birds, blog, Nature, Photography |

October 14, 2016

Arboretum – Hawk Rescue

Somehow it was June the last time I walked through the UW Arboretum, and I knew I couldn’t let a beautiful fall day like this – mid-60s, sunshine and a light breeze to keep the mosquitoes away – pass me by.

My goal was to look for the changing colors in the Longenecker Horticultural Gardens on October 14, but the birds got the best of me and I quickly spotted the familiar turkeys again.

Then something big and white caught my attention near another tree. I got closer and discovered it was a red-tailed hawk, but it didn’t seem bothered by my presence.

I was within 25 feet of it when I took this photo. Hawks, in my experience, generally fly off quickly, and this one was in no hurry. That’s when I knew something wasn’t quite right.

A couple of years ago I encountered a similar situation in my hometown, and that hawk ended up having internal parasites. You can read about that experience (which has a happy ending) by clicking here or on the newspaper photo. Fitting that I also took photos of turkeys the same day for the paper, too. What can I say … I like birds.

Back to this story, though. I called the arboretum and a few staff members met me at the spot. At that point we speculated on what kind of injury, if any, it might have. Then about 45 minutes later, the hawk suddenly took off and flew right by me, staying very low to the ground.

And when it landed about 50 yards away, it seemed to hobble a little bit. Then it hopped up in a low branch of this tree, sometimes keeping its right leg (which I noticed earlier was banded) tucked in. Click here to watch a short video clip.

Within an hour, help arrived.

That’s John Kraak, from the Dane County Humane Society’s Four Lakes Wildlife Center, and Elizabeth Buschert, who had been hawk-sitting with me while we waited. Even though her role at the arboretum is technically in stormwater monitoring, she said, “If you work here, all sorts of things happen.” Props to the busy staff for making this situation a priority.

I don’t even have any photos of John capturing the hawk in the net, because that’s how fast it happened – quick and painless. He walked up to the tree and seconds later he was taking the hawk out of the net, inspecting its body for any obvious injuries. He’s clearly a pro.

I’m not sure why the hawk’s mouth was open in this shot, but if I had to guess, I’d say it was probably in awe of John’s sweet beard.

I will hopefully have an update soon on the hawk’s condition once I hear back from Four Lakes Wildlife Center. Cross your fingers that it will recover and be released back where we found it.

UPDATE: I called Four Lakes Wildlife Center on Oct. 15 and they said x-rays didn’t reveal any injuries. The hawk is being treated for internal parasites and getting some extra fluids because it was slightly dehydrated. It’s already in their outdoor cage and has been flying well, so now they will wait until it can catch live prey and hopefully release it back at the arboretum next week. Yay!

I continued to walk around the gardens and saw a Northern flicker, female downy woodpecker and what appears to be a female yellow-rumped warbler.

Then I took a leisurely hike through Gallistel Woods.

And this cute black-capped chickadee greeted me on my way out. Hopefully I’ll be back before the leaves all fall.

Update

Almost a week later on October 20, Four Lakes Wildlife Center came back to the UW Arboretum to release the hawk. This was Kayla Wilson’s first release.

A small crowd gathered to see the bird, which was determined to be a 10 1/2-year-old female. She had been treated for dehydration, starvation and parasites, but she made a quick recovery and was ready to be released.

The release was successful, and it didn’t take long for her to perch high in an evergreen and start soaring above the visitor center again.

birds, blog, Events, Nature, Photography, Travel |

June 30, 2016

| samanthacora

Thomson Memorial Prairie

Things aren’t always what they seem.

Take, for instance, Thomson Memorial Prairie just south of Blue Mounds. Reconsider shrugging it off as just another field near expansive farmland, because it’s actually one of the few remaining dry prairies in Wisconsin.

I traveled there on June 4 for a field trip through The Nature Conservancy (which owns and manages over 600 acres of the prairie). TNC conservation director Steve Richter (pointing) and DNR conservation biologist Dave Sample (far left) have led the trip together for nearly 25 years.

