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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.

Red-tailed Hawk eating its prey at the Lake Express Ferry in Milwaukee Wisconsin on November 17, 2017

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One of the highlights this morning along the lakefront in Milwaukee was watching a Red-tailed Hawk capture its prey, a vole and then consuming it. It was a cold morning with cloudy skies and some good winds but pretty good for this time of year. Images were taken at the Lake Express Ferry in Milwaukee Wisconsin on November 17, 2017.

At this point the Red-tailed Hawk spots the vole…

Going for the vole…

Taking the hair off, then breaks into the meat after the kill…

Removing hair and getting to the meat…

The Red-tailed Hawk is always looking around for predators as it eats…

Pulling apart the vole, out comes some of the guts……it drops the guts in the next image on the post…

Looking around as it eats…

Eating…

Looking around…

Eats that big piece with the hair on it…

This bird cleans the area of any left food it may have missed, lets nothing go to waste…

Still cleaning up the area …

Shaking off….

Then the poop!

Off to a new location for the next meal or to rest…

 

Snowy Owl at the Lake Express Ferry in Milwaukee Wisconsin on November 14, 2017

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The Snowy Owl along the lakefront in Milwaukee gave nice views this morning. Not much action other than some preening and a yawn. Still nice to see this beautiful owl. Images were taken on November 14, 2017.

A little preening here…

The yawn…

 

Laying low as a Northern Harrier was in the area

 

In the planter

Our feathered friends in Marquette County Wisconsin on November 9, 2017

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A closer look at some of our beautiful feather friends that we see almost daily in the winter. Just had a little fun photographing some of them today. Images were taken in Marquette County Wisconsin on November 9, 2017

Blue Jay, all eyes…

Black-capped Chickadee, just after landing…

Blue Jay, a wet bill from just getting a drink…

Dark-eyed Junco, just showing off…

Blue Jay, look at those beautiful feathers!

White-breasted Nuthatch

Blue Jay, wet bill from the big drink…

Black-capped Chickadee, perched pretty…

Blue Jay, the early morning sun just peeping through…

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Black-capped Chickadee with the blowing wind…

Black-capped Chickadee

Blue Jay, a little bit of a surprise to see me…

Dark-eyed Junco

Black-capped Chickadee

Snowy Owl at the Lake Express Ferry in Milwaukee Wisconsin on November, 6 2017

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The highlight on the Milwaukee lakefront this morning was a Snowy Owl at the Lake Express Ferry. It only hung around resting on top of a container for a couple of minutes before took off and landed on the breakwall. A majestic bird that always makes you stare at it. It was a cold day with temps around 35 degrees and some sun and a breeze. Images were taken on November 6, 2017

Snowy Owl

Binomial name: Bubo scandiacus

Category: Typical Owls

Description: Adult males are mostly white with a few dark feather tips.  Adult females and juveniles are white with dark scalloping on chest, back, wings, and tail.  Yellow eyes, black beak, and feathery feet.

Size: 20”- 28” long, 49” – 59” wingspan

Weight: 3.5 lb. – 6.6 lb.

Habitat: Wide open, treeless spaces such as shorelines, lakes, open fields, and agricultural sites.

Long-tailed Ducks at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on November 5, 2017

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It was a day with some occasionally mist cloudy skies but I decided to hit a few birding spots along the lake. The highlight of the day was a pair of Long-tailed Ducks at Lakeshore State Park. They were adult females in their winter plumage. They did some on and off diving for food but there were a few people around and fishing boats that kept them out off of shore most of the time. Bradford Beach to the north had scoters but it was too foggy to make them out when I was there. One female Red-breasted Merganser was one of the only ducks in the lagoon, well there were fisherman everywhere today in boats and on land so that makes sense. A cool day at 45 degrees with cloudy skies and some fog. Images were taken on November 5, 2017.

Long-tailed Duck

Binomial name: Clangula hyemalis

Category: Ducks, Geese, and Swans

Size: 16.5” long, 28” wing span

Weight: 1.6 lb

Cool Fact: This duck was once known as Oldsquaw

Left one going for the dive, the one on the right already in, just a swirl…

Snowy Owl on the Milwaukee Lakefront on October 31, 2017

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A Snowy Owl was found on the Milwaukee lakefront this morning. It had caught an American Coot for something to eat and was sitting on that during the picture taking. The bird never moved from the spot while I was present. First one of the fall season reported in the area that I know of. It was a cold morning with stiff winds and little sun to warm up with. Images were taken on October 31, 2017.

