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Window to Wildlife features the photography of Jim Edlhuber. A lifelong native of Wisconsin, Jim has been photographing wildlife for 20 years. He considers himself an avid photographer and is always trying to capture nature and wildlife through his lens. He is in several photography clubs and has won numerous awards for his work. In recent years, Jim has focused mostly on birding photography and finds it to be the most challenging.

Sandhill Cranes at the Bark River in Delafield in Waukesha County on January 11, 2024

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While birding out in Waukesha County I came across 16 Sandhill Cranes on the Bark River in Delafield. They were just hanging out doing some preening and not very active. They are probably saving their energy for the days ahead with snow and cold in the forecast. It was a cloudy day, mild temps around 34 degrees, with low winds. Images were taken on January 11, 2024.

Sandhill Crane…

Sandhill Cranes, pair…

All of them, 16 Sandhill Cranes…

A pair…

Some preening…

Some more preening…

Sandhill Cranes…

Preening…

A group, some preening…

Just beautiful…

Wisconsin birding, the year in review 2023. Includes vagrants, special visitors or just the beautiful birds that either nest here or migrate through the state of Wisconsin.

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I have put together a collection of some of the Wisconsin birding moments from the year 2023. The collection includes vagrants, special visitors, or just the beautiful birds that nest here or migrate through the state of Wisconsin. All images were taken in 2023. It was a very exciting year with the birds and also birding with some old birding friends and meeting some new ones, too. Finishing up this year with adding 4 more birds to my Wisconsin life list now standing at 375. Thanks to everyone who helped make this happen. When putting this post together, once again, it amazes me what birds were seen this year here in Wisconsin!

Trumpeter Swan on the Bark River Trail in Waukesha Co 1-9-2023

Mute Swan on the Fox River at Frame Park in Waukesha Co 1-15-2023

Long-eared Owl in Milwaukee Co 1-16-2023

Long-eared Owl in Milwaukee Co 1-16-2023

Barred Owl in Milwaukee Co 1-18-2023

American Tree Sparrow in Waukesha Co 1-29-2023

Mandarin Duck at South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee Co 2-10-2023

Mandarin Duck at South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee Co 2-10-2023

Mandarin Duck at South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee Co 2-10-2023

Wood Duck at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee Co 2-20-2023

Wood Duck at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee Co 2-20-2023

The pair of Redhead Ducks, male L female R on the Fox River in Waukesha Co 2-20-2023

Redhead Duck, male on the Fox River in Waukesha Co 2-20-2023

Redhead Duck female on the Fox River in Waukesha Co 2-20-2023

Sandhill Crane finding things to eat in Waukesha County 2-28-2023

Sandhill Crane in Waukesha County 2-28-2023

Sandhill Crane in the South Kettle Moraine in Waukesha Co 3-1-2023

Sandhill Cranes painting in Delafield in Waukesha Co Wisconsin on 3-5-2023

Sandhill Cranes (2) painting themselves in Delafield in Waukesha Co Wisconsin on 3-5-2023

Sandhill Crane in Delafield Waukesha C poking in the mud, they find things to eat 3-5-2023

Killdeer at the Milwaukee Lakefront, a cloacal kiss 3-8-2023

Killdeer at the Milwaukee Lakefront 3-8-2023

Great Horned Owl, owlet on the nest waiting in Waukesha Co 3-20-2023

Great Horned owlet in Milwaukee Co 3-21-2023

Great Horned owlets in Milwaukee Co 3-21-2023

Great Blue Heron at the nest in Waukesha Co 3-24-2023

Great Blue Heron on the nest in Waukesha Co 3-24-2023

Eastern Screech Owl gray morph, precious, this owl in Milwaukee Co 3-27-2023

Eastern Screech Owl gray morph, blends in so well in Milwaukee Co 3-27-2023

Red-headed Woodpecker in Marquette Co 3-31-23

Horned Grebe at the Fox River in Waukesha 4-5-2023

Northern Mockingbird, looking and listening for something to eat at Grant Park Milwaukee Co 4-18-2023

