admin, Author at Window to Wildlife - Photography by Jim Edlhuber

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.

Western Grebe at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on October 24, 2016

By admin | October 24, 2016 - 3:18 pm |October 25, 2016 Bird Categories, Grebes

5 Comments

I made a run down to Milwaukee’s lakefront this morning to see if the Western Grebe was still present. It was, and I located the bird east of Discovery World but it was on the move and headed south. It spent the rest of the morning at the south end of Lakeshore State Park on the lake side. The bird has hung around now for at least 6 days. It typically hangs out with American Coots but sometimes was seen near Mallards too. A stunning bird out of it’s normal range from the dakotas and west just visiting our area. How long will it hang around? I guess time will tell. A sunny morning with some clouds early, cold northeast winds off the lake, it felt like winter is coming. Images were taken on October 24, 2016.

Western Grebe

Binomial name: Aechmophorus occidentalis

Category: Grebes

Size: 25” long, 24” wing span

Weight: 3.3 lb

Preening

Best friends!

Preening

Coming around the corner

Western Grebe in the Milwaukee Harbor at Veterans Park on October 21, 2016

By admin | October 21, 2016 - 6:07 pm |October 22, 2016 Bird Categories, Grebes

3 Comments

I had wanted to see the Western Grebe that was recently reported on Milwaukee’s Lakefront but was tied up until today. I went down to the lakefront early this morning and found the Western Grebe northeast of the Art Museum. The normal range for this bird is the dakotas and west which makes well out its of its range and a great visitor. It never came close to the shore but stayed a distance to give nice views with binoculars. The grebe really did no diving for food the first hour, but then that changed for the next couple hours as it did some diving. With pedestrians walking the walk along the shore for the time I was there I think that kept it from coming in close, my opinion. A few fishing boats that came into the harbor moved it around the area too, sometimes moving it pretty far out. The bird seemed nervous at times, who knows why. Not a life bird for me as I got the one at Bradford Beach back on 11/2010. Thanks to Lorri for finding this cool bird, and sharing it. A sunny sky to start the day but it then soon clouded over with stiff winds and cold temps from the north. Images were taken on October 21, 2016.

Western Grebe

Binomial name: Aechmophorus occidentalis

Category: Grebes

Size: 25” long, 24” wing span

Weight: 3.3 lb

Back view

Preening

The stretch!

Brings up a fish and goes back under water with it?

Purple Gallinule at Mauston in Juneau County Wisconsin on October 13, 2016

By admin | October 13, 2016 - 2:24 pm |October 13, 2016 Bird Categories, Gallinules

8 Comments

The beautiful adult Purple Gallinule was present when I arrived in Mauston this morning. The normal range for this bird is Florida, so very rare for Wisconsin. Someone said, was it the recent hurricane? The Purple Gallinule hung with a couple of Mallard Ducks and an Indian Runner Duck. At times it was far from the mallards eating along the shores within the brush in the ditch. At times too it was not in sight, hidden in the grasses and not moving around much. The colors on this bird are breathtaking. I did see it fly twice, just an amazing bird blue bird in the air. Thanks to Jeri for finding this rare bird and sharing, obviously a life bird for me! It was mostly cloudy in Mauston while I was present with mild temps, no wind. Images were taken on October 13, 2016.

Purple Gallinule

Binomial name: Porphyrula martinica

Category: Rails, Gallinules, and Coots

Size: 13” long, 22” wing span

Weight: 8 oz

Typically it was feeding in the brush along the ditch shore

Indian Runner Duck

Indian Runner Duck

Early morning sun in the grasses

Rusty Blackbird at Echo Park in Burlington Wisconsin on October 2, 2016

By admin | October 2, 2016 - 4:46 pm |October 6, 2016 Bird Categories, Blackbirds

2 Comments

While watching the Great Egrets at Echo Park in Burlington Wisconsin this morning we were side tracked by a bird at the edge of a grassy small island. Janet S spotted the bird, thank you! When it came out into the open more I immediately knew it was a Rusty Blackbird by those cool colors. A really great find, as this bird is just not seen often enough. The bird moved towards the dam, behind some grass and they flew east into a tall tree on the bigger island and that was the last we saw of it. On such a dreary, misty and rainy day, this was the highlight and a nice one! Images were taken on October 2, 2016.

