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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.

Ancient Murrelet at George Pinney County Park in Door County Wisconsin on November 21, 2023

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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…

Iceland Gull at Frame Park on the Fox River in Waukesha on November 20, 2023

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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…

Red Crossbills in Marquette County Wisconsin on November 18, 2023

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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…

Long-tailed Duck at the South Milwaukee Yacht Club in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on November 4, 2023

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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…

Snow Buntings at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on November 2, 2023

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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…

Wood Ducks in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on October 9, 2023

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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

Blooming Native Wildflowers in Wisconsin Summer 2023

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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

American Flamingos, 3 adults and 2 juveniles at South Beach at Port Washington in Ozaukee County Wisconsin on September 22, 2023

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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…

Red Fox at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on September 21, 2023

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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…

Lesser Yellowlegs at the South Milwaukee Mill Pond in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on August 12, 2023

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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…

Blooming Native Wildflowers in Wisconsin Summer 2023

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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

Roseate Spoonbill at Ken Euers Wetland Preserve in Brown County Wisconsin on July 29, 2023

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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…

Limpkin at Case Eagle Park in Racine County Wisconsin on July 21, 2023

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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…

Blooming Native Wildflowers in Wisconsin Spring 2023

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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

Dunlins at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on May 29, 2023

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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…

Ruddy Turnstones at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on May 25, 2023

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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!

Ruddy Turnstones at Bender Park in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on May 22, 2023

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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…

Bobolinks at Retzer Nature Center in Waukesha County Wisconsin on May 22, 2023

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It is that time of the year and I thought I would check to see if the Bobolinks are back at Retzer Nature Center. There were about 9 of them, they were giving nice views from a distance. Males were chasing around some females. These are interesting birds to follow as they move to different spots, the males calling to the females. There is no sense in trying to figure out where they will land next. I stood at one location and they once in a while landed near me for a couple of photos. Always fun to watch these birds. It was a sunny day with mild temps around  70 degrees. Images were taken on May 22, 2023.

Bobolink, male calling to a female…

Bobolink, male in flight…

Bobolink, female…

Bobolink, female calling to a male…

A little of something here…birds displaying…

Bobolink, male perched on the old wildflower cane from last year…

Bobolink, female at takeoff…

Bobolink, female perched and looking for a male…

Another in flight…

And another in flight, this male…

Calling and waiting for a female…

Scarlet Tanager at the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha Wisconsin on May 13, 2023

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My first birding stop of the day was the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha to see how the warbler action was. There were a few warblers present but they were all high up feeding. A flash of brilliant red caught my eyes, it was a male Scarlet Tanager. It was high in the tree tops when I found it. After a couple minutes of watching it, flew down to the river and perched on a tree branch that fell in the river. It sang for about 2 minutes in front of me at eye level and then flew back up in a big oak to do some more feeding. It was beautiful! It was a cloudy morning with low winds and mild temps around 60 degrees. Images were taken on May 13, 2023.

The Scarlet Tanager singing…

Just another view of this beautiful bird…