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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.

Sandhill Cranes in Delafield in Waukesha County Wisconsin on December 7, 2025

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One of my birding stops today gave nice views of 15 Sandhill Cranes present along the Bark River in Delafield Waukesha County. Two Sandhill Crane colts were in the flock. With the cold temperatures like today at 19 degrees they don’t do much other than get a few things to eat on occasion in the river, some preening and just standing around conserving energy. A Great Blue Heron was also present. The heron did not move at all when I was there, thinking it was just taking it easy like the cranes. The Sandhill Cranes hangout at this location into winter as the river does not freeze till later if it does at all. Today was sunny skies, a little wind and temps around 19 degrees. Images were taken on December 7, 2025.

Sandhill Cranes, and adult left, colt right…

A colt finding something to eat maybe…

Sandhill Cranes…

Colt with something in the bill…

Looking for something to eat I would assume…

4 of the 15 Sandhill Cranes present, adults…

Colt…

Missed something here…

Just got a drink…

Snow Buntings at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on October 29, 2025

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A stop today at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee along the lakefront gave nice views of 4 Snow Buntings. They have been reported there. The Snow Buntings continually found seeds to eat. Typical places they always find seeds here at the park are in the short grass areas,  along sidewalk edges, on the rocks and cracks in the walks. Seeds blow around this time of year and end up at those locations. I’ve seen them jump up to low grasses and plants to get seeds but did not see that today in the mowed areas. It was very windy at the lakefront with northwest winds, the sun made it doable today to enjoy the show that these beautiful birds put on. Images were taken on October 29, 2025.

The Snow Bunting on the rocks with the wind blowing…

Finding seeds along the walk…

Here there were seeds too in the grass area…

Here the Snow Bunting with a seed in the bill…

Here the Snow Bunting was getting seeds to eat in the cracks on the sidewalk…

Such a beautiful bird!

American Bittern at Humboldt Park in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on October 20, 2025

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There had been reports of an American Bittern at Humboldt Park in Milwaukee County. This morning I thought I would try for it. As I walked halfway around the pond at the park, there it was out in the open 20 feet off shore. It pretty much did nothing as I watched it for about 20 minutes with no one around other than a few walkers. After the wait time it then flew across the pond to the other side. I walked around the pond to watch it and there it was hunting, walking very slowly through the dead knocked down cattails etc. After a few minutes it latched onto a large frog. It worked very hard to kill and the frog put up a good fight to stay alive, but the American Bittern won. It then swallowed it! The American Bittern moved its neck back and forth for a while to get the frog down some out of its neck-throat area. After that the bird just walked into some taller grass and took a break. Interesting, is that a gentleman who was a regular at the park came over to watch the event just before it happened and talking to him said the American Bittern was there on April 27th of the year. It was a gorgeous morning with temps around 45 degrees and full sun, but there was a good breeze making it cool at times. Images were taken on October 20, 2025.

The American Bittern…

A little bit of hunting here but came up empty, flies to the other side of the pond then…

Catches a nice frog here!

Everyone has to eat…

Thinking about putting it down the throat, and it does…

A normal position for this species, they are often missed as they don’t move much and look like a stump…

The setting…cell photo…

Yellow-rumped Warblers eating Cedar Berries in the South Kettle Moraine in Waukesha County on October 5, 2025

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One of my birding stops today in the South Kettle Moraine in Waukesha County I found an Eastern Red Cedar tree with Yellow-rumped Warblers eating cedar berries. The Yellow-rumped Warblers put on a great show while I stood there and watched. They came and went along with a couple of House Finches eating berries too. It is common to see them pick berries and test them if they are ready, soft enough to eat or ripe.  If they are not ready they just drop them to the ground. It was a beautiful October day with full sun and a nice breeze out of the south. Temps around 80 degrees. Images were taken on October 5, 2025.