Rusty Blackbird

Binomial name: Euphagus carolinus

Category: Blackbirds

Size: 9” long, 14” wing span

Weight: 2.1 oz

Looking for small bugs on the leaf I would think

Going to another rock!

Great Egrets at Echo Park in Burlington Wisconsin on September 29, 2016

By admin | September 29, 2016 - 7:11 pm |September 30, 2016 Bird Categories, Bitterns, Herons, and Allies

6 Comments

I made a couple of stops out at Echo Park in Burlington Wisconsin as some Great Egrets were being reported there at the dam. Nice numbers of 10-15 were present when I was there. I think numbers are down from a few days ago. These birds put on an amazing show while I was there! They all seemed to be fishing while I was present but only a few fish were actually caught. Some of the other things I enjoyed watching was the preening, some interaction when a fish was caught or sometimes just relaxing. It is a sight to see as these amazing birds will soon be heading south. Weather conditions were overcast skies for the most part with some wind and cool fall like temps. Images were taken on September 28-29, 2016.

All fluffed up!

Great Egret

Binomial name: Ardea alba

Category: Bittern, Herons, and Allies

Size: 39” long, 51” wing span

Weight: 1.9 lb

Hanging out

Moving around above the dam

Incoming

The landing

The stop

The catch!

Takes the catch away to avoid the other egrets trying to take it

Above the dam it takes the catch

The landing

The stop

Just coming through

From the top of the dam down

Just beauty

Fishing

A pair on top of the dam

Preening

Resting

More preening

Checking things out

The itch

Coming through

Another catch and to the top of the dam

Wondering where to go now

Just coming through gang!

Stretching

Fishing

More fishing

Moving around

The flight

Fishing

Another catch

Squeeze the fish

The close-up

To the top of the dam, less egrets to fight off for the catch

Believe it or not, it catches this fish and eats it

A little preening above the dam

Walking the dam

Turns around, walks the other way

A little more preening

Resting

More preening

The landing

Scratching

And more fishing

Pose on the dam

Walking the dam

Great Egret with a Great Blue Heron

A fishing pair

Stalking the prey in the grass

Just being me

Moving to a new fishing place

Serious fishing

The catch!

Parasitic Jaegers at Wisconsin Point prior to Jaegerfest Weekend in Superior Wisconsin on September 21, 2016

By admin | September 21, 2016 - 8:34 pm |September 22, 2016 Bird Categories, Skuas and Jaegers

3 Comments

I made the run up with Bill G and Ryan S to Wisconsin Point in Superior Wisconsin for a taste of what Jaegerfest, the coming weekend was all about. It was a great time watching at least 4 Parasitic Jaegers chase gulls for the food they were carrying. After leaving Waukesha at midnight and arriving at Wisconsin Point by 5:00 am we had a few minutes before a beautiful sunrise. At sun up Parasitic Jaeger action started and continued about every 15 minutes till we left around 11:00 am. The action and speed of these birds could not be captured in images, it was amazing event to see! A couple of American Avocets also did a flyby off the shore with nice views. The bird of the day for me was the Sabine’s Gulls, a flock of 2 and then 4, a state lifer! The Sabine’s Gulls stayed out very far from shore and only gave distant views. A fun day with birding friends and meeting a few new ones too. The time we were there, it was mostly sunny and mild temps in the 60’s with steady winds off the lake. Images were taken on September 21, 2016.

Parasitic Jaeger (3rd year sub-adult)

Parasitic Jaeger

Binomial name: Stercorarius parasiticus

Category: Skuas and Jaegers

Size: 16.5″, adult to 20″ long, 46” wingspan

Weight: 1 Lb

Parasitic Jaeger (3rd year sub-adult)

Parasitic Jaeger, juvenile, chasing a gull

A Parasitic Jaeger disrupts a group of gulls chasing a gull

A Parasitic Jaeger comes into an area of water where gulls are sitting and the area irrupts and the jaeger typically chases a bird with food in its mouth

A Parasitic Jaeger comes into an area of water where gulls are sitting and the area irrupts and the jaeger typically chasesa bird with food in its mouth

Parasitic Jaeger, juvenile

Parasitic Jaeger (3rd year sub-adult)

American Avocets

American Avocet

American Avocets

Some of the gang waiting for the next jaeger to come in!