The two experts helped point out what was pushing through the soil or flying above us. According to TNC, more than 68 species of plants grow here, and 34 species of birds nest or feed here.

And I was seeing many of them for the first time, like the little white flowers of sandwort and the silhouettes of upland sandpipers chattering overhead.

Rain had just moved through earlier in the morning, but soon the sun broke up the overcast sky and brought the prairie to life. There are no trails here, so we walked wherever we pleased.

Yellow seemed to be a recurring color in the prairie: from flower petals to bumblebee stripes and bobolink caps. We listened and watched for red-winged blackbirds, meadowlarks and dickcissels, which seemed to prefer a high vantage point to share their music from this well-used fence post.

Grasshopper sparrows were more difficult to track down because they tended to stay hidden in the long grass and occasionally let out a buzzing sound, just like their namesake.

But just before we left, guess who showed up on another post?

The view from the top of the hill stretched for miles, and shadows of clouds swept across the landscape. We breathed in the beauty and tried to identify dozens of plants around us.

The only one I recognized was a shooting star, which I first saw about a month earlier at nearby Barneveld Prairie, another site owned by The Nature Conservancy.

I saw a few butterflies in the distance, but this red ladybug in a field of green caught my eye.

You don’t need a camera or pair of binoculars to enjoy the prairie. Just open your eyes and ears to the beauty around you and create your own adventure. And watch out for poison ivy.

For more photos from the day, visit my Flickr page.

birds, blog, Events, Nature, Photography, Travel |

June 26, 2016

| samanthacora

Nature Festival – Forest and Creek

Our third and final day of the 10th annual Chequamegon Bay Birding and Nature Festival was bittersweet. There was still so much we could potentially see on the trails, but we were getting worn out from all the walking. And the mosquitoes – they got pretty bad, too.

North Country Trail

The hilly hike along the North Country National Scenic Trail was very tiring, especially in the heat. Still, plenty to see in the expansive Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. We were led by U.S. Forest Service wildlife specialists Tom Doolittle and Kathy Moe.

Some of the wildflowers we saw were jack-in-the-pulpit and trillium.

We hiked to the top of the “Juniper Rock Overlook” or “Solitude Cliffs” for a scenic view, and Tom shared stories about turkey vultures.

There we saw this colorful plant, though I’m unsure what it is.

When we neared the Marengo River crossing the wildlife sightings seemed to pick up. Someone in the group spotted an uncommon West Virginia White butterfly (which, to me, from far away, looked like a common cabbage white butterfly).

I also saw my first scarlet tanager and moments later, a rose-breasted grosbeak.

We were on our way to the remains of a historic Swedish settlement, but that’s when the mosquitoes swarmed us. We still made it there, though.

Kathy even showed us a remaining apple tree from their orchard, but we were ready to head back.

A snake also slithered by me on the trail on our walk back, and later I found fresh little bear tracks in the mud. Finally, just as we were leaving, I saw the infamous ovenbird that sings “teacher-teacher-teacher.”

To see more photos, check out my Flickr page.

Pikes Creek

Our last festival excursion was to look for birds along a trail near Pikes Creek and Fish Hatchery in Bayfield. And the location – though added to the festival schedule last minute – did not disappoint.

We got lucky and saw the most birds here, including a yellow warbler and common yellowthroat.

This was also the first excursion I had been on where children also came along. I was typically the youngest in every other trip. Before we started on the other end of the trail, we stopped to look for birds close to the shore.

The other side of the trail near the fish hatchery was also a great birding spot. I followed an adorable goose family for a little while.

Okay, back to the birds that people actually travel this far north to see during spring migration. In what was one of the coolest parts of the entire trip, a couple of redstarts darted in and out of the trees and around our heads for about 10 minutes.

And I stayed hidden long enough for this shy chestnut-sided warbler to come out.

It was a wonderful ending to our trip. We commented how nice it would be to come back and walk through the sandy, shallow waters of the creek. Maybe next year.

To see more photos, check out my Flickr page.

