Some birding today produced a nice looks at a Eastern Screech Owl, gray morph just hanging out in a natural cavity. It was maybe sleeping, or just keeping it’s eyes closed while I was in the area. It was a cold day with some good wind gusts out there with temps around 26 degrees, and the sun was on and off. Images were taken on November 27, 2023.
The Eastern Screech Owl, gray morph…
Another angle…must have been following me…
A birding location I stop at once cold weather is upon us, like now November. I spotted this Great Horned Owl which I have not seen one at this location since early spring. I have seen a pair at this location for the last 4 years in winter and have always seen a nest so this is what I’m assuming. They move out to a different location for the late spring once the young are older. I’m sure when I saw this owl that a mate was nearby in fact it was looking off to another direction which tells me it was there in that direction, just my thinking how these owls act. It was a cloudy day with little wind temps around 38 degrees. Image was taken on November 25, 2023.
The Great Horned Owl resting in a White Pine at a distance…
It was 12 noon and I saw a message of a Ancient Murrelet in Door County! The exact location was George Pinney County Park. It looked like a 3 hour drive and it looked like I had enough daylight to get there with some time to look for it. Wow, what a great bird and rare bird for the state. They winter on the California coast and breed on the west coast from Canada thru Alaska. When I arrived there were a group of birders on the bird which was about 75-100 feet from shore. It was diving often and gave nice looks when up. Wow again on this bird! A big thank you to the person who found this bird and got the word out for others to see it. I hope it hangs around for a while. My Wisconsin life bird #375. Another Ancient Murrelet was also seen in Ashland County Wisconsin just yesterday. It was a cloudy day with a light breeze out of the north. Images were taken on November 21, 2023
The Ancient Murrelet…
The Ancient Murrelet did a lot of diving while I was there…
I typically stop at the Fox River in the mornings this time of year when birding and it has really been quiet. Today was the first surprise this fall with a 2nd cycle Iceland Gull, Kumlien’s subspecies. I have never seen one before on the Fox River. It is a place where Ring-billed Gulls hang out year round. A couple of Ring-billed Gulls dived at this bird while I was there, it looked like they did not want it around. After a few minutes looking up and down the river I turned around and the gull was gone, but probably still in the area. It was a gloomy morning with cloudy skies, low winds, but mild temps for this time of year. Images were taken on November 20, 2023.
The 2nd cycle Iceland Gull, Kumlien’s subspecies…
With a Ring-billed Gull…
Taking off…
I was walking on some private property in Marquette County and out of nowhere 6 Red Crossbills landed in a Red Pine 25 feet from me. 4 males and 2 females. The event lasted only 30 seconds and I did not even see the females until they flew from the area as they were in a tree nearby. I never seen the birds again but I did get a quick few photos to share. It was a gorgeous day for this time of year with mild temps around 50 degrees, full sun, low winds. Images were taken on November 18, 2023.
Red Crossbill, male
A pair of males…
Their stop was very short…
A stop at the South Milwaukee Yacht Club gave great views of an adult male Long-tailed Duck. It was moving around for just a short time when I arrived and then rested for a good 30 minutes. Something from above caught the bird’s eye and it was up for a couple minutes before going back in the resting mode. I got some shots of the beautiful Long-tailed Duck in between resting times. I was a mostly sunny day with little winds and mild temps near 60 degrees. Images were taken on November 4, 2023
The beautiful Long-tailed Duck, male…
There is the long tail…
Resting and always watching too…
The Long-tailed Duck stretching, look at that tail!
More resting, what it did most of the time I was there…
One of my birding stops this morning provided nice looks at a couple of Snow Buntings at McKinley Beach. They were just perched on some rocks up off the beach area. Typically I find the Snow Buntings eating grass and weed seeds at this location but this morning there was no action of that, just nice looks. It was a partly cloudy morning with mild temps around 34 degrees but the steady winds along the lake really made it feel cold. Images were taken on November 2, 2023.
A Snow Bunting just perched pretty…
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
I have tried to capture some of the recent beauty of some mid to late summer blooming native wildflowers. Wildflower images have been taken in the yard here in Waukesha or Marquette County. Most wildflower here are native to Wisconsin. The summer started out dry but some rains came in mid summer and later. Wildflower blooms picked up from the summer dry spell and things got back on track for the most part with beautiful outstanding blooms.
