Blog Archives
Weekly Photo Challenge:Foreign
Friends, These birds are sometimes foreign to Wisconsin having migrated from the far North. We are Florida to these rough-legged Hawks. I am putting together a book of the hawks that i have photographed from Hawk Ridge this fall during the migration. One specie is being difficult to get a photo, although a few have gone over the ridge, I have not been there when a Rough-Legged Hawk has been in hand. This Roughie was photographed by me in Crex during a recent irruption year, maybe it will be my only photograph. They get their name from the beautiful feathering on their legs that protects them from ice, snow and other hazards of the very far northland. I have three days left to photo this bird, maybe I will get lucky. til Tomorrow MJ
Young Eagle
Friends, this Bald Eagle is a youngster, but not sure if it is a hatch year bird or older, they don’t reach maturity until they are five years old and the plumage changes every year. This immature was perched in a birch tree on a cloudy day, hence the white background. Several Eagles of all ages were gathered above a deer that was probably a wolf kill. They were enjoying their breakfast til i came along and disturbed their Thanksgiving dinner (early), the wild have to eat when the opportunity arises, til Tomorrow MJ
Handsome Fella
Friends,this pheasant was not afraid of the rain and came out to visit with me, he ran parallel to my car for awhile and i shot his portrait, then he disappeared into the marsh. I love the red webbing around his eye, I have never observed that up close before, so it is a first for me, had to share with you, til Tomorrow MJ 
The Chase
Friends, this is Trumpeter Swan 47E and i think he/she woke up cranky. As these swans were settling into their nightly roost, there was lots of chasing and jostling to vie for space. After about ten minutes of this activity all were quietly preening and tolerating the presence of others. Not your typical swan image but tells of behavior not often shown, I love the feathering on the underside of the wing, til Tomorrow MJ
October Photo Challenge
Friends, this image is to show what October means to me and to enter the October Photo Challenge, please tune in and enter, it is still October, isn’t it?, but October means bird migration to me. These Greater Sandhill Cranes are on their way to the south and if you follow my blog regularly, you have seen the hawk migration up close and personal, til Tomorrow MJ
Mother and Child -Trumpeter Swans
Friends, this is not a mating pair of Trumpeter Swans, but an adult (in front) leading a youngster from this years hatch. The young swan is gray with a pink bill, while the adult is white with a black bill. There are many Trumpeters on Crex Meadows right now, gathering for their migration. This family of five didn’t like all the noise that the Sandhill Cranes were making, so they departed. til Tomorrow MJ
Snow?? No Just Snow Buntings
Friends, this beautiful bird is visiting this winter having migrated from somewhere up near the Arctic circle. This snow bunting is in non-breeding plumage and note the feathers around the top part of the legs that protect them from ice and snow. He is walking along the edge of Phantom Lake in Crex Meadows on a beautiful sunny Sunday. til Tomorrow MJ
Weekly Photo Challenge:Silhouette
Friends, I know I cheated a little by leaving some details in my silhouettes, but when totally dark against a light background they lose that flying delicate feathery look. These are Greater Sandhill Cranes that are gathered by the thousands on the marshes and corn fields around Crex Meadows. They are feeding and resting for a while before another push to southern climes, the snow will eventually drive them from Wisconsin. They keep me outside, hiking, photographing and waiting for the snow, BAH Humbug, til Tomorrow MJ
On the Meadows
Friends, this morning we are back at Crex Meadows in Northwestern Wisconsin, where the Trumpeter Swans are passing through on the migration. This beautiful bird is preening her feathers and admiring her fine figure in the lake water. A ballerina balanced on one foot, all she needs is a tutu, this week has been a bit gray in the meadow and we are out walking the young dog and mourning the passing of our old dog. The Meadow colors make life a bit more bearable. Below is an image of the grass colors and the pond where thousands of Sandhill Cranes and Mallard ducks are also gathering to help with the harvest of wild rice. til Tomorrow MJ
Angry Redtail
Friends, this Red tailed Hawk is not a happy camper. Her hackles are raised on the back of her head and her mouth is open, both signs of a bird who is not happy. As she was stroked by the educator she became quiet and her hackles went back to normal. She is a beautiful mature female buteo and minutes after this photo was taken , she was released back to the wild thermals above Hawk Ridge. I am running out of Hawk images, so I need to return to Crex or go back to Hawk Ridge. Hmmmm, such a lovely decision, til Tomorrow MJ
MJ Springett 