2016 Birding and Nature Festival

Day 1: Kakagon Sloughs, Frog Bay, Nature Center

Day 2: Caroline Lake and Upson Falls

Day 3: North Country Trail and Pikes Creek

birds, blog, Events, Nature, Photography, Travel |

June 26, 2016

| samanthacora

Nature Festival – Caroline Lake Preserve

Caroline Lake

We explored Caroline Lake Preserve and State Natural Area near Mellen on May 20, the second day of the 10th annual Chequamegon Bay Birding and Nature Festival. It was fitting considering the lake forms the headwaters of the Bad River, which flows to the Kakagon-Bad River Sloughs that we toured by boat the previous day.

Ensuring the water stays clean and clear is one of the main reasons why The Nature Conservancy purchased over 1,000 acres as a preserve. Matt Dallman, TNC director of conservation, took our group on a hike to West Twin Lake to explain these efforts, including climate change forestry work.

The hike was a little buggy, but we kept moving and watched for birds along the way, like this magnolia warbler and blue jay.

Matt didn’t miss a beat when it came to identifying the various bird calls and songs. He’d be telling us about the hardwoods and nonchalantly slip in the name of a bird (or several heard in a row) mid-sentence. Since most of us couldn’t actually see them, he showed us pictures in a field guide.

And your eyes aren’t fooling you. That’s an adorable older couple holding hands in the middle of the walking path. They have been to every one of the nature and bird festivals together.

It was peaceful when we arrived to West Twin Lake, but that marked our halfway point and we had to turn back.

When we returned to Caroline Lake, I spotted a small butterfly.

Click here for a map of the area.

To see more photos, check out my Flickr page.

Upson Falls

While we were in the area, we decided to stop at Upson Falls.

That proved to be buggier than Caroline Lake, so we didn’t stay too long. But we did see some yellow trout lilies and forget-me-nots on our hike to the beautiful view.

To see more photos, check out my Flickr page.

2016 Birding and Nature Festival

Day 1: Kakagon Sloughs, Frog Bay, Nature Center

Day 2: Caroline Lake and Upson Falls

Day 3: North Country Trail and Pikes Creek

birds, blog, Events, Nature, Photography, Travel |

June 26, 2016

| samanthacora

Nature Festival – Water, Land and Sky

May 19 was the first day of the 10th annual Chequamegon Bay Birding and Nature Festival, and we didn’t waste any time exploring the water, land and sky.

Kakagon Sloughs

Our first stop was to the Kakagon-Bad River Sloughs, or what some call the “Everglades of the North.” The Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa owns more than 16,000 acres of this wetland near Lake Superior – an area that supports many species of birds and fish as well as the growth of wild rice.

The group split up and hopped onto small boats. Along the way we spotted turtles, geese, an eagle, blue-winged teal, cranes, herons and trumpeter swans.

Edith Leoso, tribal historic preservation officer, led the tour and shared the wetland’s history with us. To learn more about the importance of the area, read this article by The Nature Conservancy.

To see more photos from the Kakagon Sloughs, check out my Flickr page.

Frog Bay

In the afternoon we checked out another body of water at Frog Bay Tribal National Park, but the hike was mainly to spot warblers and other migrating birds in the transitional boreal forest. This is the first tribal national park, which opened in 2012, and there the Bayfield Regional Conservancy and Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa preserve 88 acres of land.

Before the hike even started, everyone’s attention was on the young squirrels scurrying around a hole (likely their home) in a tree.

Then the search for black-throated green, black-throated blue and northern parula warblers was on.

Shortly after the photo below was taken, one of the trip’s leaders and festival keynote speaker, Laura Erickson (at left sporting the binocs, fanny pack and mega zoom) warned us of experiencing “warbler neck.” And she was right.

I didn’t manage to take any decent shots of the warblers high above us, so I stuck to finding things more at ground- and eye-level, like this Swainson’s thrush.

And even lower like these unfurling fiddlehead ferns, marsh marigolds and wood anemones.

Other finds included a deer mouse watching us as we hiked through the woods and a spotted sandpiper far away along the shoreline.