Snowy Owl with the American Coot

Snowy Owl

Binomial name: Bubo scandiacus

Category: Typical Owls

Description: Adult males are mostly white with a few dark feather tips.  Adult females and juveniles are white with dark scalloping on chest, back, wings, and tail.  Yellow eyes, black beak, and feathery feet.

Size: 20”- 28” long, 49” – 59” wingspan

Weight: 3.5 lb. – 6.6 lb.

Habitat: Wide open, treeless spaces such as shorelines, lakes, open fields, and agricultural sites.

Just looking around, this bird seemed content just sitting there. Probably resting from a long flight…

The back view…

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

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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

Eastern Meadowlark at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin on October 27, 2017

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One of the birding highlights along the lakefront in Milwaukee this morning was seeing this Eastern Meadowlark at McKinley Beach. I was hoping for Western, but I just can’t see it here. It came in off the rock shore and landed in a grass area. It did some feeding, looked around some and away it went heading south. One of the other highlights was accidentally flushing a Short-eared Owl at Lakeshore State Park. The owl flew east over the harbor where 4 gulls appeared to harass it. I lost sight of it at that point. A very windy morning with cold temps, still nice to be out birding. Images were taken on October 27, 2017.

Looking for something to eat here…

Doing some feeding…

Getting something…

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

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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 the river to me, but the Ring-necked Duck was skittish and stayed back. After a couple of minutes some walkers came by and the Ring-necked Duck flew north on the river and landed. That was the last I saw of it. Other birds present, just the everyday Ring-billed Gulls and those Mallards. No Hooded Merganser…:) Some sun but a mostly cloudy day at my stop at the river, still mild temps. Images were taken on October 26, 2017.

Ring-necked Duck, male in the golden leaf fall water surrounded by a couple of floating leaves…

Ring-necked Duck

Binomial name: Aythya collaris

Category: Ducks, Geese, and Swans

Size: 17” long, 25” wing span

Weight: 1.5 lb.

 

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

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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 hand full of Northern Shovelers were still hanging around the lagoon at the park. 3 Sanderlings were present at McKinley Beach, the rest of the birds seen were just common species for this time of year. I took a few images of the Lesser Yellowlegs to share. It was an gloomy overcast days with some rain showers early with temps in the lower 50’s. Images were taken on October 23, 2017.

Lesser Yellowlegs

Binomial name: Tringa flavipes

Category: Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies

Size: 10.5” long, 24” wing span

Weight:  2.8 oz

Notes: Breeds in northern Canada and Alaska, winters at coasts of southern US and Mexico.

Eyeing something up here

Watching…

Going down….did it get it?

A miss…

Just walking along the shore…

Some preening…

Just finished preening…

Got something here….

Coming into shore…

Horned Lark at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin on October 18, 2017

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Birding some of the lakefront in Milwaukee this morning it was basically quiet. On my second run to McKinley Beach I got a text from Mike W. He had seen a Horned Lark. I arrived seconds later and it was still present in the beach area. It fed along the beach area sorta hanging with a Sanderling. I feel this bird is a adult male in non-breeding plumage. It hung around for a while and I did some other birding in the area. I checked later and the bird had left. I would think the bird is in the area. The only other bird there as mentioned was the one lone Sanderling. It was just a gorgeous day with full sun, warm temps and a nice breeze to keep things cool. Images were taken on October 18, 2017

Horned Lark

Horned Lark

Binomial name: Eremophila alpestri

Category: Chickadees and Titmice

Size: 7.25” long, 12” wing span

Weight:  1.1 oz

Horned Lark just working the beach for food

Horned Lark in search for food…

Horned Lark with possibly something to eat…

Horned Lark just standing pretty…

Horned Lark looking..