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Scarlet Sage in Waukesha County Wisconsin on September 16, 2016

By admin | September 16, 2016 - 8:46 pm |September 16, 2016 Bird Categories, Hummingbirds

3 Comments

We still have Ruby-throated Hummingbirds hanging around the yard here in Waukesha County. The hummers have favored the Scarlet Sage and Zinna plants for the most part but often frequent the nectar feeders too.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Scarlet Sage

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Binomial name: Archilochus colubris

Category: Hummingbirds

Description: Metallic green feathers on back, grayish-white on underparts. Males have a vibrant red throat which may appear dark in poor lighting. Wings are dark gray, almost black. Long, slender bill is black in color and mostly straight with a slight curve at the tip.

Size: 2.8″-3.5″ long, 3” – 4” wingspan

Weight: 0.071 oz. – 0.21 oz.

Habitat: Broadleaf and pine forests, orchards, meadows, parks, and gardens

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Scarlet Sage

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on a Zinna

White-tailed Deer Swimming at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on September 12, 2016

By admin | September 15, 2016 - 9:30 pm |September 15, 2016 Animals

Greater White-fronted Goose on the Fox River in Waukesha Wisconsin on September 14, 2016

By admin | September 14, 2016 - 3:32 pm |September 15, 2016 Bird Categories

3 Comments

I was on my way home from birding the quiet lakefront this morning in Milwaukee when I got a text from Dan Wutkowski. The text was of a Greater White-fronted Goose that had just landed on the Fox River in downtown Waukesha. Thank you Dan! It had just landed in with a flock of Canada Geese that just arrived. When I arrived at the location in Waukesha it was in the middle of the river hanging with the Canada Geese. It remained there for about 20 minutes with the geese. Then out of the corner of my eye I saw some geese doing some wing splashing. After that I looked for the Greater White-fronted Goose and it was no longer present. This bird is considered rare for this date at this location. Short lived event but was a treat to see this bird! Images were taken on September 14, 2016

Greater White-fronted Goose

Binomial name: Anser albifrons

Category: Ducks, Geese, and Swans

Size: 28” long, 53” wing span

Weight: 4.8 lb

Greater White-fronted Goose hanging out in the middle of the river with Canada Geese, it usually stayed with the flock

Greater White-fronted Goose with a Canada Goose

Greater White-fronted Goose going down for some food

Greater White-fronted Goose with a Canada Goose

Greater White-fronted Goose stretching

Greater White-fronted Goose hanging with the flock Canada Goose

Greater White-fronted Goose hanging with the flock of Canada Geese

Greater White-fronted Goose, looks like a little pressure is being put on here by the Canada Geese

Greater White-fronted Goose

Greater White-fronted Goose hanging out

Ruby-throated Hummingbird feeding a chick on the nest in Walworth County Wisconsin on September 4, 2016

By admin | September 4, 2016 - 6:47 pm |September 5, 2016 Bird Categories, Hummingbirds

19 Comments

I was fortunate to get the opportunity to photograph a Ruby-throated Hummingbird on the nest feeding a chick and did not pass it up. Running into Anne Morretti out birding, she mentioned 2 of her birding friends Joann and Monica had an active bird nest. I followed the excitement of the event for a couple of weeks from the first moment of seeing a nest with a female sitting on it, the tiny beak from the chick above the nest, till the day the bird fledged. There was just one chick and the female was always hanging around of course. Once in awhile a male was seen, but I never saw it near the nest. To find a Ruby-throated Hummingbird nest, you just have to be in the right place at the right time when an adult goes to the nest, and they were. The nests are just so tiny! A big thank you to Monica, Joann and Anne for sharing this event. A difficult event to photograph as lighting changed by the second, up in a dark tree and the branches were always moving so I apologize for any poor quality images as some I thought should be included in this post. I have put the images in order as the way they happened. Images were taken from August 22, 2016 thru September 4, 2016.

It all started here…….The female adult Ruby-throated Hummingbird sitting on the nest…

The nest, up in a large tree is about 2″ across and 1″ deep

At this point, not even sure if there is a chick in the nest or and egg...

At this point, not even sure if there is a chick in the nest or an egg, is she just house cleaning?

She sits on the nest, and out comes a feather, still don't know if was laying in the nest from her or is off a chick?

She sits on the nest, and out comes a feather, still don’t know if the feather was laying in the nest from her earlier or is off a chick?

Then the moment, a beak is seen poking up from the nest, it is a chick!

The chick is growing fast, there is "Mom"

The chick is growing fast, there is the female on the branch along with the chick in the nest, calling “Mom”!

