BALD EAGLES On The Chippewa

As the backwaters and river edges begin to freeze, Bald Eagles are staging in areas where they can fish.  The Chippewa River as it crosses the Wisconsin Great River Road (Wisconsin State Highway 35) is a greating view point with over 100 eagles.

There is competition for a fish making for great aerobatics

and a victor!

Bald Eagles are gathering on the Chippewa River and can be easily seen from the Great River Road (WI Hwy 35) bridge at the Pepin/Buffalo County line. Great photo opportunities and 100+ eagles on all sides of the river. Parking area NW of bridge.

CANADA GEESE On The Buffalo River

Canada Geese have been gathering for the past few weeks preparing for their migration
points east & south for winter.  They've lived on the Buffalo River
all summer and raised their young.

  

  

There's lots of flight activity as the younger geese learn to take off with the group,

it's amazing how the whole family can leave the water's surface at once

and not get in each other's way. There's a lesson here!

Because of the natural habitat and the flowing waters of the Buffalo River,

the Canada Geese flourish and our beaches and water quality are not at risk

as they often are in small lakes and ponds.

Soon they'll be on their way!

GEESE On Ice

Overnight the water from Rieck's Lake turns from liquid to solid

and the Canada Geese adapt quickly. 

The antics of the younger birds who have never experienced ice are entertaining, especially if you can capture it on video.  These "stills" just don't reflect the moment ....

TUNDRA SWANS Have Finally Arrived

Tundra Swan activity in Alma, Wisconsin can be a touchy subject.  Many years ago there would be 5,000 Tundra Swans at Rieck's Lake ... today there are 30 and that's a good count.  Needless to say those who remember the "swan fall" have high expectations and they don't understand that we are happy when the first swans begin to arrive.



The first 4 swans arrived on November 4th and settled on Tell Lake on the Buffalo River, 2 adults and 2 juveniles.  And then we waited ...

November 18th arrived and swans were on Rieck's Lake. 

Now there are over 1000 swans on Big Lake (Mississippi River). 

It's a long distance view and you definitely need a scope or binoculars

but it's wonderful to watch all of the activity as the swans fly. 

The best viewing is a sunny day.

The Buffalo River is holding about 100 swans, with the population moving around during the day from Rieck's Lake & Tell Lake to a more protected spots away from the viewing population.  The best time to view is early in the day.

It's been well worth the wait and even though it's more work

to find the swans the photo and viewing opportunities have been great!

Sunning TURTLES

The last sunny days are here and the cold weather is on the way.  Turtles can be found sunning themselves in the backwaters.

There are lots of little baby turtles but they dive into the water at the slightest movement.

MALLARDS On The Buffalo River

Ducks are everywhere this time of year, especially Mallards!  The Mallard is the ancestor of almost all of varieties of domestic ducks and it's fitting that they are the dominant duck along the Buffalo River.

Rieck's Lake is a popular gathering spot, but Mallards can be found throughout the Buffalo River area.

Mallards are distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere. 
They are migratory in our area and winter south to Mexico.

The Mallard is omnivorous and very flexible in its food choice.  The majority of the Mallard's diet seems to be made up roots, tubers, seeds, crustaceans, worms and invertebrates.  Plants generally make up a larger part of the bird's diet, especially during fall migration and in the winter.  It usually feeds by dabbling for plant food or grazing.

Mallards are highly gregarious outside of the breeding season

and will form large flocks, which are known as a sord.

Fall Color In The Backwaters

Along the Wisconsin Great River Road tourists come to view the fall color as the leaves turn. If you take the time you will find that there is great beauty and color to be found in the Mississippi River backwaters as well.

Buffalo River

Buffalo River

Unless you study plants, it's often difficult to identify the flowers and grasses 

that remain in the fall ... but it's not difficult to enjoy the beauty. 

While most of this photography is from the Upper Mississippi Wildlife & Fish Refuge,

there are many opportunities in our area to discover fall beauty.

Trempeleau Wildlife Refuge ... Grasses

Trempeleau Wildlife Refuge

AMERICAN GOLDFINCH at WOA Feeder

This year the Center added bird feeding stations along our 50-foot viewing deck.  Today the goldfinches finally decided that our nyjer seed was good enough.  This sweet little female was quite photogenic!

Feeder on the back deck of Wings Over Alma overlooking the Mississippi River.

Learn more about the American Goldfinch ... a feeder favorite.

GREAT EGRETS on the Buffalo River

This past week Great White Egrets arrived in Alma, Wisconsin settling in on the Buffalo River. 

These two were very elusive

and not very patient

with my photo attempts.

Today over 3 dozen Egrets were on the Buffalo River or Riecks Lake.  Travel WI State Highway 37 along the Buffalo River and WI State Highway 35 (The Great River Road) at Riecks Lake, just north of Alma.

A large white heron, the Great Egret is found across much of the world, from southern Canada southward to Argentina, and in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. It's the largest egret in the Old World, and thus has garnered the name Great White Egret.

AMERICAN ROBIN Enjoying The High Water

Most people will admit that the enjoyment of a bath can't be beat.  This American Robin wasn't perturbed by the high water at Rieck's Lake in Alma, Wisconsin ... he jumped right in and got on with the fun.

The American Robin is a member of the Bluebird and Thrush family.  It's called the "American" robin because it was named after a similar (though smaller) bird found in Great Britain.