Bird Photography Weekly - Common Redpolls

There is a lot of excitement in southeastern Wisconsin this winter about Common Redpoll sightings. I saw them for the first time at my feeders in northern Wisconsin during the winter of 2007. We generally only visit the place "up north" once a month or so during the winter but have seen them fairly regularly when we're there.
They have not yet shown up at my feeders in Wauwatosa (at least not when I've been home to notice) but I'll keep watching!

Bird Photography Weekly

A new backyard bird frequented our feeders during the deep freeze last week - the red-bellied woodpecker. While we occasionaly saw them in the nearby parks we had not had one in our yard at our feeders before. He spent so much time at the suet feeder that getting photos was easy and because school was cancelled due to the cold temperatures and windchill factor I was home to take full advantage of the photo opp.

The subzero temperatures increased our feeder activity in general. We were visited by dozens of goldfinches, juncos, house finches, and house sparrows. Thankfully it has warmed up over the last few days but it was back to work today. For more brilliant bird photos from all over the world check out Bird Photography Weekly.

My Power Bird

Wendy over at Musings on Nature had a link to determine your Power Bird. I took the quiz and found out my Power Bird is a Vulture. A vulture, really? Here is the description that was returned. All good characteristics but for some reason I just don't think vulture when I read it!

You are always changing your life and the lives of those around you.
You aren't afraid to move on from what holds you back.
Energetic and powerful, you have a nearly unlimited capacity for success.
You know how to "go with the flow" and take advantage of what is given to you.

Bird Photography Weekly

I was hoping to post photos of eagles gathered along the Wisconsin River near Praire du Sac this week. We field tripped there on Saturday to eagle watch and did indeed spot 4 or 5 from three different viewing stations but none were close enough to make a photo possible so I'm offering Loons instead. We always have a pair who nest on our lake "up north" and this summer they had one chick survive. We saw all three of them as late as the end of October.

More info on eagle watching at Prairie du Sac can be found at this link. This weekend is the official Eagle Festival. A very nice side trip can be taken to the nearby Wollersheim Winery. They offer free tasting and produce a seasonal wine called Eagle White. A portion of proceeds from sales of Eagle White wine are donated to support local eagle habitat. For more great bird photography, visit Bird Photography Weekly.

Bird Photography Weekly

Happy New Year everyone! This lovely Flicker was photographed in northern Wisconsin, obviously in warmer weather. I was in the frozen northwoods last week and enjoyed the constant company of the chickadees, goldfinches, nuthatches (white and red breasted), the downy, hairy and pileated woodpeckers, the blue jays, even a pair of purple finches for a couple of days. Really looking forward to May and spring migration. Find more fantastic bird photos at Bird Photography Weekly.