Wild Petunia, Ruellia humilis
Meadow Blazing Star, Liatris ligulistylis
Common Milkweed, Asclepias syriaca
Tall Bellflower, Campanula americana
Tennessee Conflower, Echinacea tennesseensis
Rough Blazingstar, Liatris aspera
Leadplant, Amorpha canescens
Greenheaded Coneflower, Rudbeckia laciniata
Orange Conflower, Rudbeckia fulgida
Western Sunflower, Helianthus occidentalis
Sweet Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia subtomentosa
Prairie Dock, Silphium terebinthinaceum
Whorled Milkweed, Asclepias verticillata
Cup Plant, Silphium perfoliatum
Yellow Coneflower, Ratibida pinnata
Dotted Mint, Monarda punctata
White Turtlehead, Chelone glabra
Canada Milk Vetch, Astragalus canadensis
Rosin Weed, Silphium integrifolium
Purple Coneflower, Echinacea purpurea
Nodding Onion, Allium cernuum
New England Aster, Aster novae-angliae
Smooth Blue Aster, Symphyotrichum laeve
Forked Aster, Aster furcatus
Showy Sunflower, Helianthus laetiflorus
Bottle Gentian, Gentiana andrewsii
Mist Flower, Conoclinium coelestinum
Are you kidding me? 5 American Flamingos giving great views at South Beach at Port Washington in Ozaukee County this afternoon. I got a text message and I asked myself, are you kidding me? Within 5 minutes we were on the road headed to Port Washington. Arriving at the beach area, next to impossible to get a parking spot but did. Moments later at the beach area it was amazing to see 5 American Flamingos standing 40 feet off of shore resting. 3 Adults and 2 to juveniles have wandered out of their normal range which is the southern tip of Florida, Cuba and South American. This was so exciting!!! They rested the time I was there from probably a long flight. Life bird for Wisconsin #375! A sunny day with a nice breeze and mild temps. Images were taken on September 22, 2023.
American Flamingos, 2 adults and 1 juvenile.
American Flamingo, adult
The 5 of them…
American Flamingo, juvenile…
American Flamingo preening…
American Flamingo adult…
American Flamingos…
American Flamingo, adult…
One of my birding stops this morning was Lakeshore State Park. Coming into the park a beautiful Red Fox caught my eye. It was onto a vole probably, looking around and stood still for about one 30 seconds before disappearing in the tall grasses. I have only seen a couple Red Foxes in the last few years there so this was nice to see they are around. Birding was quiet at the park, the only highlight was a juvenile bluebird. It was mostly cloudy with low winds, temps around 72 degrees. Images were taken on September 21, 2023.
The Red Fox just looking…
Here the Red Fox seems to be watching and waiting for a possible snack…
A look back, a nice pose…
One of my birding stops today gave nice looks at Lesser Yellowlegs at the South Milwaukee Mill Pond. Water level there is very low right now and it provides some great habitat for shorebirds migrating south. About 7 were present and often moved around on the pond feeding. It was a beautiful day with mild temps and plenty of sunshine with a nice breeze too. Images were taken on August 12, 2023.
A Lesser Yellowlegs looking for something to eat…
Going for something to eat…
Scratching…
Preening…
More preening…
Looking pretty…
Just resting…
Looking for something to eat…
And more preening…
I have tried to capture some of the recent beauty of some summer blooming native wildflowers. Wildflower images have been taken in the yard here in Waukesha or Marquette County. Most wildflower here are native to Wisconsin. The summer started out with a few rains but things then dried up some with out a good rain for 6 weeks. A few recent rains in late July have brought on some nice blooms.
Red Bee Balm, Monarda didyma, not a Wisconsin native…
Pale Purple Coneflower, Echinacea palida
Fire Pink, Silene virginica
Smooth Phlox, Phlox glaberrima interior, endangered species in Wisconsin…
Poke Milkweed, Asclepias exaltata
Sand Coreopsis, Coreopsis lanceolata, villosa
Ozark Coneflower, Echinacea paradoxa, not a Wisconsin native…
Prairie Cinquefoil, Drymocallis arguta
Swamp Milkweed, Asclepias incarnata
Swamp Milkweed, Asclepias incarnata
Wild Quinine, Parthenium integrifolium
Purple Poppy Mallow, Callirhoe involucrata, not a Wisconsin native…
Wild Bergamot, Monarda fistulosa
Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia hirta
Queen of the Prairie, Filipendula rubra
Michigan Lily, Lilium michiganense
Harebell, Campanula rotundifolia
California Poppy, Eschscholzia californica, not a Wisconsin native…
Royal Catchfly, Silene regia, not a Wisconsin native…
Rattlesnake Master, Eryngium yuccifolium
Butterfly Milkweed, Asclepias tuberosa
Michigan Lily, Lilium michiganense
Hoary Vervain, Verbena stricta
I received a text message early morning that a Roseate Spoonbill was being seen at Ken Euers Wetland Preserve in Brown County. Not a big surprise as this is probably the same bird that was found on July 26 near this location. This is SO RARE!! A bird that breeds in southern Texas and Florida and south here in the state! This species has not been seen in Wisconsin since the 1800’s! I jumped in the car and headed up to this location. When I arrived 2 hours later the bird was still present and it was resting on a berm a few feet above the water in the impoundment with a few Great Egrets. It rested over an hour before flying in a ditch out of sight and then walked over to an area where Great Egrets were feeding. The bird hung with them and fed with them. This bird was a couple 100 yards away so photos are distant. A nice life bird for the state of Wisconsin, #374. Thanks to the finder of this bird and getting the word out. I hope this bird hangs around for others to see. It was a beautiful day with milder temps, full sun and a little breeze. Images were taken on July 29, 2023.