The Yellow-rumped Warbler with a cedar berry…

A House Finch, male stops in for a berry too…

Black-billed Magpie at the Superior Landfill in Douglas County Wisconsin on September 12, 2025

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After seeing 3 days of a reported rare bird for Wisconsin, the Black-billed Magpie at the Superior Landfill I thought I would take the chance and try for it. The Black-billed Magpie’s normal range is the Dakota’s, Nebraska and Kansas and west then up into Alaska. The reports on ebird were only 1 or 2 each for those 3 days so would the bird still be there? Deb joined me and we made the 5 1/2 hour ride to Superior leaving Waukesha at 3:00 AM. When we arrived at the landfill I spent almost 4 hours walking the road by the landfill watching many Bald Eagles, Common Ravens, Turkey Vultures, Ring-billed and American Herring Gulls flying back and forth from inside the landfill and north to Lake Superior I would assume, but no sign of the Magpie. The sky was really dark and a few raindrops were starting to fall. My thought was I guess this rare bird is not going to show for us. At that time Deb steps out of our vehicle and points. Jim, “the Black-billed Magpie just landed on the post in front of the vehicle”. I could hardly believe those words from her but there it was, perched so pretty about 50 feet in front of the vehicle. It was on the landfills property inside the fence so I just took a couple of photos and then off it went. It was a fun day getting Wisconsin life bird #388. A big thank you to the finder of this rare bird and getting the word out for others to try for it. The early morning had a little fog, mostly cloudy skies with temps around 70, light winds. Images were taken on September 12, 2025

The Black-billed Magpie on the ground just after jumping off the post nearby…

The Black-billed Magpie on the post in front of the vehicle when Deb spotted it from inside the vehicle when reading…

Here with a piece of garbage, must have been dropped by a gull coming from the landfill, there was a lot of that going on…

Sanderlings at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on September 9, 2025

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One of my birding stops today along the Milwaukee lakefront at Bradford Beach on Lake Michigan gave nice views of 8 Sanderlings. They were feeding along the waves coming in and out along the beach shoreline. They move fast on the beach back and forth and pick very small things to eat, crustaceans. It was a beautiful morning along the lake with a good breeze, mild temps around 70 degrees and sunny skies. Images were taken on September 9, 2025.

The 8 Sanderlings…

Something very small in the bill, they eat crustaceans…

As they move around on the beach shoreline finding things to eat…

Something in the bill…

Getting something to eat here…

Something in the bill…

Picking through the shells for something to eat…

American Golden-Plover at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on September 2, 2025

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A beautiful American Golden-Plover was giving great views this morning at Pebble Beach which is just north of McKinley Beach. The bird was feeding on the algae mats along the waters edge finding things to eat. They walk, stop, must listen, then make a quick poke in the algae getting something to eat. It happens very, very fast. Also present was a Sanderling. It was a beautiful morning out early with a small breeze, mostly sunny skies. Images were taken on September 2, 2025.

The American Golden-Plover…

Finding something to eat…

More distant, showing habitat they like for finding food…

More distant, showing habitat they like for finding food…

A Sanderling present…

Red-necked Phalarope at McKinley Marina in Milkwaukee County Wisconsin on September 1, 2025

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There was one report of a Red-necked Phalarope at McKinley Marina 2 days ago 8/30. Yesterday on a Lakefront birding run I thought I would check it out, I did not find the bird and thought it moved on. Mid-morning today 9/1 I heard the Phalarope was seen again by other birders looking for it. I was in the area and checked it out. The bird was present on the north side of the government pier and close. It moved east and west along the pier. It was feeding continuously the whole time I was present and only stopped for a few seconds to preen once. Any phalarope is always an exciting bird when seen in Wisconsin as we don’t get them very often as their normal range is west of here. It was a pleasant day on the lake with a nice breeze and sun, but not hot. Images were taken on September 1, 2025.

The Red-necked Phalarope…

Getting something to eat here…it was constantly feeding or in search of food…

Something in the bill here…

Going after something…

Shorebirds at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on August 29, 2025

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Shorebirds have been migrating south and my stop this morning at McKinley Beach gave nice looks at 3 species of them. Ruddy Turnstones, Semipalmated Plovers and Semipalmated Sandpipers were present. I also saw a Sanderling but by the time I got over to it walkers unknowingly flushed it out over the water. Along the beach shorebirds are typically moving fast, zigzagging up and down the beach area, back and forth along the water edge up to where the waves stop. It really all depends upon where they are finding things to eat. These birds also flip over small pieces of wood and other things with their bills finding things to eat. It was a beautiful mid morning on the lakefront with pleasant temps around 65 degrees, light winds and partly cloudy skies. Images were taken on August 29, 2025.

