The Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have been visiting the Bottle Gentian plants here. It is amazing how they go for the nectar in these wildflowers. In some situations they probe into the side of the blooms with their bill. At other times they go in from the top with their bill. In … Continue reading
I made a stop at Bradford Beach around noon after a nice variety of shorebirds were reported in the area earlier in the day. At Bradford Beach all that was present were Sanderlings, about 20 of them scattered across the entire length of the beach. They were all feeding continually … Continue reading
Mid morning yesterday after viewing the Buff-breasted Sandpiper at South Metro I did a quick run to Myers Park in Racine. The highlight was 2 Black-bellied Plovers, juvenile. There was also a Pied-billed Grebe there, but just as I started walking down to the lower area something flushed the grebe, … Continue reading
I made the run to the South Metro Pier in Oak Creek Wisconsin very early this morning with hopes the juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpiper that was reported was still present. It was and it was about 1/4 north of the pier on the shoreline. It was actively feeding most of the … Continue reading
Some recent images taken in Waukesha Wisconsin of the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds on various plants. Images show a young male and adult female on the flower species Cardinal Flower, Yellow Giant Hyssop and Zinnia’s. Images were taken August 24 through September 4, 2014. Ruby-throated Hummingbird Binomial name: Archilochus colubris Category: Hummingbirds … Continue reading
I got a report of 2 Whimbrels at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee late morning and made a quick run in there. They were there as reported. Both of them moved about the rock shorelines, the taller prairie grasses and also the mowed areas feeding on insects. I noticed on … Continue reading
I made an early run to Myer’s Park in Racine this morning to see what birds were present. It was nice to see a Short-billed Dowitcher, juvenile feeding in the puddles when I arrived. Other species present were Black-bellied Plover, Least Sandpipers, Lesser Yellowlegs, a Sanderling and Semipalmated Plovers. A … Continue reading
I decided to make another drive to Racine even though I was there yesterday. A Whimbrel was reported later in the day, it would be a life bird for me. I was there at sunrise. I looked the wetland over for about 10 minutes and did not see movement but … Continue reading
I did some birding today along the Lake Michigan shoreline starting at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee heading south ending up at Myer’s Park in Racine. Overall quiet, with Myer’s Park being the hotspot with the 3 Black-bellied Plovers that have been reported. Other species present were Semipalmated Plovers and Sandpipers, … Continue reading
This rare visitor to the state, the Red Knot was eating well when I left the river last night just before dark. I decided to make another run up there to Hustisford early morning to get a couple more images in day light. I did not see it when I … Continue reading
After seeing a post this evening of a rare visitor to Wisconsin a Red Knot in Hustisford I made the trip up there just before dark, about 7:00 PM. The bird was present as reported below the wires over the river below the dam. A new life bird for me. … Continue reading
I made an early morning run to Bradford Beach on Milwaukee’s Lakefront with hopes in seeing some shorebirds. There is a nice algae bed forming on the south end. Just some of the more common shorebirds were feeding there. Species present were Semipalmated Plovers, Lesser Yellowlegs, Least Sandpipers, Semipalmated Sandpipers … Continue reading
I noticed House Wrens flying back and forth through the yard a couple of days ago and thought I would see what was going on. They were nesting in an older Bluebird house in the yard. Both adults were bringing food to the young in the house. It appeared that … Continue reading
I made the run up to the Spring Green Preserve-west SNA in Sauk County Wisconsin with hopes to see the beautiful Blue Grosbeak and get a life bird too. This uncommon bird for the state has been reported on and off all summer long at this location. I was not … Continue reading
A pair of juvenile Green Herons were present at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin this morning. They worked the shoreline there hunting for food, stretching and resting too. Some of the items they caught were small fish and the Common Blue Damselfly. Also present at the beach area there … Continue reading
I had made the run to North Beach in Racine Wisconsin with hopes to see the reported Red Knot. I missed the bird by an hour! Some shorebirds that were present, Least Sandpipers and Semipalmated Sandpipers, also 1st year Caspian Terns which are always an eye catcher. If I have … Continue reading
Something I have never witnessed before was the Ruby-throated Hummingbird stopping for some nectar at this rare wildflower, Smooth Phlox, Phlox glaberrima interior. It was only a few seconds, but a beautiful moment at that. I assume this bird is a female adult. Photographs were taken on July 25, 2014. … Continue reading
Hummingbird Clearwing Moth photographed on Smooth Phlox, Phlox glaberrima interior in Waukesha Wisconsin. Photographs were taken on July 25, 2014. Name: Hummingbird Clearwing Moth, Hemaris thysbe
I had the opportunity again to photograph the Ruby-throated Hummingbird enjoying Royal Catchfly (Silene regia). Present today was a female, male and young male, they only showed up one at a time. This fascinating species favor red tubular flowers most of all. Royal Catchfly, a native of Missouri, is an … Continue reading
I had the opportunity to photograph the Ruby-throated Hummingbird enjoying Royal Catchfly (Silene regia). I am assuming this is a female. This fascinating species favor red tubular flowers most of all. Royal Catchfly, a native of Missouri, is an excellent candidate here. Photographs taken on July 20, 2014 in Waukesha … Continue reading
