Author: mslmdr

Orchard Orioles in Wisconsin

Here we see male feeding the female. Orchard Orioles are much less common here than Baltimore Orioles and are slightly smaller in size.

From iBird Pro: Orchard Oriole: Small oriole with black head, back, and tail, and chestnut-orange shoulder patches, underparts, and rump. Wings are black with single broad white bar; flight feathers have white edges. Female has olive-green upperparts, yellow underparts, and two white wing-bars. Juvenile male resembles female but has black bib and face.

Ventura Wetlands and Anacapa Island California 2025

Pileated Woodpecker in Wisconsin 2025

The Pileated Woodpecker is one of the biggest, most striking forest birds on the continent. It’s nearly the size of a crow, black with bold white stripes down the neck and a flaming-red crest. Look (and listen) for Pileated Woodpeckers whacking at dead trees and fallen logs in search of their main prey, carpenter ants, leaving unique rectangular holes in the wood. The nest holes these birds make offer crucial shelter to many species including swifts, owls, ducks, bats, and pine martens.

Killdeer Chick Nebraska 2013

Photos taken at the “Homeplace” near Plainview Nebraska where my father grew up. Nikon D800E, Nikon 80-400mm, 400mm.

Blackburnian Warbler Visits Wisconsin 2025

Fortunate to see this beautiful warbler while he was migrating thru Wisconsin this spring.

Hibiscus coccineus (Texas Star Hibiscus)

also known as Scarlet Rose Mallow, American Scarlet Rose Mallow, Swamp Hibiscus, or Crimson Rosemallow. Texas Star Hibiscus is a perennial flowering plant renowned for its striking, large red flowers and robust growth. It thrives in the wild environments of swamps, marshes, and other moist habitats, adapting well to its native conditions. The flowers are one of its most distinctive features. They are large, about 3 to 5 inches (7 to 12 cm) in diameter, trumpet-shaped, and typically bright crimson red. They are adorned with conspicuous, protruding, creamy-white to pale yellow tubes of stamens. This hardy hibiscus can grow 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 meters) tall. Seen today at the Green Cay Nature Center and Wetlands in Boynton Beach Florida.

Butterflies in Wisconsin

Prairie Warbler 2025

Christel spotted a new bird yesterday while sitting in our screen room.  Prairie Warblers.  The first photo is a male and the second is a female.  You might notice that I shot the second photo through the screen!  Haha!  Still not a bad image.

From iBird Pro: Not often found in prairies!!

Prairie Warbler: Declining in the upper midwestern part of its range. Breeds from southern Ontario and central New England south to Oklahoma, the Gulf Coast, and Florida; local in many areas. Winters in southern Florida and in the tropics. Preferred habitats include mixed pine-oak barrens, old pastures, hillsides scattered with red cedars, open scrub, and mangrove swamps; not often found in prairies.

Wakodahatchee Wetlands 2025 in March

All of the following were seen on a single 90 minute visit and walk on the boardwalk. Incredible amount of wildlife.

Green-winged Teal in Florida 2025

Green-Winged Teal: Breeds from the arctic regions of northern Alaska and Canada south to northern California, Colorado, Nebraska, and New York. Spends winters in southern states, along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, and throughout Mexico. Preferred habitats include marshes, ponds, and marshy lakes.