Horned Lark digging around for something to eat…

Horned Lark on the move…

The close up…

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

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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 Shovelers still hanging out. The Black Scoters were still present off of North Point. I ran into Bruce along the Milwaukee Lakefront, he had found some House Finches eating apples in a tree and I took a few images to share of the event. I have never saw this feeding before but it is probably normal. A beautiful fall day with plenty of sunshine, nice temps but did have some wind gusts. Images were taken on October 17, 2017.

House Finch, male with an apple…

House Finch

Binomial name: Carpodacus mexicanus

Category: Fringilline and Cardueline Finches and Allies

Size: 6” long, 9.5” wing span

Weight:  .74 Oz.

Digging in…

House Finch, female with apple in the bill…

House Finch, male enjoying some apple…

House Finch, female enjoying some apple…

House Finch, female getting the good stuff!

House Finch, female with apple in the bill…

House Finch, male enjoying some apple…

House Finch, male, getting way in there!

House Finch, female getting that peeling!

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

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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 as they probably just had put on some miles. They did next to no feeding while I was there and just rested. It was a cool morning, overcast with some strong west winds. Also present at Lakeshore State park provided brief view of a thinking now, a Common Snipe by the looks of the distant image, not a American Woodcock as first thought as it flushed while I walked the path and it just went way up and headed north, also an American Kestrel which I have not seen for awhile. Another lakefront beach, McKinley had 12 Sanderlings, and the Black Scoters were still present off North Point that Tom W reported yesterday. Images were taken on October 15, 2017.

Greater Yellowlegs

Greater Yellowlegs

Lesser Yellowlegs in front with Greater behind

Lesser Yellowlegs in front with Greater behind

Greater Yellowlegs riding the waves…

Lesser Yellowlegs on the right, I thought it was feeding but appeared to be playing with this item…

Greater Yellowlegs moving along the beach area…

Lesser Yellowlegs

Lesser Yellowlegs

Lesser Yellowlegs, I thought it was feeding but appeared to be playing with this item…

Lesser Yellowlegs in front…

Lesser Yellowlegs

2 Greater Yellowlegs

Eyes closed, resting…

Greater Yellowlegs, the double…

Greater Yellowlegs…

Lapland Longspur at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin on October 10, 2017

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A stop at McKinley Beach this morning in Milwaukee provided nice views of a Lapland Longspur. It seemed to be hanging with a couple of Killdeer. It continually fed in a short grass near the beach area eating seeds and then moved to a parking area. That is where the Killdeer went and so did it. The Killdeer just acted like it was a bitter cold day and did nothing, just stood there. The Lapland Longspur fed still eating seeds along cracks in the parking area and where weeds grown in cracks that held presumably a seed bank. A nice surprise to see this bird this morning but then we do see them this time of year along the lake, just once in awhile. No other unusual birds to note this morning along that part of the lakefront. A cold morning out with stiff winds from the northwest, very little sun with temps around 50. Interesting, first saw them last year at Lakeshore State Park on October 15. FOF winter hat, winter coat along with a scarf! Images were taken on October 10, 2017.

Finding seeds to eat along weed filled cracks in the parking area…

Lapland Longspur

Binomial name: Calcarius lapponicus

Category: Lapwings and Plovers

Size: 6.25” long, 11.5” wing span

Weight: 0.95 oz

Cool facts: This common bird breeds in the Arctic tundra, and winters in open fields across most of the United States and southern Canada.

Finding weed seeds…

Finding more weed seeds…

Finding seeds in the grass to eat…

Finding seeds…

To the ground for seeds…

In the short grass area…

Franklin’s Gull at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin on October 8, 2017

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I made a stop at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee for a first stop checking the beach area this morning. The beach was quiet. I ran into Dave G there and I said I was heading to McKinley Beach, he said he was there earlier this morning and it was empty. Since I was at the lakefront I made the drive over and within a flock of about 25 Ring-billed Gulls I saw a gull with a light black head. I knew this was going to be something good and it was, a Franklin’s Gull, juvenile (1st cycle). Dave followed me over he also got few shots off before the gull took to the air and headed south for what appeared to be no apparent reason. The gull was just preening so it makes sense what the gull had in mind I think. It was a short lived burst of excitement in the birding world as we just don’t see Franklin’s along the lake very often. The highlight of the day with not much else to report along the north side of Milwaukee’s lakefront. It was a gorgeous day with full sun, mild temps and very little wind. Images were taken on October 8, 2017.

