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 … Continue reading
One of my birding stops today in Milwaukee County produced great views of a Barred Owl. It appeared to be just resting and did not mind my presence from a distance. It was a cloudy day, mild temps for this time of year around 40 degrees. Image was taken on … Continue reading
I was out for a walk in Marquette County when a Barred Owl flew off in front of me. It perched nearby and gave nice views for a photo. It was a partly cloudy day with some light snow flurries on and off, low winds and temps around 35 degrees. … Continue reading
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 … Continue reading
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 … Continue reading
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 … Continue reading
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 … Continue reading
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, … Continue reading
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 … Continue reading
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 … Continue reading
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 … Continue reading
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 … Continue reading
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 … Continue reading
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 … Continue reading
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 … Continue reading
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 … Continue reading
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 … Continue reading
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 … Continue reading
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 … Continue reading
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 … Continue reading