Waiting for food

The female lands on the nest with some food…

The feeding begins

The feeding continues…

The feeding continues down deep…

The end of the first portion

And they take a short break

And they start right up and the feeding continues

And it continues down deep

End of the 2 part feeding which I saw often

Nothing goes to waste…

A very short rest after feeding, then the female leaves the nest till the next feeding that were running about 15-20 minutes apart

I’m leaving for now

I will be back soon, chick in the background “Mom”!

Female perches in a near by tree on a branch within sight of the nest for awhile typically after feeding the chick

Spreading the wings and doing some fluttering, practicing up for the first flight out of the nest to a near by branch

Stretching those wings

Preening and working that tongue

Two birds in one nest, I think the female was trying to open the nest up more which is what they do as the chick grows, the nest expands

Preening

Just about time to fly, but the chick fledged on September 4, 2016 about 9:00 am. I hope they are all doing well now!

Spreading those wings…

Just about time to fly, the chick fledged on September 4, 2016 about 9:00 am. I hope they are all doing well!

Green Herons at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on August 30, 2016

By admin | August 30, 2016 - 9:08 pm |August 31, 2016 Bird Categories, Bitterns, Herons, and Allies

6 Comments

With a slower time of the year for birding, Greenfield Park in Milwaukee always seems to have something going on. I stopped in there this morning and watched a few of the Green Herons present doing their thing, fishing, preening or just hanging out. While observing the Green Herons today the ate small fish. These appear to be first summer Green Herons born in 2015. A few Great Blue Herons were also present today but no Black-crowned Night-Herons were seen. Images were taken on August 30, 2016.

Green Heron

Binomial name: Buborides virescens

Category: Bitterns, Herons, and Allies

Size: 18” long, 26” wing span

Weight: 7 oz

Preening

Preening

With a feather

Fishing

Gets the fish!

Fishing

Scratching

Fishing

Scratching

Fishing

Great Blue Heron with a Bullhead

Sneaking through the water looking for its next snack

Just hanging out

White-winged Dove at Argyle in Lafayette County Wisconsin on July 17, 2016

By admin | August 18, 2016 - 7:04 pm |December 18, 2016 Bird Categories

4 Comments

I decided to try for the rare White-winged Dove that was reported a while back, late June in Lafayette County. With some complied information I tried my luck and the bird was found. The location of this bird was not revealed at the time because of the location. With recent updates I have received, the bird has not been seen for some time now. The bird had been hanging around this location, the town of Argyle for a couple of weeks at the time and I had been serious about getting this bird on my life list. I headed out early in the morning back on the 17th of July just as some storms were passing through the area but great weather was on the horizon. As I pulled up at the reported location, still inside the car, I heard the unique call of the White-winged Dove. I got out of the car and within a minute or so I spotted the bird high up in a deciduous tree. With a pretty good looks, at that time I confirmed the life bird. After a minute or so it flew to a very high spruce tree, from tall spruce tree to tall spruce tree it flew in couple block radius, seemed to be making the rounds. The bird did a lot of horizontal gliding when it flew so it was difficult to get a lot of the white winged action photographed of this bird. The bird also called often from each tree it went to so when I did lose it a couple times, it did not take long to re-locate it. After awhile it did leave the area and so did I. A great day birding with nice temperatures and some sun. Images were taken on July 17, 2016. The normal range for this bird is southern parts of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. Many thanks to the finder of this bird and information provided.

White-winged Dove

Binomial name: Zenaida asiatica

Category: Pigeons and Doves

Size: 11.5” long, 19” wing span

Weight: 5 oz

Preening

The bill

This bird did a lot of tree-top to tree-top flying in the very small town of Argyle

The White-winged Dove typically hung out on tall spruce trees in the small town of Argyle

!st view of the White-winged Dove high up in a deciduous tree after arriving to the area

After getting out of the car and locating the bird by the call, this was the 1st view of the White-winged Dove high up in a deciduous tree

Juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron Catching Fish at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on August 14, 2016

By admin | August 14, 2016 - 6:38 pm |August 17, 2016 Bitterns, Herons, and Allies

3 Comments

I checked out Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County this morning to see what was happening. Surprisingly the park seems to always have something happening with birds. There have been a couple of juvenile Black-crowned Night-Herons hanging around. Today when I was present one of the Black-crowned Night-Herons gave nice views fishing and catching some fish too. When I was present one ate 3 fish, 2 larger bullheads and 1 smaller minnow size. Another juvenile sat up in a tree farther away and rested while I was there. It was a beautiful morning out with mild temps and mostly sunny skies. Images were taken on August 14, 2016.

