Birdwatching in Marquette County

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While birdwatching in Marquette County, I was able to photograph Eastern Bluebirds, a Red-headed Woodpecker, and others on October 26, 2013. Images were taken near a small water source where birds were coming and going, bathing, preening and drinking.   To see the gallery of images, please click here.

Rufous Hummingbird

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Rufous Hummingbird photographed in Sheboygan, Wisconsin on October 27, 2013. Rufous Hummingbird Binomial name: Selasphorus rufus Category: Hummingbirds Description: Primarily rust-colored feathers with a small patch of white on the chest.  Red-orange patch on throat.   Short wings and a slender, slightly sloping bill. Size: 2.8″-3.5″ long, 3” – 4” wingspan Weight: … Continue reading →

Yellow-rumped Warblers and Cedar Waxwings Sharing Berries

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Yellow-rumped Warblers and Cedar Waxwings sharing the berries of a cedar tree in Waukesha County.  Photographs taken October 19, 2013. Yellow-rumped Warbler Binomial name: Setophaga coronata Category: Wood-Warblers Description: Both males and females have gray streaks, white on wings, and yellow rumps.  Males have black streaking on slate blue backs … Continue reading →

Red-headed Woodpecker Storing Acorns

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A Red-headed Woodpecker storing acorns for the winter in Marquette County, WI.  Photographs taken October 13, 2013. Red-headed Woodpecker Binomial name: Melanerpes erythrocephalus Category: Woodpeckers and Allies Description: Red head with black back and white underparts.  The wings are black with white wingtips.  Adult males and females have identical plumage … Continue reading →

White-Tailed Kite

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White-Tailed Kite near Leola Marsh, Adams County, Wisconsin.  Photographed on September 30, 2013. White-Tailed Kite Binomial name: Elanus leucurus Category: Hawks, Kites, Eagles, and Allies Description: White with black shoulders and wingtips; elongated wings and tail.  Red eyes and yellow legs. Size: 14” – 17” long, 35” – 40” wingspan … Continue reading →

Harris’s Sparrow

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Harris’s Sparrow photographed at Retzer Nature Center in Waukesha, WI on September 25th and 26th, 2013. Harris’s Sparrow Binomial name: Zonotrichia querula Category: Emberizids Description: Brown face and back, both overlaid with black markings especially crown, face, and throat.  White on wings and underparts.  Pink bills and legs. Size: 6.7″ … Continue reading →

Leucistic Ruby-throated Hummingbird

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Leucistic Ruby-throated Hummingbird photographed in Waukesha County on September, 18 2013. Leucistic Ruby-throated Hummingbird Binomial name: Archilochus colubris Category: Hummingbirds What is Leucism?  Leucism is an uncommon condition in birds.  This condition is caused by a genetic mutation which prevents pigments, particularly melanin, from being deposited evenly in the bird’s … Continue reading →

Western Sandpiper

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Western Sandpiper at Bradford Beach, Milwaukee, WI.  Photographs taken September 11, 2013. Western Sandpiper Binomial name: Calidris mauri Category: Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and Allies Description: Brown feathers on back with white underparts.  Dark legs and bill. Size: 5.5” – 6.7” long, 10.2” – 14.6” wingspan Weight: 0.8 oz. – 1.2 oz. … Continue reading →

Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Royal Catchfly

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I had another opportunity to photograph the Ruby-throated Hummingbird in my backyard, this time enjoying Royal Catchfly (Silene regia).  As I mentioned in my last post on this fascinating species (Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Bee Balm), these hummingbirds favor red tubular flowers most of all.  Royal Catchfly, a native of Missouri, … Continue reading →