Ruddy Turnstone

Ruddy Turnstone

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Semipalmated Plover

Semipalmated Plover

Ruddy Turnstone flipping over a piece of something looking for things to eat.

Semipalmated Plover

Ruddy Turnstone with what looks like a mosquito but probably not…

Semipalmated Sandpiper

A Ruddy Turnstone walking right to me at this point…

Great Blue Heron catching a frog at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on August 21, 2025

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One of my birding stops today was Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee. It is a great place to do a walk in search for birds, you never know what you will come across. The highlight today was a Great Blue Heron walking a big rock shore on the island. It grabbed a couple of small fish and then it grabbed a large frog out of the water and gave it a couple of good shakes. I guess it was a frog for lunch. It was a beautiful day with a light breeze off the lake, still kind of warm with some humidity a lot nice then what we have had. Image was taken on August 21, 2025.

Wood Stork at Mud Lake State Wildlife Area in Dodge County Wisconsin on August 11, 2025

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At 6:00 AM I received a text message that a juvenile Wood Stork was seen at Mud Lake State Wildlife Area in Dodge County yesterday. The normal range for this species is Florida, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. I pretty much jumped in the car and was in the area. Some of the information I got was general but I headed out figuring more information would come when I was on the road. It appeared I was the first one in the area and then a couple of great birders showed up too. As we hit different locations there and then got some more news on where it was seen, it did not appear to be present. We exhausted spots we thought had potential and then called it quits about 11:00 AM. I got home, took a rest from all that walking through 3-4 foot thick prairie and thick marsh grass looking for the bird. Around 4:00 PM, I get a text message, the bird was seen this afternoon! My wife Deb said just get on the road and try again, what are you waiting for! Arriving around 5:30 PM, this time I knew the best place to park and a location of where the bird was seen. As I was 150 feet from what I thought was the bird perched I got closer and took a couple of distant shots, just in case it flushes. I don’t think there are many Wisconsin state records for this bird, but there was one seen up north I think last year for 1 day in someone’s yard, maybe a couple of years ago. I got a little closer to the Wood Stork and got some shots to take with me. It did not seem to mind me being in the area. A big thank you goes out to Mike Bronner, original finder of this great bird found on a hike the day before, getting identification and word out to the birding community. I hope the bird hangs around for others to see it.  It was a warm afternoon at 86 degrees, full sun, a slight breeze. Wisconsin Lifebird #383. Images were taken on August 11, 2025.

The Wood Stork…

Some preening…

Some scratching…

Just standing there for a while…

Preening…

That one feather…

“Actual Birding Moment” how it went down…It’s 86 degrees…it is very humid….I’m in an area of tall grasses….scattered live and dead trees….some up….some down…I think I’m in the general area ahead for the Wood Stork….but is it even here?…. I’ve just walked through a long field of very dense prairie 3′-4′ high…now going through some 3′-4′ marsh grass that is laying down, I see no sign of a bird….I look to my right…it’s already early evening…..I’m already thinking how much time I might have before I leave to not be here in the dark……I look ahead again…I see a white thing about 100 yards in front of me but there are so many trees…could that be the Wood Stork?….it looks like a possible perched bird….I look with my bins…..that looks like the bird….my heart is racing…I walk a few more feet…I’m so excited that I am having a hard time holding the camera with its long lens steady…..then there are so many trees and vegetation between the bird and I that I can’t focus….finally the camera focuses on the bird and I get that doc shot!! The photo on the right is now Wisconsin life bird #383 shot at roughly 100 yards…..I am breathing easier now…

American White Pelican at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on July 31, 2025

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One of my stops on the Milwaukee lakefront was Lakeshore State Park. Nice views of an American White Pelican was the highlight. This bird is considered rare for this date and location, so that makes it even more special. Other times of the year it would be considered normal. It was there only a few minutes and then a couple of American Herring Gulls harassed it till it finally flew off towards the north. I did not see the pelican stopping at other birding spots to the north, but there are so many places that I can’t look at them all. It was a pleasant morning early on, I almost light jacket weather on the lake, cloudy skies and a nice breeze off the lake. Images were taken on July 31, 2025.