The Roseate Spoonbill…
The Roseate Spoonbill resting when I arrived…
A look at the spoonbill on this bird…
The Roseate Spoonbill…
The Roseate Spoonbill walking over to the Great Egrets…
The Roseate Spoonbill hanging out with a Great Egret and Great Blue Heron…
Just another shot of this rare visitor to the state…
My second day in search for the reported Limpkin at Case Eagle Park was a winner. The Limpkin is a Florida bird so it is very rare to have one in Wisconsin. I think the 3rd bird in the last 2 years but never before that. The bird was far down the river from the dam and feeding along a river bank in the shade when found. It moved around some and I only saw it find a clam, crack it open and eat some of the insides. What an exciting bird, it moved along the river shore very, very slowly. It perched once for 45 minutes but then came back down in the water to look for more food. It was a beautiful day, full sun, a light wind and no bugs out in the deep woods along the river. Images were taken on July 21, 2023.
The Limpkin…calling “Kree-ow, Kra-ow” sound…
Walking so very slowly along the river searching for food…
Getting the big clam here, cracked it open a short time later and ate something from it…
Getting a better grip…
Going down for something here…
Preening…
The Limpkin was perched here for 45 minutes…
Calling…
I have tried to capture some of the recent beauty of some spring blooming native wildflowers. Wildflower images have been taken in the yard here in Waukesha or Marquette County. The spring started out with some rains but things have dried up some come May and now the start of June. I have noticed in the last couple of weeks that some wildflowers will have minimal blooms unless moisture shows up soon.
Large-flowered Trillium, Trillium grandiflorum Waukesha County
Bloodroot, Sanguinaria canadensis Waukesha County
Prairie Trillium, Trillium recurvatum Waukesha County
Wild Geranium, Geranium maculatum Waukesha County
Wild Columbine, Aquilegia canadensis Waukesha County
Jacob’s Ladder, Polemonium reptans Waukesha County
Pussytoes, Antennaria neglecta Marquette County
Foamflower, Tiarella cordifolia Waukesha County
Fringed Puccoon, Lithospermum incisum Waukesha County
Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Arisaema triphyllum Waukesha County
Golden Ragwort, Packera aurea Waukesha County
Yellow Star Grass, Hypoxis hirsuta Waukesha County
Bradbury’s Bee Balm, Monarda bradburiana Waukesha County, native range eastern US
Blue-eyed Grass, Sisyrinchium campestre Marquette County
Blue-eyed Grass, White Wild, Sisyrinchium campestre alba Marquette County
Hoary Puccoon, Lithospermum canescens Marquette County
Cream Wild Indigo, Baptisia bracteata
Carolina Puccoon, Lithospermum caroliniense Marquette County
Yellow Pimpernel, Taenidia integerrima Waukesha County
Wild Blue Indigo, Baptisia austrlis Waukesha County, native range southern midwest, not Wisconsin
Wild Sweet William, Phlox maculata Waukesha County, native range states around Wisconsin and to the east coast but not Wisconsin
Spiderwort, Tradescantia ohiensis Waukesha County
Wild Iris, Blue Flag, Iris virginica Waukesha County
Prairie Phlox, Phlox pilosa Marquette County
A couple of quick photos of a female Ruby-throated Hummingbird in Milwaukee County. I did not see a male but I’m sure he was around. It was a mild sunny morning with smoky skies and temps in the low 70’s. Images were taken on June 5, 2023.
The female Ruby-throated Hummingbird…
A birding stop today gave nice views of 5 Dunlins. They were found at the far north end of McKinley Beach, some call it pebble beach. One of the Dunlins was a non-breeding adult. What a beautiful species!! I caught a little bit of their feeding action of finding things to eat that had washed up on the beach or in the water at the shore edge. It was a beautiful morning with full sun and temps were around 70 degrees. Images were taken on May 29, 2023.
One of the Dunlins in breeding plumage near the shore getting things to eat…
They are always finding things to eat…
Dunlin, a non-breeding adult…
Another of the non-breeding adult Dunlin plumage…
At waters edge finding things to eat…
Something in the bill here…
One of my birding stops today gave nice views of 4 Ruddy Turnstones all males. They were found at the far north end of McKinley Beach, some call it pebble beach. Also present was one Semipalmated Plover, a male. While I was there they were flushed a couple of times by walkers but always returned to the beach. I caught a little bit of their feeding action of finding things to eat that had washed up on the beach. It was a beautiful morning with full sun and a good breeze off the lake, almost felt cold at times, temps were around 60 degrees. Images were taken on May 25, 2023.
One of the 4 Ruddy Turnstones…
Going for something here to eat…
Something in the bill here, it is small…
Getting something here to eat…
A Semipalmated Plover, male…
Just another shot!
One of my birding stops today provided nice views of 2 Ruddy Turnstones at Bender Park. They fed on the big rocks for bugs the time I was there. They moved in and around the rocks non stop finding things to eat. It was a beautiful day with full sun and mild temps, hardly a breeze. Images taken on May 22, 2023.
Ruddy Turnstone, male moving around on the rocks finding things to eat…
Finding a bug…
This is all they did while I was there, find things to eat…
The 2…
From one rock to another…
Looking for a bug…
Looking for bugs…
Giving nice looks from a distance…