Black-crowned Night-Heron

Binomial name: Nycticorax nycticorax

Category: Bitterns, Herons, and Allies

Size: 25” long, 44” wing span

Weight: 1.9 lb

Fishing

Fishing

Catches 1st Bullhead and moves onto shore

Works on killing the Bullhead

Lays it on the shore then stabs it

Still working on killing the Bullhead

Ready to swallow this fish

Swallowed the fish but did not change positions, but you can see the neck size has increased

Leaf in mouth

Eats the minnow size fish

Catches Bullhead #2

Still killing Bullhead #2

Fishing off shore…

Serious fishing off the log

More fishing…

Next is the big catch!

Hanging out

Preening

American White Pelicans at Lake Sinissippi in Dodge County Wisconsin on August 10, 2016

By admin | August 12, 2016 - 6:31 pm |September 7, 2022 Bird Categories, Pelicans

9 Comments

I checked out a birding spot coming home from Horicon Marsh and found some American White Pelicans on Lake Sinissippi. These appeared to be mostly juveniles but not 100% certain. They were fishing in groups which pelicans typically do and missed fish on most occasions under the water. A few times one in the group would get a nice size fish and the group would go crazy, they fought hard trying to take fish from the one who got it. I noticed on a couple images one pelican actually put the pelican with the fish in a head-lock and next in a neck-hold! It got pretty crazy! A fun couple hours out when I least expected it.

American White Pelican

Binomial name: Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

Category: Pelicans

Size: 62” long, 108” wing span

Weight: 16.4 lbs

Cool fact: One of the largest birds in North America. Their pouch, bottom of their bill can hold up to 3 gallons of water.

American White Pelicans

When the start to fish, they gather in some what a circle, put their bills in the water and try to all go down into the water about the same time

For fishing, many pelicans gather in some what a circle, put their bills in the water and try to all go down into the water about the same time, amazing!

They all go down into the water about the same time.

Fishing…

This group came up empty, no fish

Time to re-group, move to another location and try again

Time to re-group, they move to another location, usually near by and try again, they must hear fish, sense fish, as they are attracted to a new location. The process was on going the time I was present.

They fish again

Going down once again, they do this for hours, typically how the pelican fishes for food

Down they go…

A fish is caught on the left and it gets crazy as other pelicans want the fish too!

The excitement continues as they try to take the fish away

The struggle continues, the fish still in the pelicans pouch…

The struggle continues…

and continues…

Will this pelican give up the fish?

Still has the fish in the pouch on the right trying get control of the fish

Looks like a head-lock is being used by another pelican on the left, they are still after the fish!

Now it looks like a neck-hold is being used in the middle!

Not giving it up, fish in the pouch in the middle

The struggle still continues…

The struggle is still on…

Finally the pelican heads out of the group with the fish…

Away it goes, it has gotten away with the fish

Off it goes with the fish

American White Pelican

Going fishing

Doing some preening

More preening

American White Pelican making a pass over the area

American White Pelican makes a loop around the area

The flyover

The landing

Fishing

Another fish, on the left side

Another struggle, fish in the middle

The struggle continues, a few other pelicans want the fish too

Going with the fish in pouch

The struggle

No swallowing this fish, I think just getting a better grip on it

Not swallowing this fish, I think just getting a better grip on it, it moved out of the area with it…

Things settle down and this pelican takes the fish elsewhere

Sensing something here, maybe fish?

American White Pelican

American White Pelicans

Moving to the right…probably a juvenile

American White Pelican, probably a juvenile

American White Pelican

Cicada emerging from a nymph at Veteran’s Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on August 7, 2016

By admin | August 7, 2016 - 6:26 pm |August 7, 2016 Cicada

2 Comments

I did some birding along the lakefront in Milwaukee this morning and after getting a couple glimpses of Yellow-crowned Night Herons I ran into Derek. We did some bird talking and as we did that, we noticed a Cicada, sometimes called a Dogday Harvestfly or Dogday Cicada, Tibicen canicularis, coming out of a nymph that was attached to Darek C’s backpack of all places. The skin splits on the nymph and the Cicada drops out. An amazing event watching this all take place over a period of time. It is said these nymphs live in the ground and whenever they come out, for whatever reason this event takes place. The Cicada can live from 2-4 weeks. After the Cicada leaves the nymph, it hangs there just like a butterfly out of the cocoon and drys off and things start happening with this creature. It made its way from the backpack, to a small branch, onto a leaf, then onto a log. It is amazing what is going on around us. Images from this event were taken on August 7, 2016.

