Sunday, January 22, 2012

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.

18 comments:

  1. Jest co oglądać :-). Kaczka na ostatnim zdjęciu jest śliczna. Dziękuję za wspaniały spacer. Pozdrawiam. ***
    It is something to watch :-). Duck in the last photo is beautiful. Thank you for a wonderful walk. Yours.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by. Hope you are having a lovely week:!

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  2. Looks like a good place to visit for close-up photography

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  3. Oh, I just love the snowy owl. The eyes are amazing.

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  4. wonderful set of photos, and sounds like a wonderful place. my niece lives in Green Bay and did a semester internship at a wildlife rehab center - wonder if it was this one...

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  5. Really enjoyed these photos especially the bobcat! Very cool seeing owls up close isn't it. And Snowy Owls are the coolest ones too.

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  6. I think we would all like to view these animals in the wild and their natural habitats but sadly that is just not possible these days. That owl is absolutely gorgeous!

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  7. This was a lot of fun....loved every picture
    I have always wanted to see a snowy owl....

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    1. Hey there! I tried to comment on your post this morning, but couldn't. I can't wait to see all your birds in action:) You might have to take out a second mortgage the way they eat:) Hope you had a nice day.

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  8. Those are beautiful birds and animal photos. You had a great trip. It still looks cold. I used to travel to Green Bay on business, but no one ever mentioned this refuge.

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    1. If you ever go again, check it out. That place is really fun. Birds. Birds. Birds. Everywhere:)

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  9. Great shots! You had me at "owl."

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  10. What a fun place! I'd love seeing all those birds and animals. I love the owls!

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  11. these places are just so special, incredible array of wildlife, I particularly got gooey over the chipmunk / squirrel. The goose shot reminds me of the when the kids were young we'd go to the local botanical gardens and we'd all get terrorized by the swans.

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  12. Hi there Rohrerbot, maybe thought of cheating by some (not me) but I’d say sharing your images and visits so others can appreciate nature too works for me. Loved that snowy owl and the drake wood duck – they were my favs. Looks a nice place to visit, thanks to your post maybe more might go. Good job :-D

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  13. It sounds like my kind of place. And, yes, Arizona could learn a lot from Wisconsin in terms of conservation. Very nice post!

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  14. Wow how wonderful these are! I haven't seen ducks with lots of variation in colors. But i love most that owl which seems to be making 'beautiful eyes', i thought they don't close their eyes!

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Thanks for stopping by!