Northern Mockingbird at Grant Park Milwaukee Co 4-18-2023

Northern Mockingbird with a tasty worm at Grant Park Milwaukee Co 4-18-2023

Ross’s Goose at Veterans Park in Milwaukee Co 4-20-2023

Ross’s Goose at Veterans Park in Milwaukee Co 4-20-2023

Bonaparte’s Gull at Grant Park in Milwaukee Co 4-25-2023

Flame-colored Tanager at Sheridan Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on 4-30-2023

Flame-colored Tanager at Sheridan Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin, hopping around in Sumac just below the bluff eating gnats 4-30-23

Willets at South Shore Park in Bayview in Milwaukee Co 4-30-2023

Willet getting something here to eat at South Shore Park in Bayview in Milwaukee Co 4-30-2023

Willet at South Shore Park in Bayview in Milwaukee Co 4-30-2023

Black-throated Blue Warbler, male at Wehr Nature Center Milwaukee Co 5-7-2023

Black-and-white Warbler, male at Wehr Nature Center Milwaukee Co 5-7-2023

Black-throated Green Warbler, male at Wehr Nature Center Milwaukee Co 5-12-2023

White-crowned Sparrow in Marquette Co 5-10-2023

Tree Swallow Marquette Co 5-10-2023

Downy Woodpecker, female Marquette Co 5-10-2023

Ruby-throated Hummingbird getting nectar at an apple tree Marquette Co 5-10-2023

Eastern Towhee, male Marquette Co 5-10-2023

Yellow-rumped Warbler Marquette Co 5-10-2023

Chipping Sparrow Marquette Co 5-10-2023

White-throated Sparrow Marquette Co 5-10-2023

Downy Woodpecker, male Marquette Co 5-10-2023

Baltimore Oriole, male in Marquette Co 5-10-2023

Baltimore Oriole, male singing in Marquette Co 5-10-2023

House Wren singing in Marquette Co 5-10-2023

Brown Thrasher in Marquette Co 5-10-2023

Northern Cardinal, male in Marquette Co 5-10-2023

The Scarlet Tanager, male singing at the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha Co 5-13-2023

Scarlet Tanager male at the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha Co 5-13-2023

Rose-breasted Grosbeak, male in Marquette Co 5-18-2023

Indigo Bunting, male in Marquette Co 5-19-2023

Baltimore Oriole, immature male in Milwaukee Co 5-19-2023

Red-winged Blackbird, male calling at the Fox River in Waukesha 5-20-2023

Sandhill Crane Colt in Waukesha Co 5-20-2023

Baltimore Oriole, female in Marquette Co 5-21-2023

Bobolink calling and waiting for a female at Retzer Nature Center in Waukesha Co 5-22-23

Bobolink, calling and waiting for a male at Retzer Nature Center in Waukesha Co 5-22-23

Ruddy Duck at the Fox River in Waukesha 5-22-2023

Ruddy Turnstone looking for bugs at Bender Park in Milwaukee Co 5-22-2023

Ruddy Turnstone, male at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Co 5-25-2023

One of the 4 Ruddy Turnstones, male at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Co 5-25-2023

One of the Dunlins, in breeding plumage at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Co 5-29-2023

Dunlin, nonbreediing adult plumage at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Co 5-29-2023

A Semipalmated Plover, at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Co 5-29-2023

Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female in Milwaukee Co 6-5-2023

Ruby-throated Hummingbird, female in Milwaukee Co 6-5-2023

Limpkin at Case Eagle Park in Racine Co 7-21-2023

Limpkin, going down for something here at Case Eagle Park in Racine Co 7-21-2023

Limpkin calling at Case Eagle Park in Racine Co 7-21-2023

Roseate Spoonbill hanging out with a Great Egret and Great Blue Heron at Ken Euers Wetland in Brown Co 7-29-2023

Lesser Yellowlegs, looking for something to eat at Mill Pond in South Milwaukee 8-12-2023

Lesser Yellowlegs, going for something to eat at Mill Pond in South Milwaukee 8-12-2023

