Máistir Nádúraí: 1937

7.14.2014

1937

I thought this was kind of interesting. I came across a link to Wisconsin Historic Aerial Image Finder this evening and used it to download an aerial image of Pheasant Branch Conservancy from 1937.

Image: Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Middleton (WI) 1937
Image: Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Middleton (WI) 2010

It's neat to compare the two images for differences and similarities. For area and location context, you can use this Google Map I created and maintain for birding at Pheasant Branch Conservancy.

I wonder what the birding was like back then, or if anyone was actually even birding there. I'll bet the warbler action during spring migration along the creek corridor was even more intense then compared to what it is today.

Bio:

Mike McDowell has been documenting southern Wisconsin’s flora and fauna since 1987 and began leading field trips in 2002. Prolific at Pheasant Branch Conservancy, other highlighted natural areas include Pope Farm Conservancy, Spring Green Preserve, and the Baraboo Hills. His nature photography has appeared in various publications, newspapers, magazines and was even featured on a Wisconsin Endangered Resources license plate, a Capital Brewery beer label, and a National Geographic publication. He began journaling nature observations on this blog in 2005. He's the recipient of the 2012 Bronze Passenger Pigeon Award from the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology, presented to individuals who have made outstanding contributions in their local communities or state to promote the field of ornithology. He was a finalist in Swarovski’s Digiscoper of the Year photography contest several times. His other interests include insect macro-photography (especially tiger beetles, treehoppers, and robber flies), fossil collecting, amateur astronomy, botany, natural history, and marksmanship with long-range firearms. Once a gigging musician, collecting Fender Stratocasters is a recently revived interest—most prized being a 1957 Vintage Custom 'Mary Kaye' White Blonde. A former IT Professional, he's spent the last 24 years employed in the sport optics industry and has more binoculars than you.