Wildlife and sanity seem to be returning to my world.

The days are getting longer. The migratory birds are returning and passing through the Chequamegon Bay area. It's great to have "new subjects" to photograph. Some colors are popping out from under the snow. This time last year ice fishing was just about over. All of the landings were inaccessible. This year seems to be on a similar time line.




I was met by this male Cardinal this morning as I was leaving the yard. I had the camera and the 400mm lens.. but did not have a tripod or a monopod. I found the best rest I could and at least managed to get it's wonderful song. I would suggest closing your eyes and just listening.

For those who suffer with motion sickness you might want to hold on and take a dramamine.... just kidding.  Enjoy the song if not the ride.

West-end beach, east-end break-wall and points in between.

 Mute Swan

 Mute Swan

 Mallard and Mute Swan

 Mallard (male).

 Channel buoy. Red right returning from sea.

 Channel buoy

 Tezners' farm (silos) looking northwest toward Washburn.  See photo from a previous post for the view looking southeast toward Ashland..

Part of a small break-wall behind Angler's All.

Great Blue Heron. Short Bridge.

Long Bridge birding. Long telephoto shots.

Geese, Eagles and Pelicans.


Bald Eagles. Two adults and 4 immature eagles.


Bald Eagle over flight.


American White Pelicans

Ross's Goose or a hybrid with "Snow Goose influence".

These two photos were taken on the west end lake shore just east of Bodin's on the Lake. This must be the bird located and ID by Ryan Brady and Tim Oksiuta. Ryan raised some question about it's bill shape and markings suggesting some Snow Goose influence.

I hope these photos will help sort out the final ID.

Base on it's relative size and viewed from a distance I must admit that my initial impression was what is that seagull doing in the middle of all those geese.

Here is a Ross's Goose photographed by Ryan Brady.

Black-bellied Plover

This bird was photographed in Prentice Park. This area also suffers from the Lake Superior low water levels.

Mother Goose

Last weekends birding festival.

Early morning sunrise at the head of the bay. This area with it's sand bars is a great birding area. Many of the photos seen on this blog were taken in this area.


A 5:30 A.M. birding group. This group was lead by Ryan Brady.


Ryan and the same group about one hour later overlooking the same shoreline areas.

I should have posted these sooner. But better late than never.

Sandhill Crane. Short Bridge.

For more information visit here.

Common Tern.

Look close at this birds what do you notice?


For those who live around water you can almost hear this bird calling.

For more information visit here.

Give up on the question above? Does this help?


Update: I asked about tern banding here is the reply I got from Ryan Brady.
The DNR has been banding the Common Terns at Tern Island for many years. Many, if not most, of the birds seen locally, esp. during late spring and summer, are banded. No colors, just aluminum bands.

Thanks Ryan!

American Avocet.

For more information visit here.

Update: 05/22/07 the Avocet was on Westend beach at noon and at 16:00 today. Here are several more photos taken today.








This is a pose this bird would maintain for 3-5 minutes at at time. At first I thought it was preening but later I felt it might be a resting pose. Anyone know? Ryan? Tim?

Lesser Yellowlegs

For more information visit here.

Yellowlegs

Solitary Sandpiper