Birds
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Most people stay inside during a snowstorm. I decided to sit outside in the snow waiting for a Cardinal. Good thing I did. This gal wanted her picture taken.
This house finch does not seem to mind the bad weather as he sits and wipes off his face.
An American Coot cruizing across a pond.
A Great Blue Heron lurks at the bottom of a waterfall looking for a meal.
A Turkey Vulture soaring over Devil's Lake State park.
A young Cedar Waxwing enjoying some berries.
The great egret returned, and I got a shot of him in flight. Much better results when you have a memory card in the camera. :P
Just a mallard chilaxing on a log.
One of the many gulls called seagulls, these are sometimes considered a nuisance bird. I actually think they are very elegant and clever. Just make sure you guard your french fries.
Not good weather for driving, but great weather for "birds in the snow" pictures. This Northern Cardinal does not mind the snow at all.
On a cold day, it's good to jump around like this Downy Woodpecker.
Okay, I don't know how old they are, but they are a bunch of American Coots. These guys were out swimming with the ducks on a cool fall day.
Saw this nice Red-winged Blackbird sitting peacefully up in a tree. Actually, I think he was yelling at me for hiking in the woods near him.
A robin fueling up before heading south to warmer areas.
A juvenile Cedar Waxwing throwing back a berry.
A Great Egret shaking off its feathers. I actually "would have" got a good shot of him flying yesterday, but there was no memory card in my camera when I was shooting. Whoops.
Normally, I don't like taking bird butt photos, but it was pretty fascinating watching this Black-crowned Night-Heron bend down for a drink. If only I could have gotten him to wear a little top hat.
A female mallard coming in for a landing.
A female Baltimore Oriole wating for her turn at the bird feeder.
Hunker down people! Very cold here in Wisconsin (Feels like -20F) Birds are fluffing up and trying to keep out of the wind.
Sometimes it's a challenge to photograph nature. Other times, a hawk just lands in the neighbor's nicely lit tree.
This shy mallard was basking in the afternoon fall sun and enjoying a good cool swim.
Do I have somthing on my beak?
A house finch haning out in a pine tree on a fall day.
A house finch hanging out on a cool fall day. I am not sure what the blob on his beak is.
Love these little guys. They are always so busy.
Taking a break from hunting the songbirds in my backyard, this Cooper's Hawk takes a moment to bathe and admire his feather pants.
A Black-crowned Night-Heron spending the day perched on a tree.
A female mallard takes flight.
An Indigo Bunting peaking around the feeder. Like Blue Jays, thier feathers are not actually pigmented blue. Structures in the feathers only reflect blue light giving them a blue appearance.
The Finch That Stole Christmas
Although it can be a bit of a bother sometimes, the snow does make a beautiful backdrop.
A Cooper's Hawk sits atop a tree looking for a quick meal.
A mallard flapping off some water after doing some diving for snacks.
A Turkey Vulture roosting in a dead tree at Devil's Lake State Park.
This Great Blue Heron was enjoying the autumn evening sun.
The very common house sparrow. Many people do want them in their backyards and try to find ways to keep them away. I don't mind them and find them quite fun to watch.
Getting ready to go south. The hummingbirds are very active and are eating like crazy. They'll soon be gone for the winter and return in spring.
This owl is being rehabilitated at the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Sometimes you just have to scratch the itch.
Even on snowy days, the birds are still out doing their thing. Carry your own weather.
A male Wood Duck having a swim on a cool autumn day.
A Great Blue Heron finhing at the bottom of a waterfall.
A Turkey Vulture perched ominously in a tree at Devils Lake State Park.
Out for a short hike, I saw a little flock of Cedar Waxwings having a feast on berries. They are such cool-looking birds.
The Blue Jay is a favorite, but loud, visitor to the backyard. Blue Jays frequently mimic calls of hawks to let other jays know that a hawk is around.
A Great Blue Heron preening itself after a rain storm in northern Wisconsin. Great blue herons are about 3 feet tall and have a wingspan of 6 feet.
A male mallard (eclipse plumage) swims around alone in a pond.
A male Wood Duck with "Eclipse Plumage." After breeding season, males molt to a duller plumage called Eclipse Plumage. They cannot fly until their flight feathers are regrown and are back to their full colors.