How can you not feel a connection with this grand place?

To see more photos from Frog Bay, check out my Flickr page.

Visitor Center

Our day wasn’t over, though. My mom and I went back to the festival gathering spot, the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center, to listen to Costa Rican biologist Guido Saborio talk about the Sister Park Agreement between the Osa Conservation Area and 14 national parks of the U.S. midwest region.

Then, once it started to get dark, a group of us went for a “woodcock walk” led by Ruth Oppedahl, executive director of the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin. She told us about the quirks of this bird, including its flexible bill tip and “peent” and twittering sounds. We ventured outside to try to listen to and watch the woodcock’s spring courtship display at dusk, and we did. And it was so cool.

Of course it was too dark to capture the moments on camera, but even in daylight I’m not sure I would’ve been able to track this quick bird in my viewfinder. Once we ventured down the boardwalk further by the light of the moon, it became more difficult for me to differentiate the sound of a woodcock from the frogs that we heard.

I found this video of the display – a woodcock spiraling into the air and silently diving back to the exact same spot – that is definitely worth a watch.

To see a few more photos from this night hike, check out my Flickr page.

2016 Birding and Nature Festival

Day 1: Kakagon Sloughs, Frog Bay, Nature Center

Day 2: Caroline Lake and Upson Falls

Day 3: North Country Trail and Pikes Creek

birds, blog, Events, Nature, Photography, Travel |

June 26, 2016

| samanthacora

Nature Festival – Ashland

I can hardly believe it’s been over a month since I was up north trying to spot warblers and other migrating birds flitting through trees and over the water during the 10th annual Chequamegon Bay Birding and Nature Festival. Hundreds of bird and nature enthusiasts flocked to the Ashland, Wis. area from May 19-21 to go on area hikes, listen to speakers and just enjoy spring in the northwoods.

This was my second time going on the trip with my mom, Carol. In 2015 we saw the sea caves, a snowy owl, Morgan Falls and St. Peter’s Dome, the Penokee Mountains, Copper Falls and Stockton Island.

This year her sister, Joanne (a snowbird), was back at home in Ashland in time to join us after wintering in Arizona. We brought our senior dog, Chewy, along up to stay with my uncle, Marty, while we had our adventures and enjoyed excellent food and wine at local eateries.

Joanne, Carol and Sam at Upson Falls (minus the swarm of bugs)

The weather was unusually warm (in the 60s and 70s), and we somehow avoided rain, which made for some pretty awesome sunsets over Lake Superior.

I even caught the full moonrise over the marina in Washburn.

See more photos of the sunset and moonrise on my Flickr page.

We hope to return for next year’s trip, which is planned for May 18-20, 2017. Hope to see you there!

Festival schedule

On our first day of the festival, May 19, we boated through the Kakagon-Bad River Sloughs, hiked Frog Bay Tribal National Park and watched the woodcock courtship display at dusk outside the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center.

To read more about Day 1, click here.

The second day, May 20, we explored the Caroline Lake State Natural Area and took an independent side trip to Upson Falls.

To read more about Day 2, click here.

For the third and final day of the festival, May 21, we took a hilly walk on a portion of the North Country National Scenic Trail through the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and looked for birds on a trail near Pikes Creek and Fish Hatchery in Bayfield.

To read more about Day 3, click here.

birds, blog, Nature, Photography, Travel |

June 2, 2016

| samanthacora

Barneveld Prairie

A few weeks ago I spent a Saturday morning getting fresh (chilly) air and dirty hands at Barneveld Prairie.

The Nature Conservancy held a volunteer work party there on the parcel of land known as the Muehllehner Addition on May 14 to collect invasive garlic mustard. So now I know that the “pretty” white flowering plant that randomly popped up earlier this spring along our home’s property line is actually problematic.

Invasive garlic mustard

This work party was similar to the “rock picking parties” my siblings, neighbors and I had growing up on our farm fields: the task was tedious but the company made it worthwhile.

