The smoke was gone again, and it was a great day in Waukesha County. As was the case yesterday, I got to spend a couple hours at the Retzer Nature Center before class started, and this little cutie, a female common yellowthroat, came out to say “hi” as I paid a visit to Brown’s Fen.Continue reading “UWM Waukesha Field Station!”
Monthly Archives: July 2026
Back at Retzer again…
As I mentioned yesterday, I was at the Retzer Nature Center all day for the first installment of their master naturalist training, but class didn’t start until 9am, so I had plenty of time before then to look around. One sight I did glimpse on my previous visit, and failed to capture on film, was a thirteen-lined groundContinue reading “Back at Retzer again…”
A whole lot of feathers a-flappin’…
The wildfire smoke was back in Estabrook Park, but it wasn’t as thick as it was a few days ago, and the temps were nice and cool, so I guess we could call it a fair-to-midlin’ morning. I can’t say for sure what might have caused it, and it could be just a big coincidence,Continue reading “A whole lot of feathers a-flappin’…”
A pause after the smoke…
The wildfire smoke has pretty much cleared out, at least for now, and it was a nice morning for a walk in Estabrook Park. The critters that live there, however, seemed to be not really in the mood for pictures, but I tried my best, and I did get a couple. I watched this greatContinue reading “A pause after the smoke…”
Some pretty sights despite the smoke…
The wildfire smoke didn’t clear out overnight as much as I had hoped, but the air quality index was back down into the 300s by sunrise this morning, and it was light enough to venture out about 15 minutes earlier than yesterday, so that’s some progress anyway. My reward for those extra 15 minutes wasContinue reading “Some pretty sights despite the smoke…”
Nearly smoked out…
The Canadian wildfire smoke sure did arrive overnight, and it was so thick by sunrise that I wondered if it would ever get light out, but the streetlights did eventually shut off, and the air quality index was still below 300, so I ventured into Estabrook to see who might be out and about. IContinue reading “Nearly smoked out…”
A mothy morning…
Despite the heat, we had a pretty nice turnout for the Friends of Estabrook picnic yesterday, and the surprise guest was a turkey that hung out by the beer garden for quite a while. I can’t tell for sure if this is the same bird, but I found it on the paved path at theContinue reading “A mothy morning…”
Back in the broiler we go…
The promised heat dome has arrived, but it wasn’t too bad yet when I reached the pond at about 6 this morning. Unfortunately, that’s also when this raccoon decided it was time to amble off to bed, and this is the best look it let me have. Happily, this great blue heron is not nocturnalContinue reading “Back in the broiler we go…”
It’s sure starting to feel like peak summer…
The heat dome is back, with temps well into the 90s this afternoon, and it was already warm enough during our weekly wildlife walk this morning, for this great blue heron on the river to be demonstrating its gular fluttering to keep cool. The recent high water from heavy rains up north, which was justContinue reading “It’s sure starting to feel like peak summer…”
Back after a day of playing hooky…
I never did manage to write something for you yesterday, as I had promised, and I apologize for that. I had gone to the dragon boat races in the Lakeshore State Park inlet, as part of the Friends of Lakeshore State Park team, “Fishful Thinking”, and it ended up taking up most of the day,Continue reading “Back after a day of playing hooky…”
Signs of Life in Estabrook Park 