Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary

The Snowy Owl

I promised a live owl shot and I got TWO!  Although it's what I consider cheating:) You see we went to the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary in Green Bay and had a blast!  This past summer I took you to another sanctuary in Boquete Panama for a closeup on monkeys.  Today we visited this fantastic place to view some amazing animals and birds.  "Sanctuary" can mean many things.  Some people see these places as a hospital for injured animals or as an area protected for wildlife living in the area.  Well Bay Beach acts as both!  You'll see a lot of incredible wildlife around the park while visiting those that are injured. 

A male duck is known as a drake

There is a lot of food and protection here that provides a great habitat for birds of both water and forest.

Redhead(Really...that's the name of this duck)

It's a great way to view birds easily.  While admission is free, donations are gladly accepted.

Common Goldeneye

The sanctuary is a 700-acre urban wildlife refuge and is Green Bay's largest city park. The Sanctuary is open to the public year 'round with no admission fee.  You'll find a nature education center, an observation tower, along with several rehabilitation centers.  There are also lots of hiking trails around the area.  You could easily spend an entire day there.  It's great for families with little ones.

Hours will vary.  You can go online for more information at Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary.

It's home to more than just birds.  It's also a place that showcases several of Wisconsin's animals.

Bobcat

While the River Otter is endangered here Arizona, it still thrives in the waterways of Wisconsin.  I just hope they protect them from industrial pursuits.  Arizona didn't.

This is quite the contrast below.  The pine needles add color around the monotone greys, blues, and browns of the Wisconsin winter.

Due to keeping our schedules, I wasn't allowed more than a morning to walk around here, but I could've easily spent the day. 

White Breasted Nuthatch

They have several facilities for birds that require warmer temps.  The sand piper below is one of those birds that has an in house area to stay warm.

I love this iron statue.  Wisconsinites are really wonderful when it comes to conservation and I'm proud of my birth state for funding these very important places for our current and future generations of people.

These places give animals a second chance while educating the public about what lives around them near their house or in the forests, by lakes and rivers, etc.  It's really cool to watch a kid's face light up by feeding an animal or watching them fly around his or her head.

Barred Owl

Although I was hesitant, this person was not.  Several of the geese were a bit too close:)  You can purchase corn at the nature center.  Just be ready for the "crowds".  After a freezing day previous at the Woodland Dunes, it was great to get some warmer temps and bird shots.  I highly recommend this place for families, nature enthusiasts, and birders alike!!

PS. This shot is for my Wisconsin friends.  This is a drake Wood Duck.  I know how precious he is to many of you.  You talk about him all the time and how much you admire his color and form.  And he is a beautiful duck.  This guy was in the river near the sanctuary. 

So will I see an owl out in the wild on my own? Stay tuned for more.