And although there wasn’t the promise of lemonade and spare change from our parents after we finished, longtime volunteers Jim L., Shelly A. and Jeff M. promised me and fellow newbie Krysta K. a free meal at a local establishment afterwards to thank us, get to know each other better and perhaps persuade us to help out another time. The gesture (a tradition) wasn’t necessary but definitely appreciated, especially since I originally set out just to tag along and take pictures.

There was no shortage of subjects, including migratory birds and spring ephemeral wildflowers, but I put my camera down and gloves on every so often to help – though I’m not sure I earned my fish sandwich.

Pulling garlic mustard was surprisingly satisfying. Recent rainfall made the soil loosen its grip on the roots, and the fragrant plant often came up with just a gentle tug at the base.

Have I mentioned how beautiful the land is? Well, just take a look.

We had pleasant conversations while walking through the wooded area, and Jim shared a story about a time when a baby flying squirrel decided to climb him instead of a tree. My audible “aww” for animals must have stuck with him, because a few minutes later he warned that I might want to avoid a certain area along the recently mowed path where he found a dead fawn.

Such is the fragility of life.

The mower did spare something, though. A few wild orchid plants were short enough to have missed the blades.

While the others hauled some of the heavy bags of garlic mustard back to the vehicles and grabbed the water and snacks, I wandered around in the quiet woods. I never heard it, but I saw a palm warbler flit by me and hop along a log.

After the bird flew away, I turned and saw these trees leaning east on the hill. The black and white version of the photo now seems slightly eerie to me, but in that moment all I felt was a calm sense of wonder.

Barneveld Prairie is just a half hour drive west of Madison, so stop by to immerse yourself in nature. I guarantee you’ll feel recharged.

To view more photos from the work party on Flickr, click here, or look below to see some of the wildflowers and plants we found on our walk.

An orchid at Muehllehner Addition - Barneveld Prairie, Wis. May 14, 2016.

Showy orchis

Jack-in-the-pulpit

Shooting star

Wild asparagus

Mayapple

Wild geranium

backyard, birds, blog, Nature, Photography |

April 2, 2016

| samanthacora

The Hatches

April 9, 2017

Guess who’s back?? Harry and Val Hatch (or, their lookalikes). I am so excited. Every morning they are very vocal, and they’ve chosen a different hole on the backside of the same tree as last year. Hopefully the squirrels will leave them alone this time as they try to start their family.

June 1, 2016

It’s been weeks since I’ve seen the Hatches around, and I fear they were kicked out of their nest, possibly before they even laid eggs. I think I saw remnants of their nest on the ground, so perhaps a squirrel got sick of sharing the tree with them.

It’s particularly sad because I read that nuthatches do not re-nest after a failure and do not have a second clutch. :(

Hope to see you again next spring, Harold and Val.

April 21, 2016

When I walked out our front door to grab the mail, Val landed on the squirrel’s body and began plucking tufts of fur from its body. She’s a boss.

April 20, 2016

This day was full of activity for our backyard birds and nuthatches. It seems as though the Hatches have relocated their nest to the other side of the tree – perhaps because of the pesky squirrel.

That must be Val since females generally build the nest. I didn’t expect her to swoop down a few feet away from me and have a staring contest, though.

Then I realized what she was on the ground for: finding fur to line her nest. Just so happens to come from a squirrel that perished a few weeks back that I was waiting for something natural (like a hawk) to pick it up, but now it seems to be useful for the nuthatches. I don’t think this was the same squirrel that terrorized the first nest, though. Oh, the circle of life.

April 3, 2016

The next day the Hatches were busy gathering materials for their nest.

April 2, 2016

We got our big picture window replaced this winter, and our cat loves to watch the birds through it by standing on the couch. Have I mentioned she also loves to move (read: scratch) our drapes?

Today, April 2, Norah was making a big fuss, her tail twitching as she looked up to a big tree in our front yard. I thought she was fixated on the falling snow, but it was a white-breasted nuthatch scaling the tree in all directions. Then, another flew and attached itself to the tree. It brought a gift in its mouth.