Franklin’s Gull

Binomial name: Larus pipixcan

Category: Gulls, Terns and Skimmers

Size: 14.5” long, 36” wing span

Weight: 10 oz

Stretching before the flight…

Some preening…

Franklin’s Gull, left – Ring-billed Gull, right

The back view..

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

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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. Other birds to note along the local lakefront were many Double-crested Cormorants everywhere, and ~ a dozen Northern Shovelers, and a Ruddy Duck being at Lakeshore State Park. It was a overcast morning with mild temps around 58 degrees with some steady winds and waves off the lake. Images were taken on October 6, 2017.

Sanderling with a bite to eat…

Sanderlings feeding along the beach bank…

Sanderlings feeding along the beach with Ring-billed Gulls

Moving along the beach with waves rolling in…

Along the beach they go…

Trying to avoid the waves…

Shaking it off!

Size comparison image with a Ring-billed Gull and a Sanderling…

Some preening

More preening

Scratching…

Coming towards me…

In the wave…

Out of the wave action…

Just waiting for the sight of something to eat…

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

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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 food from a short distance and gave striking moves to capture its morning food, but sometimes just waited for the next small fish to swim by, then the capture. Other birds present at the park were just the typical birds that have been hanging around recent weeks. It was a nice morning to be out, with low winds, full sun and warm temps. Images were taken on September 22, 2017.

Catching a pair!

Stealth mode, looking for the next catch with a drip!

The catch!

The drop…..

Stealth mode times 2…

Another catch!

Great Blue Heron with a Flathead Minnow

The heron sees something a short distance away…

Gulp!

Got it!

Another pair of Flathead Minnows!

Shaking the head with the tongue out, I have seen this before…

Another small catch…

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

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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 was a female generally hanging out with some Mallards. McKinley Beach had one lone Killdeer. I decided it was time to make a check at the “Magic Hedge”, about 15 Palm Warblers were present feeding along the fence to the north. A nice morning to be out with light overcast skies, light breeze and warm temps doing a little birding. Images were taken on Septemeber 15, 2017.

Coming in for a landing at the beach area

Black-bellied Plover

Binomial name: Pluvialis squatarola

Category: Lapwings and Plovers

Size: 11.5” long, 29” wing span

Weight: 8 Oz.

Habitat: Breeding habitat is lowlands on dry Arctic tundra. They spend their winters on beaches and estuarine mudflats. They sometimes are found in flooded fields, agricultural lands, meadows near coasts or inland waters.

Diet: On their breeding grounds, main food source is insects. Their wintering habitat provides worms, bivalves and crustaceans.

Nesting: They prefer a raised area for nesting for good visibility. Nest is a shallow depression made by the male and finished by the female as her job is lining it with pebbles, grass, twigs, lichens and moss. 3-4 eggs are usually laid, one brood per season, both parents incubate them. Within 12 hours, the chicks are usually able to forage and both parents care for them.

Walking the beach and feeding along the way…

Getting a drink…

Feeding…

With all the gnats…and a feather along side…

Something to eat in the bill

Something to eat…

Something to eat…

A little stretch here…

With something to eat here…

Coming at me…

The profile

The catch…

The looking back shot…

Constantly moving and feeding along the beach…

Incoming..

 

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

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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 than that the lakefront was pretty slow at Bradford Beach, Lakeshore State Park and the harbor. Images were taken on September 10, 2017.

Sanderling going into nonbreeding plumage from breeding plumage with a worm…

Sanderling in nonbreeding plumage…

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Sanderling going into nonbreeding plumage

Sanderling going into nonbreeding plumage

Sanderling in nonbreeding plumage

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Sanderling nonbreeding plumage

Semipalmated Sandpiper

 

Sanderlings at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on September 3, 2017

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A stop at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin provided some nice views of Sanderlings. They fed along the algae mat in the beach area. A stunning shorebird species close up that moved quickly along the beach area. Images were taken on September 3, 2017.

Sanderling chasing off another Sanderling in the area

What’s up…

Looking for something to eat…

On the move along the mat

Got something…

On the move with a little wind blowing

A little wave action here…

In search of something to eat…

Here is a bite…

Posing…