Máistir Nádúraí: Oconto Fall Colors!

10.23.2025

Oconto Fall Colors!

"No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace as I have seen in one autumnal face."

― John Donne

Fall color has been muted across southern Wisconsin this year, so Sue and I headed north to Paya Lake, where reports promised a brighter show. And those reports were right — the colors were absolutely brilliant, easily among the most stunning displays I've seen in years.

It was a short trip, so there wasn't a lot of time for exploring. Birds observed around the cabin were Common Ravens, American Crows, Blue Jays, Pileated Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin, Dark-eyed Juncos, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Double-crested Cormorants, Canada Geese, and Bald Eagle.

Bio:

Mike McDowell has been exploring and documenting southern Wisconsin’s flora and fauna since 1987, leading field trips since 2002, and sharing his observations on his long-running nature blog since 2005. While most at home at Pheasant Branch Conservancy, his wanderings often take him to regional gems such as Pope Farm Conservancy, Spring Green Preserve, the Wisconsin River, and the Baraboo Hills. His photography has been featured in newspapers, magazines, and books, as well as on a Wisconsin Endangered Resources license plate, a Capital Brewery beer label, and even in National Geographic. In 2012, he received the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology’s Bronze Passenger Pigeon Award in recognition of his contributions to ornithology and community engagement. A skilled digiscoper, he was a multi-time finalist in Swarovski’s Digiscoper of the Year competition. Mike’s interests range widely—from insect macro-photography, especially tiger beetles, treehoppers, and robber flies, to fossil collecting, botany, natural history, amateur astronomy, and long-range rifle marksmanship. A former gigging musician, he has rekindled his passion for Fender Stratocasters, with a prized 1957 Vintage Custom Shop “Mary Kaye” White Blonde among his favorites. After 15 years in IT, he has spent the past 25 years working in the sport optics industry, where his expertise continues to shape how others connect with the Natural World.

Disclaimer:

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the author's employer, organization, committee, or any other group or individual with whom the author may be associated. Furthermore, any assumptions, conclusions, or inferences drawn from the content herein are the sole responsibility of the reader. The author disclaims any and all liability for misunderstandings, misinterpretations, hurt feelings, eye-rolling, second-hand embarrassment, or spontaneous combustion resulting from exposure to the contents of this blog. For the avoidance of doubt, this blog is written for entertainment, education, and/or catharsis and should not be mistaken for professional advice, legal counsel, or the inner workings of a well-adjusted mind.