The nymph skin splits and the adult Cicada slowly pushes out. Here it is hanging on the back of the backpack.

Cicada, sometimes called Dogday Harvestfly or Dogday Cicada

Binomial name: Tibicen canicularis

Category: Annual Cicada

Size: 1″-1.25″ inches in length

Cool fact: The male Cicada makes the loud and complex sounds to attract females for mating.

Hanging out drying and letting fluids move through the system

Hanging out drying and letting fluids move through the system

Hanging out drying and letting fluids move through the system

Moving away from the nymph

Onto a old leaf…

Onto a log…

End view

When I left, it was just resting and probably waiting for time to pass to get out flying

Great Egrets and more at the Horicon Marsh in Dodge County Wisconsin on August 5, 2016

By admin | August 5, 2016 - 6:38 pm |August 6, 2016 Bird Categories, Bitterns, Herons, and Allies

8 Comments

I went up to Horicon Marsh early this morning to see what was going on. Lots of Great Egrets as what has been reported there. Some of the other birds seen to note, Black-necked Stilts, Dowitchers, Black-crowned Night Herons, Sora, Great Blue Herons, Black Terns and a American Bittern, a long awaited life bird for me. I did not get a shot of this bird as it flew in front of me as I was just pulling up on the shoulder on Hwy 49. As I talked with a couple of birders on the Hwy moments later, they too had seen the American Bittern. Lots of juvenile birds seen today, too many to list. It was a beautiful day at the marsh with a cool breeze and mostly sun. Most images are of the Great Egrets and Great Blue Herons, some of the other birds were in the harsh sunlight to the south of Hwy 49, no images taken. Images were taken on August 5, 2016

Great Egrets

Sora

Sora

Sora

Sora

Sora

Black-necked Stilt

Pied-billed Grebe, juvenile

Pied-billed Grebe, juvenile just resting

American Coot, juvenile

Great Egrets

Great Egret with the catch

Great Egret, the catch!

Great Egret, with the catch

Great Egret, the gulp!

Great Egret fishing

Great Egret with the catch

Great Egret, a little preening going on

Great Egret

Great Egret a miss!

Great Egret fishing

Great Egret just looking around

Great Egret in the tree

Great Blue Heron, juvenile

Great Blue Heron, juvenile, not sure what this is all about when it shakes it’s head as if it has a bee in the month which I don’t think is what is going on

Great Blue Heron, juvenile

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Royal Catchfly in Waukesha County Wisconsin on July 31, 2016

By admin | July 31, 2016 - 7:51 pm |August 1, 2016 Bird Categories, Hummingbirds

6 Comments

A pair of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have been hanging around the yard here this summer in Waukesha County. We have seen very little of them all summer but in just the last couple of days they have been hitting the Royal Catchfly, one of the many plants they get nectar from here in the yard. The male is seen less and I am still hoping for some shots of that beauty. I took a few minutes today to photograph the adult female in action. Images were taken on July 31, 2016.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Binomial name: Archilochus colubris

Category: Hummingbirds

Size: 2.8″-3.5″ long, 3” – 4” wingspan

Weight: 0.071 oz. – 0.21 oz.

Habitat: Broadleaf and pine forests, orchards, meadows, parks, and gardens

Falling nectar

Swallow-tailed Kite at Fish Creek in Door County Wisconsin on July 27, 2016

By admin | July 27, 2016 - 3:41 pm |August 2, 2016 Bird Categories, Hawks, Kites, Eagles, and Allies

11 Comments

I had not been on the computer all day yesterday until late afternoon and what a nice surprise to see a Swallow-tailed Kite was found in Door County. I arrived at sun up near Fish Creek and the 1st 3 hours were very quiet. Then I followed what I thought was a birder in a car and stopped her as she was turning around in a drive. It was Ann Gamble, the finder of this awesome Swallow-tailed Kite. We just talked for a minute and she said that the location we were at was the main place she had seen the Swallow-tailed Kite. In less then a minute, there the kite was gracefully gliding high up. Probably catching insects on the fly or just enjoying the thermals. It did this for at least 1 hour and for the most part remained distant. The male kite put on a phenomenal show. Talking with Ann, she said the bird has maybe been there a month already as her sister talked of a bird fitting the kite description awhile back. Ann has been following the bird on and off approximately the last 10 days. Thanks to Ann for finding this bird, getting some shots of it, getting the ID, and getting the word out for others to see. A life bird for me and an exciting one at that! This bird typically breeds in Florida, and winters for the most part in South America. Images were taken on July 27, 2016.

