Another fun weekend bog hike with friends in the books. Signs of spring are finally here! Migrating raptors, an early moth (Acleris?), and springtails were fun encounters. Even with a snow covered landscape, there are still plenty of things to take a lichen to!

#Nature #Wisconsin

Nice evening snowshoe at Dewey SNA to wrap the weekend. Managed at least one White-winged Crossbill, otherwise fairly quiet for birds. Beautiful scenery and a phenomenal sunset were enough for consolation.

#Wisconsin #Nature #Snowshoe

Here’s a doc shot of the Golden Eagle.

Finally feeling better after a rough week with the flu. 2.5 miles on the snowshoes this morning at Dewey Marsh with good company! Birds were a bit few and far between with the wind, but a gorgeous morning. A Golden Eagle on the drive out was a nice surprise!

#Wisconsin #Nature #Snowshoe

Finally was able to break out the snowshoes, a bit cold, but bluebird skies and fresh powder made for a gorgeous hike. A few American Robins and a pair of Belted Kingfishers were quite vocal along the Little Plover River.

#winter #nature #Wisconsin

I consider most owls to be superb, but Short-eared Owls have a special place in my heart. This winter has been excellent for them in my local haunts. It has been fun getting to observe them hunt, vocalize, and interact with each other and the resident Northern Harriers.

#birds #owl #Wisconsin

This White Wagtail showed up in Door County late last year. It was a fun experience getting to watch the bird bobbing along the shoreline looking for insects. Lifers in Wisconsin are pretty rare for me these days, but birds never cease to amaze me.

#birds #birding #Wisconsin

It took me way too long to discover Leadplant, but last summer at Crex Meadows it was everywhere. A member of the pea family that occurs in dry prairie. It’s not only a great pollinator plant, but has nitrogen fixing qualities and helps with erosion control. #CrexMeadows #Wisconsin #nativeplants

I slacked on my moth watching last summer, but seeing a few Yellow-shouldered Slug Moths (Lithacodes fasciola) was fun. Not the flashiest of species, but with many moths it’s all in the subtlety. #moths #Wisconsin #Lepidoptera

I’ve been leading local bird walks for a little over a year now. It has been a really cool way to bolster community engagement and connect folks with local bird life. This past weekend we had a nice haul of Rough-legged Hawks like this gorgeous dark morph. #birding #wisconsin

Sunset bog cruise to close the weekend. Wishing we had a little more snow here, my snowshoes are collecting dust.