Lesser Yellowlegs, preening at Mill Pond in South Milwaukee 8-12-2023

American Flamingos, 2 adults and 1 juvenile at South Beach at Port Washington in Ozaukee Co 9-22-2023

The 5 of them, American Flamingos at South Beach at Port Washington in Ozaukee Co 9-22-2023

American Flamingo adult at South Beach at Port Washington in Ozaukee Co 9-22-2023

 

Black-crowned Night Heron at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee Co 9-22-2023

Wood Duck, male in Milwaukee Co 10-9-2023

Wood Duck, female in Milwaukee Co 10-9-2023

Wood Duck, female with a crabapple in Milwaukee Co 10-9-2023

Wood Duck, male with a crabapple in Milwaukee Co 10-9-2023

Horned Grebe at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Co 10-20-2023

Snow Bunting at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Co 11-2-2023

Snow Bunting at McKinley Beach in Milwaukee Co 11-2-2023

Long-tailed Duck at South Milwaukee Yacht Club in Milwaukee Co 11-4-2023

Long-tailed Duck at South Milwaukee Yacht Club in Milwaukee Co 11-4-2023

Hooded Merganser at the Fox River in Waukesha 11-10-2023

Red-tailed Hawk, juvenile at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Co in 11-13-2023

White-breasted Nuthatch in Marquette Co 11-16-2023

Red-winged Blackbird at Lakeshore State Park 11-16-2023

Red Crossbill, male in Marquette Co 11-18-2023

Red Crossbills, males in Marquette Co 11-18-2023

Iceland Gull 2nd cycle on the Fox River at Frame Park in Waukesha 11-20-2023

Ancient Murrelet at George Pinney County Park in Door Co 11-21-2023

Ancient Murrelet at George Pinney County Park in Door Co 11-21-2023

Great Horned Owl resting in a White Pine in Waukesha Co 11-25-2023

Eastern Screech Owl, grey morph in Milwaukee Co 11-27-2023

House Finch, male enjoying a crab apple at the Fox River in Waukesha 12-14-2023

House Finch, female enjoying a crab apple at the Fox River in Waukesha 12-14-2023

American White Pelican on the rocks at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Co 12-16-2023

American White Pelican at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Co 12-16-2023

Barred Owl seen on a walk in Marquette Co 12-27-2023

Barred Owl in Milwaukee Co 12-29-2023

American White Pelican at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on December 16, 2023

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While birding Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee an American White Pelican was present. Not totally uncommon to have a few pelicans around in the winter months if there is open water. It was on a rock shore in the lagoon area giving great looks. It moved around some, to the beach area, then out in the open water in the lagoon and then took off flying south. I heard later it ended up at South Shore Yacht Club. It was a very gloomy day, temps around 40 but with the winds it was pretty cold. Images were taken on December 16, 2023.

The American White Pelican on the rocks…

Preening…

At the beach area….gulls were doing some light harassing and the pelican moved out into the water…

Headed south from the lagoon…

House Finches eating Crab Apples at Fox River in Waukesha on December 14, 2023

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My first birding stop of the morning gave great views of House Finches eating crab apples on a tree in Waukesha along the Fox River. I have seen them along the river often but not eating crab apples. I think the crab apples are softening up now and the birds can enjoy them. It was a gorgeous day with full sun, low winds and mild temps around 36 degrees early in the morning. Images were taken on December 14, 2023.

The male House Finch enjoying a crab apple…

The female House Finch enjoying a crab apple…

Piece by piece they take the crab apple and eat it…

The male House Finch enjoying a crab apple…

The male House Finch enjoying a crab apple…

The male House Finch enjoying a crab apple and perched pretty…

The male House Finch enjoying a crab apple…

The male House Finch nibbling away…

The male House Finch

The male House Finch…

The female House Finch with a bite to eat…

Eastern Screech Owl, Gray Morph in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on November 27, 2023

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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…

Great Horned Owl in Waukesha County on November 25, 2023

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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…

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…