I soon realized that this was a pair building a nest in a hole of the tree, probably 15 feet up from the ground. It’s the tree I usually see squirrels chase each other in.

I’m happy to say our first “neighbirds” are Mr. Harold and Mrs. Valerie Hatch (Harry and Val, for short). And yes, I had to name them. Even if I can’t tell them apart yet.

The Hatches were having a productive day (as far as I could tell as I watched them from my couch) until a nosy intruder came by. At first I thought one of the birds was performing a mating display, because it perched at the edge of the hole, fanned out its feathers, puffed out its chest and slowly swung back and forth and nearly upside down.

Then I saw a squirrel’s head poke out from behind the hole and realized the bird was protecting its nest.

Still in its stance trying to appear large, the nuthatch flew lower on the tree and lured the squirrel back down to the ground. The two never touched, but the territorial message was clear. Or so I thought.

For a little while the weather cleared up, too. Bright sun and blue skies provided a nice backdrop for some of these photos.

But the wind picked up, the clouds moved in and snow showers (though almost melting upon impact with the ground) swept through the area. The curious squirrel also returned, and this time he even poked his head all the way into the hole.

For over an hour after the squirrel left I saw no sign of the Hatches. At first I thought they had decided to abandon this site because of the predators that could easily access the hole, but soon the flashes of dusty blue, white and black were back.

If everything works out, there could be some Hatch hatchlings in the next month or so. Norah will help keep an eye out for any activity, so check back for updates!

backyard, birds, blog, Nature, Photography, projects, scenes, Video |

January 20, 2016

| samanthacora

Backyard Visitors

Drew and I started moving into our first home together in November 2015. Although it’s located in the city of Madison on the west side in a populated area, it is in a quiet neighborhood with many large, established trees.

We knew right away that there would be tons of squirrels around, but as the months go by we are realizing how much more wildlife is right in our backyard.

I’ll be using this blog post as a timeline of sorts, keeping track of the neat visitors we have in our neighborhood. (I’ll spare you my nostalgia for Ranger Rick.)

April 14, 2017

Nesting titmouse

Our tufted titmouse is back about a week earlier than last year, and this time I think it may take up residence in our birch tree.

April 9, 2017

Nuthatches are back

For a full report of this awesome news, check out the Hatches dedicated blog post: www.samanthacora.com/the-hatches/

January 7, 2017

Fly like a squirrel

It seems like the only critters I’ve seen or heard in the last few months have been crows and cardinals. And of course the squirrels are always around, but this foggy morning they were quite active chasing each other and jumping from tree to tree. Channel your inner squirrel and take a leap today.

October 10, 2016

Red-bellied woodpecker

Our giant maple is getting extra attention this fall, including from this red-bellied woodpecker.

September 9, 2016

Garden action

This summer has flown by, and we haven’t really been home to see our backyard visitors. But today everyone seemed to show up at our neighbor’s garden, which has drooping sunflowers and cherry tomatoes.

I saw an ovenbird, hummingbird and finches, as well as this Nashville warbler.

Running around the garden were chipmunks, who would scurry up the sturdy stalks of the sunflowers, hang from the flower and stuff their mouths with seeds.

July 18, 2016

The youngsters

It was a very loud morning outside of our porch door. Half a dozen wrens (including youngsters) and chickadees were singing in our pine trees.

When I looked out, I noticed one of the wrens was inspecting the new (well, it’s old) birdhouse we added to our big maple tree. Yay!

A fluffier juvenile wren inspected the rest of the yard.

And this scrawny juvenile cardinal was also hanging around.

June 29, 2016

Nature’s flashlight

I was pulling weeds this evening and was greeted by dozens of flashing fireflies, which I then followed around the backyard. Even though the focus is off here, I still love the colors.

The light show paid off for this happy couple.

June 20, 2016

A hoppenin’ place

Norah notified me to quite the commotion from our patio door. A chipmunk and baby bunny were occupying the same foot of space near our fire pit.