The American White Pelican at the pebble beach at Lakeshore State Park…

Heading out into the water slowly…

Going out…just before the American Herring Gulls showed up…

Short-billed Gull at Whitefish Dunes State Park in Door County Wisconsin on July 30, 2025

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I saw a report of a rare to the area, Short-billed Gull being seen at Whitefish Dunes State Park on Lake Michigan in Door County on July 23. I made 3 trips up to Door County over the last week to look for this gull and on the 3rd try today I was rewarded with finding the gull. The normal range for this gull is the US west coast through Alaska, it is considered a second-cycle gull. When I arrived at 8:00 am I was the only person on the beach and there was only 1 flock of 500 gulls to look through. I looked the flock over well twice in 30 minutes. Gulls were coming in as they do so I just continued to keep looking through them. All of the sudden right in front of me 75 feet away I spotted the gull. I finally found one different from the rest with a short bill, some brown on the upper back and grayish legs. This was different from the other Ring-billed Gulls and a few American Herring in the flock. I also spotted a Laughing Gull. To say the least, it was a very exciting moment after 2 other tries. There are other state records but it has been many years, someone said 2007 but I’m not sure on that. Formally called a Mew Gull. Original finder of this gull back on July 23 was Tom Prestby, a big thank you to him for the find and getting the word out for others to come try for this exciting gull. It was a pleasant morning with cloudy skies, and a light breeze off Lake Michigan with temps around 65 degrees. Images were taken on July 30, 2025. Wisconsin Life Bird #383

The Short-billed Gull…

Short-billed Gull stretching next to a Ring-billed Gull…

After some good time had passed a few visitors started walking the beach. This gull started to move around some with others, a few gulls took to the lake.

Some preening took place…

The Laughing Gull on the other end of the flock…this bird was flushed early on by walkers…

 

Piping Plover in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on July 28, 2025

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I heard a report of a Piping Plover, a molting adult bird in Milwaukee County yesterday. I checked out the location this morning and it was still present. This species is considered endangered in Wisconsin. At one time it was said there were 500 to 800 pairs of Piping Plovers nesting in the Great Lakes region, but by 1990, that number had declined to about a dozen pairs, all in northern Michigan. This bird is not banned where typically when we see them they are. Where is this one from, if Wisconsin or Michigan, it might have been banded. I found the bird and took a few photos. It was a very warm morning with temps in the 80’s, low winds and mostly sunny skies. Images were taken on July 28, 2025.

The Piping Plover giving nice looks…

Preening…

Still preening and looking around…

The Piping Plover takes a few steps…

Then picks something out of the algae to eat….this is what it continually did, getting things to eat while I was there other than the preening…

Common Grackle feeding young at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on July 22, 2025

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Today I decided to do some birding along the lakefront in Milwaukee and my first stop was Lakeshore State Park. While doing a walk around there on the island I found a Common Grackle feeding a young. The Common Grackle caught a crayfish, pulled off the claws and fed it to the young bird, piece by piece. Something to see in the birding world I guess. The young bird took a quick bath and then I moved on. It was a beautiful day but very warm with full sun. There was a little breeze that felt good at times. Images were taken on July 22, 2025.

Common Grackle with the crayfish…

Common Grackle with the crayfish…

Getting those claws off and downsizing that piece of crayfish…

Feeding the young bird…

Feeding the young bird…

And again…

Some food there in the bill to swallow, the adult has flown off…

Thinking about bathing…

Sounds good!

Blooming Native Wildflowers in Wisconsin Spring and Summer 2025

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I have tried to capture some of the recent beauty of some spring to summer blooming native wildflowers. Wildflower images have been taken in the yard here in Waukesha or Marquette County. Most wildflowers here are native to Wisconsin. The spring started out with some nice moisture and has continued well into the summer. It has been a great year for enjoying Wisconsin native wildflowers.

