on the big lake…

Just looking around…

Glaucous Gull, 2nd cycle out from Bradford Beach

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About admin

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.

10 Responses to Short-eared Owl at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on October 28, 2017

  1. Karen Weiss says:

    It’s once again some magnificent pictures ,thank you for the info .I learn so much from your site .

  2. Adel Korkor says:

    You never cease to amaze me Jim!
    Keep at it.
    Great photos.

  3. Kathi L Johnson Rock says:

    Such great images Jim. We have four owl boxes ready and we are waiting for our Eastern Screech Owls to return—can’t wait!!

    Thank you for inspiring all of us with your wonderful photos.

  4. Annie says:

    Awesome , clear pics. We have been seeing them at Killsnake Nature Center the last week and have been waiting for the perfect picture. Thanks for sharing all your fabulous finds.

  5. Nan Wisherd says:

    You were certainly in the right place at the right time. Beautiful photos!

  6. Thomas Wood says:

    Great photos again, Jim. How wonderful for you to see and photograph the bird in daylight, since this is a bird most often seen at dusk.

  7. Elaine Swanson says:

    What a remarkable bird – such drama in his flight over the water, wings the color of fall foliage. Such intensity in his face, a touch of humor in the tufts. You’ve really captured his spirit, Jim!

  8. Gerald Haiar says:

    Beautiful shots again. We are the benefactors of your hard work. Thank you !

  9. Laura Wentz says:

    Lovely photos! And what cool birds.

  10. Mike Rickard says:

    Owls are incredibly complex creatures. Through the centuries, they’ve become ingrained into mythology because of their amazing hunting abilities, their fierceness, and their seeming ties to the supernatural. The more I learn about owls, the more I realize I know little about them. I could spend a lifetime watching them interacting with nature and learn so much. Thanks for sharing the pictures of one of Milwaukee’s beautiful owls.

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