June 1, 2016

Peonies and pests

I was happy to see my peonies finally in bloom, and they are coming in light pink. The ants are also loving them.

But I just discovered that the “wild phlox” I thought were growing along are property line are actually invasive dame’s rocket, because they have four petals instead of five.

I wandered around the backyard and spotted this red velvet mite hanging out in the crevice of our magnolia tree.

May 29, 2016

What’s been growing

When I returned home from a short trip up north, I was pleasantly surprised to see more plants in bloom.

May 26, 2016

Bunny Hop

I was privy to the “bunny hop” mating display this evening. These frisky rabbits sure didn’t mind an audience.

I thought it was rather fitting that they jumped toward the bridal wreath spirea. Patiently awaiting little ones!

May 16, 2016

Gray Catbird

It took me a little while to identify this bird, but thanks to Google I know it’s a gray catbird – my first sighting!

May 15, 2016

Sparrows take over

Two days after the wrens started building their nest inside our birdhouse, Norah once again alerted me to activity in the morning, but the song was different … house sparrows had taken over and kicked out the wrens.

After I took these photos I emptied the birdhouse and left the bottom latch open for a few days to deter the sparrows from occupying it. That seems to have worked so far, but still no return of the wrens.

May 13, 2016

Wrens take up (temporary) residence

I think I delayed writing this post because I’m still upset that house sparrows kicked out a couple of house wrens from the birdhouse I put up in our pine tree. They were our first residents. I would have started a new post for Sven and Jen Wren, but I haven’t seen them since the “takeover.”

Much like the Hatches, Norah alerted me to the Wrens when she heard them sing outside our bedroom window. I was quick to grab my camera, stand on the bed and document the busy birds stuffing the birdhouse with pine branches, even if I annoyed my sleeping husband in the process. Enjoy these cute photos and videos – I hope the Wrens still return.

May 13, 2016

Helicopter snack

Our chipmunks and squirrels seem to enjoy snacking on the “helicopter” maple tree seeds. I also just like the funky color of this squirrel’s tail.

May 12, 2016

Munching on dandelions

Some spots on our lawn are just tough to cut, especially near our retaining wall and deck. The dandelions that continued to grow there seemed to be a tasty morning snack for this bunny. I also like how it appeared to stop and smell the flowers.

Normally the bunnies and other critters scatter when I come outside (probably because I’m not Snow White) so these photos were taken through our window.

This robin was looking for worms in the cracks of our patio blocks.

And this squirrel was just happy to run and leap through our lawn.

May 5, 2016

More green things

Taking it easy after having two wisdom teeth removed earlier today. But that didn’t stop me from enjoying the beautiful sights and sounds in our backyard. Now we’ve got bleeding hearts, lilacs and a massive maple tree.

April 21, 2016

Red and pink

Before I left work I looked out our dining room window and spotted this cardinal spending time in our magnolia tree at full bloom.

April 20, 2016

Tufted titmouse, cardinal and chipmunk

What an afternoon. Sun, clouds, sprinkles and plenty of birds made an appearance in our backyard – including my first sighting of a tufted titmouse. This was a big deal for me.

I definitely heard the titmouse before I saw it. It has a very loud call, but I didn’t realize what kind of bird I was hearing until it flew right past me. Here it follows a cardinals song.

It seems pretty dull and gray in that video, but it didn’t take long for the sun to return. The birds – especially the cardinals – were loving it. Here’s a couple in our magnolia tree.

As I walked around our house following the cardinals I spotted the chipmunk that’s been digging holes under our concrete patio and hanging out by our front door and rock retaining wall.

And it seems like our nuthatches have relocated their nest to the other side of our tree in the front yard.

April 19, 2016

Forsythia plant

I was also happy to see a forsythia plant at the corner of our house. Our backyard is beautiful right now.

April 17, 2016

Magnolia tree and other green things

I woke up to the best surprise when I looked out my bedroom window. Our “mystery” tree is a magnolia, and its pinky/purply/creamy blossoms had popped overnight.

Bees seemed to have an early invitation to the backyard blooms.

