Les Winkeler
@leswinkeler.bsky.social
Retired sports editor, Southern Illinoisan. Owner Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife. Member of Illinois Outdoors Hall of Fame and Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Cranky old man.
Nothing like a good drink of cold water ... even for a common grackle. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
December 18, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Nothing like a good drink of cold water ... even for a common grackle. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
Yes, there really is a bird called a yellow-bellied sapsucker. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
December 16, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Yes, there really is a bird called a yellow-bellied sapsucker. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
The disappearing brown creeper. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
December 15, 2025 at 5:34 PM
The disappearing brown creeper. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
You can actually see the "short ears" on this owl. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
December 10, 2025 at 5:15 PM
You can actually see the "short ears" on this owl. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
The eastern bluebird doesn't seem like a winter bird, but they are here in Southern Illinois all year. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
December 9, 2025 at 3:40 PM
The eastern bluebird doesn't seem like a winter bird, but they are here in Southern Illinois all year. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
The golden hour was the orange hour. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
December 7, 2025 at 6:34 PM
The golden hour was the orange hour. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
The white-throated sparrow is a treat for eyes and ears. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
December 6, 2025 at 4:11 PM
The white-throated sparrow is a treat for eyes and ears. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
I can't not take pictures of great blue herons. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
December 5, 2025 at 2:54 PM
I can't not take pictures of great blue herons. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
Short-eared owls have returned to Illinois. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
December 3, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Short-eared owls have returned to Illinois. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
The eastern towhee is one of the prettiest year-round residents of Southern Illinois. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
December 1, 2025 at 2:51 PM
The eastern towhee is one of the prettiest year-round residents of Southern Illinois. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
Not a fan of winter, but I do like seeing the trumpeter swans. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
November 30, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Not a fan of winter, but I do like seeing the trumpeter swans. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
You know it's winter in Southern Illinois when fox sparrows appear. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
November 29, 2025 at 4:09 PM
You know it's winter in Southern Illinois when fox sparrows appear. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
Happy early Thanksgiving!
November 26, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Happy early Thanksgiving!
Whooping cranes in Illinois? It happens. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
November 25, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Whooping cranes in Illinois? It happens. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
A mockingbird fills the air on a winter's day. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
November 23, 2025 at 4:29 PM
A mockingbird fills the air on a winter's day. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
American white pelican arriving at Rend Lake. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
November 21, 2025 at 2:18 PM
American white pelican arriving at Rend Lake. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
Turkey vulture in Halloween mode. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
November 20, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Turkey vulture in Halloween mode. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
Although nowhere near Waterloo, found this Bonaparte's gull yesterday. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
November 18, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Although nowhere near Waterloo, found this Bonaparte's gull yesterday. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
The ever vigilant red-shouldered hawk. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
November 17, 2025 at 9:24 PM
The ever vigilant red-shouldered hawk. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
Savannah sparrow bath time. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
November 16, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Savannah sparrow bath time. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
It's pelican season in Southern Illinois! Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album
November 15, 2025 at 3:00 PM
It's pelican season in Southern Illinois! Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album
The ring-necked pheasant's colors are both gaudy and incredible camouflage. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album
November 14, 2025 at 1:41 PM
The ring-necked pheasant's colors are both gaudy and incredible camouflage. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album
A common loon stretches its wings. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
November 13, 2025 at 1:24 PM
A common loon stretches its wings. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
The brown thrasher is entertaining -- he does impressions. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
November 12, 2025 at 2:01 PM
The brown thrasher is entertaining -- he does impressions. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
Male lesser scaup out for a swim on a sunny day. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.
November 11, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Male lesser scaup out for a swim on a sunny day. Read more at Winkeler's Wings and Wildlife's Facebook page: facebook.com/brdtrip. Also, see wildlife photo album.