~John Muir
Yesterday, I spent a day free of work obligations appreciating Nature by observing, documenting, and photographing flora and fauna. I started out early by leading a Madison Audubon field trip at Pheasant Branch Conservancy. Our group found 48 bird species, eight of which were warblers. Other birds during the field trip included Scarlet Tanager, Brown Creeper, Eastern Towhee, Lincoln's Sparrow, Blue-headed Vireo, Yellow-throated Vireo, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and a Green Heron sunning motionless along the creek bank.
Tennessee Warbler
We are well past peak for warbler migration and my first Yellow-rumped Warbler of fall provided a reminding cue. We'll still have a few double-digit warbler days, but there will be more Tennessee Warblers, Nashville Warblers, and Orange-crowned Warblers in the coming weeks. That being said, one never knows what stragglers might still be seen. I once found a Blue-winged Warbler in October and a Yellow-throated Warbler in November.
New England Aster
After the field trip I went to the prairie parcel of Pheasant Branch, but didn't stay for very long. Asters and goldenrod were waving in gusty winds that kept birds low in the tall grass and out of sight – problematic for bird photography. I had a backup plan, which was to head out to Spring Green Preserve and look for the Apache Jumping Spiders that Mark Johnson told me about. Spring Green always has something interesting to see and learn about. The last time I was there I found a Blue Racer and a few years ago there was a Northern Black Widow Spider.
Spring Green Prairie
Rough Blazingstar
The high bluff helped keep northerly winds away off the prairie, making it easier to photograph insects and wildflowers. The only songbird I found was a single Vesper Sparrow, but Turkey Vultures circled overhead throughout the day while I scoured the prairie's sandy trails. I didn't find any jumping spiders, but a few Tiger Beetles along path more than sufficed for photography subjects. There were three species present, but I only captured photographs of Splendid Tiger Beetle and Oblique-lined Tiger Beetle.These insects are really tough to sneak up on!
Splendid Tiger Beetle
Oblique-lined Tiger Beetle
It was a very relaxing and satisfying day of being outdoors. Before heading home, I had a delicious Greek Salad at Spring Green General Store. It's a pretty cool restaurant and much healthier dining than some of the fast food places you'll find along Highway 14.
Prickly Pear Cactus
Pheasant Branch, Dane, US-WI
Sep 18, 2012 7:00 AM - 9:15 AM
48 species
Canada Goose
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Ring-billed Gull
Mourning Dove
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Eastern Phoebe
Yellow-throated Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Cedar Waxwing
Black-and-white Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Magnolia Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Eastern Towhee
Lincoln's Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Red-winged Blackbird
Purple Finch
House Finch
American Goldfinch
All images © 2012 Mike McDowell