Swallow-tailed Kite

Binomial name: Elanoides forficatus

Category: Hawks, Kites, Eagles, and Allies

Size: 22” long, 51” wing span

Weight: 15 oz

Top view

Top view

Wildflower Walk and Photo Shoot at the Retzer Nature Center in Waukesha Wisconsin on July 19, 2016

By admin | July 19, 2016 - 5:34 pm |July 20, 2016 Wildflowers

3 Comments

We had a very nice turnout of members show up this morning for the annual wildflower walk and photo shoot at the Retzer Nature Center in Waukesha. This annual event is a field trip for the Retzer Nature Center Camera Club. Lighting was nice early this morning with light cloud cover and very little wind for the 2 hour event. I think the group walked away with some great shots as it is peak blooming time for many native species at the nature center. It was a fun event for everyone in sharing some of each others photography tips and ideas. Some images to share from the event today on July 19, 2016.

Cardinal Flower, Lobelia cardinalis

Wild Petunia, Ruellia humilis

Yellow Coneflower, Ratibida pinnata

Nodding Onion, Allium cernuum

Hoary Vervain, Verbena stricta

Rosenweed, Silphium integrifolium

Culver’s Root, Veronicastrum virginicum

Wild Bergamot, Monarda fistulosa

Prairie Indian Plantain, Arnogossum plantagineum

Pale Indian Plantain, Cacalia atriplicifolia

Rattlesnake Master, Eryngium yuccifolium

Woodland Sunflower, Helianthus divaricatus

Sweet Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia subtomentosa

Purple Coneflower, Echinacea purpurea

Compass Plant, Silphium laciniatum

Dense Blazingstar, Liatris spicata

Blackeyed Susan, Rudbeckia hirta

Early Goldenrod, Solidago juncea

Chimney Swifts Nesting in a Barn Silo in Ozaukee County Wisconsin on July 18, 2016

By admin | July 18, 2016 - 7:34 pm |July 14, 2019 Bird Categories

13 Comments

I had the opportunity to photograph unique situation of a nesting pair of Chimney Swifts in the silo at a barn in Ozaukee County Wisconsin today. When I arrived the landowner, Tom Uttech, who is a known birder himself directed me to the location at the bottom of the silo inside. The bird was flushed when we went in with the slightest nose we made, just touching cardboard. The amazing nest was built on the opposite side from where we were. It looked like it is glued to the inside wall of the silo and composed of small sticks, and not a very big nest. Tom left and in about 15 minutes an adult appeared fairly high up in the silo, I did not see it or hear it come in. It worked it’s way down to the nest kind of falling, fluttering and grabbing the wall at the same time. It went down just below the nest on the side and sorta flew into it. After about 15 minutes another adult appeared near the top of the silo again and also worked its way down. The adult on the nest flew out so fast I never saw it happen and the new adult replaced the one that was on the nest. My conclusion was they were incubating the eggs. When on the nest, they moved around in different positions as it looks like they were on different eggs on covering different parts of the nest. They each preened while on the nest but for the most part remained still, I could only see heart beat movements. One swift did some nest maintenance while on the nest. I asked the landowner how he discovered them? He said last year he noticed a couple of Chimney Swifts and bats too. this year he just thought he saw more Chimney Swifts. Then one day he went below the silo and looked in, it was a flush and he noticed the nest. He hoped the word gets out and everyone looks in silos to see there are more Chimney Swifts doing this. In the time I spent there a pair a Rock Pigeons showed up, made some odd sounds but peacefully left. See what the future brings with this, when will the eggs hatch? It was an amazing experience. Many thanks to the Tom Uttech for the opportunity to share this unique find with others. Images are not of the highest quality because light was very low and a flash was not used. Images were taken on July 18, 2016.