Spring Beauty, Clayonia virginica

Jack in the Pulpit, Arisaeme triphyllum

Virginia Bluebells, Mertensia virginica

Wild Ginger, Asarum canadense

Large-flowered Trillium, Trillium grandiflorum

Prairie Trillium, Trillium recurvatum

Bellwort, Uvularia grandiflora

Jacob’s Ladder, Polemonium reptans

Wild Blue Phlox, Phlox divaricata

Wild Blue Indigo, Baptisia australis, range IL and south…

Prairie Phlox, Phlox pilosa

Wild Cloumbine, Aquilegia canadensis

Golden Alexanders, Zizia aurea

Spiderwort, Tradescantia ohiensis

Fire Pink or Scarlet Catchfly, Silene virginica a Wisconsin endangered species…

Indian Paintbrush, Castilleja coccinea, Sawyer Co…

Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia hirta

Smooth Phlox, Phlox glaberrima interior, endangered species in Wisconsin…

Red Bee Balm, Monarda didyma

Pale Purple Coneflower, Echinacea pallida

Butterfly Milkweed, asclepias tuberosa

Indian Pink, Spigelia marilandica, native range Illinois south and east…

Purple Milkweed, Asclepias purpurascens, a Wisconsin Endangered species…

Wild Quinine, Parthenium integrifolium

Common Milkweed, Asclepias syriaca

Royal Catchfly, Silene regia, native range IL and IA and south…

Prairie Milkweed or Sullivant’s Milkweed, Asclepias sullivantii, a Wisconsin threatened species…

Northern Flickers feeding nestlings in a natural nest cavity in Waukesha County Wisconsin on July 5, 2025

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I found a Northern Flicker nest cavity back on June 1 of this year in Waukesha County. The adults were stopping at the cavity once in a while; I knew something was going to be going on there in the days ahead. Some time has passed and today I stopped in and watched the cavity and about every 45 minutes an adult would stop and feed the nestlings, 2 of them. I hung around for two feeding sessions. I was at more than 100 feet from this tree observing the action. Below are some images from the event today. It was a warm morning with temps around 80 degrees and humid at 9 am, low winds and sunny skies. Images were taken on July 5, 2025.

A Northern Flicker nestling waits at the natural tree cavity for an adult with some food…

The adult arrives at the hole and waits a little bit before moving over to the nestling to feed it…

Then the feeding begins…

Finished feeding the 1st nestling…

Then the second one is out to be fed…

The adult backs away from the hole as feeding is complete I would think…

Another feeding event begins…

That feeding event is over and the adult leaves…

One of the nestlings sits at the hole waiting for the next adult to bring the food…

Black-necked Stilts with chicks at Horicon Marsh in Dodge County Wisconsin on July 1, 2025

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I had not been up to Horicon Marsh yet this year so a last minute decision was made early in the morning to make the trip up. I arrived at about 6:00 AM. I hit the auto tour first and there were some nice species to be seen. My next stop was Old Marsh Road on the east side. A species I was hoping to see was present. The Black-necked Stilts and there were young ones too, the chicks! Near the road were two sets of Black-necked Stilt chicks along with adults, how exciting. I had never seen chicks before so that was the excitement of the day. It appeared there was usually an adult nearby the chicks. It was a beautiful morning starting out with 63 degrees and full sun, low wins too. Images were taken on July 1, 2025.

Black-necked Stilt, adult…

Black-necked Stilt chicks…

Black-necked Stilt chick…

Black-necked Stilt adult…

Black-necked Stilt chicks…older pair…

Black-necked Stilt adult with chick…

Black-necked Stilt chicks…

Black-necked Stilt chick…

Black-necked Stilt chick…

Black-necked Stilt adult…

Black-necked Stilt adult…

Black-necked Stilt chick adult…

American White Pelican

Great Egret

Black Tern

Black Tern

Black Tern

Great Egret waiting for the next food…

Least Bittern

Yellow-headed Blackbird, female gathering things to eat for young chicks in a nest somewhere…