And while I walked around the tree I discovered other plants and flowers popping up. Spring is a treat.

April 16, 2016

Another bunny

The rabbits are starting to creep onto our lawn, too. Norah loves to watch from our patio door.

April 14, 2106

Brown creeper

This morning before I left I saw this little brown bird creeping up our big tree in the backyard. What a fitting name for this camouflaged cutie.

April 3, 2016

Rabbit

The neighboring yard seems to attract all of the bunnies. Sometimes there are three hopping around at a time. The sun caught this one’s ears just right this evening.

April 2, 2016

New “neighbirds”

Today we met a new couple building their home in one of our trees in the front yard. They are white-breasted nuthatches, who I’m calling Harold and Valerie Hatch. Because why not. Harry and Val are cute and fierce, which they demonstrated today fending off a squirrel from their nest. Since I’m hoping there will be Hatch hatchlings in the near future, I’ve started a new thread that will be updated just for them: www.samanthacora.com/the-hatches/

March 25, 2016

Let it melt

As much as I resisted the thought of snow after being out on the bike trails a few times already in March, it was a pleasant surprise. Especially because it didn’t last long, and when it was here it was mostly ice. And ice + sun = something spectacular. The birds loved it, too. Almost everything has melted this afternoon since it hit 45, but I spent an hour or so outside taking in the awesome sights and sounds this morning. OK, spring, you can continue.

March 24, 2016

It’s rainin’ ice

While the northern part of the state got hit with snow today, Madison woke up to mostly sleet. Blobs of ice became extensions of branches, pine cones and buds, making it a beautiful (though slippery) drive into work. Spring officially started Sunday, and the warmth from the beginning of the week is slowly turning the grass green. But this morning our backyard looked like the top of mint ice cream that sustained freezer burn.

March 7, 2016

First plant

It hit 63 degrees today, and the pile of snow against the back of our house finally melted — revealing our first plant! This was an exciting moment for me, because I’ll have no idea what is planted around our house until it blooms. So, welcome, mystery plant.

March 5, 2016

Black-capped Chickadee

A cardinal and blue jay caught my eye out my patio door window this morning, but when I went outside they flew away. But this cute-as-a-button black-capped chickadee made its debut minutes later, hanging upside down from the branch of a pine tree. I took the photos from inside the house. These are such happy birds, and they always make me smile.

March 4, 2016

Red fox

I saw a flash of orange dart across the white ground of our backyard while I was eating cereal at our dining room table this morning. A beautiful fox was out exploring, and it was my first sighting of one in our neighborhood. Very cool moment, but it passed quickly when the fox scurried away. The only photo I took of the fox is pretty blurry, so I’m hoping for another opportunity. Instead, here are its footprints in the snow (middle) alongside those of a bunny (right). I’m not sure about the prints on the left.

February 20, 2016

Asian Beetles

This Asian beetle is reflected in our bathroom mirror while I was getting ready for work. The temperature nearly hit 50 degrees that day and we found a few more, so it looks like the invasion is beginning. At first I thought it was a ladybug, but its markings say otherwise. Since we shouldn’t judge a beetle by its color, I changed the photo (taken with my cell phone) to black and white.

February 11, 2016

Squirrels

I went outside in search of the first robin I heard this year, and chatty squirrels like this one showed up instead. It was in single digits, but the sky was clear blue.

January 20, 2016

Cardinals

January 16. 2016 (heard hoots at 5 a.m.)

Pair of Great Horned Owls

December 18, 2015

Cooper’s Hawk

families, pets, Photography, portraits |

November 1, 2015

| samanthacora

Family R. – Fall

The leaves are really falling now, but I was able to take some family photos a few weeks ago at Lapham Peak in Delafield when they were still hanging on. Along for the shoot was Lisa R. and her kids Nate and Alyssa, as well as Nate’s girlfriend Amber and their dog Gaby.

Next time we’ll have to get Lisa’s dog, Sampson, to tag along for a Great Dane photo shoot!

See all of the photos on Flickr.