Chestnut Sided Warbler
The Chestnut Sided Warbler is a fast-moving, yellow, black, brown, and white warbler. Found throughout Wisconsin during the spring through fall.
Category: Wildlife and Birds
Wildlife of the Midwest & Beyond
The Wildlife category explores the diverse animals that share our fields, forests, wetlands, and backyard spaces. From migrating birds and woodland mammals to insects, amphibians, and reptiles, this collection highlights the rhythms, behaviors, and habitats of wildlife across Wisconsin and beyond.
Here you’ll find identification guides, seasonal observations, and habitat insights. Many posts explore how wildlife connects to native plants, gardens, waterways, and open landscapes. Some focus on backyard encounters. Others look at species found in marshes, prairies, woodlands, and rural areas.
Wildlife connects closely to the land. Each animal plays a role in the larger ecosystem. Some pollinate plants. Others spread seeds, control pests, or shape habitat.
Whether you’re watching deer at dusk, noticing butterflies in summer wildflowers, or listening for spring birdsong, this space invites you to better understand and appreciate the wild world around you.
Dune Thistle Flower
Dune Thistle Flower Known As: Dune Thistle Scientific Name: Cirsium Pitcheri Wisconsin Status: Threatened Federal Status: Threatened This thistle is so rare that it is listed both by the State of Wisconsin and by the...
Spiderwort
Virginia Spiderwort The three-petaled Virginia spiderwort wildflowers are usually blue to a variety of purples, but may also be pink, white, or red.
Jack in the Pulpit
Jack in the Pulpit A common woodland plant that produces purple-spotted and striped leaves in the spring (April–June).
Blister Beetle
Blister Beetle A few of many beetles in the blister beetle family. The beetle is part of the Meloidae family, they are called blister beetles for a good reason.
Early MeadowRue
Early MeadowRue Early Meadowrue is generally found in places that have not been disturbed by human interaction. General Information A perennial, native wildflower. The stems are a light purple color and the flowers are bell-shaped and produce yellow...
Trout Lily
Trout Lily The woods are blooming full of trout lily in Wisconsin. I have been lucky to track down the White Trout variety(Erythronium albidum) and the Yellow variety (Erythronium americanum).
Northern Flicker
The northern flicker (Colaptes auratus) or common flicker is a medium-sized bird of the woodpecker family. It is native to most of North America, parts of Central America, Cuba, and the Cayman Islands, and is one of the few woodpecker species that migrate.
Black Swallowtail Butterfly
Black Swallowtail Butterfly The black swallowtail butterfly is a large blue, black, golden yellow, and cream speckled beauty. Black Swallowtails are also known as Eastern Black Swallowtail, Black Swallowtail, American Swallowtail, and the Parsnip Butterfly.
Banded Woollybear Caterpillar
Banded Woollybear Caterpillar The banded woolly bear caterpillar and moth can be found nearly everywhere in Wisconsin. It feeds on low-growing plants but is not a pest to garden and farm crops.
Wood Frog
Ah, the lovely song of the wood frog orchestra means that spring is finally here!
American Goldfinch
American Goldfinch The American Goldfinch is a beautiful songbird that you can easily attract to your backyard. The males have bright yellow coats with a bold black cap and black wings barred with white. The...
Downy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker The Downy woodpecker is the smallest of North America’s woodpeckers but there are many smaller species elsewhere, especially the piculets. General Information Woodpecker with mainly black on the upper parts & wings, with...
Red Bellied Woodpecker
Red Bellied Woodpecker The red-bellied woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker of the Picidae family. It breeds mainly in the eastern United States, ranging as far south as Florida and as far north as Canada. Its...
House Finch
House Finch The house finch is a small passerine bird that is part of the family Fringillidae. They are generally seen hanging onto the food source their eating from, perched, or scavenging the ground for food.
White Breasted Nuthatch
General Characteristics of White-Breasted Nuthatches One of my favorite birds to watch is white-breasted nuthatches. You can always tell when they are around because they have a unique yank, yank voice and lower hah, hah,...
Birds You May Find in Your Backyard
Birds You May Find in Your Backyard A running list of birds that you may find in your backyard along with some interesting facts, and possible additional reading posts that may help you attract them...
Dried Fruit Medley Bird Food Recipe
Dried Fruit Medley Bird Food Recipe Want to feed some picky eaters that normally don’t always come to the feeder? Make up this dried fruit medley bird food recipe.
Save Those Seeds
Is squash plentiful in the garden? As you enjoy eating squash, save those seeds. Rinse, dry them, and store to add to your bird feeders.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail The eastern tiger swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), is a species of swallowtail butterfly native to eastern North America. It is one of the most familiar butterflies in the eastern United States, where it is common in many...