Winter blues are real. I feel it every year.
Getting outside helps, but what really makes the difference is community. Birding and hiking with others pulls me out of that funk every time.
If you’re feeling it too, you’re not alone. Let’s get outside.
So much Bird Joy 🐦 #WiscoBirder 🪶
A Northern Saw-whet Owl perched on a horizontal tree branch, staring directly at the camera with bright yellow eyes, its brown-and-white streaked chest visible. A small mouse rests beneath the owl’s talons on the branch.
Close-up side profile of a Northern Saw-whet Owl showing intricate white speckling on its brown head and a single yellow eye peering through soft, out-of-focus evergreen branches.
A Northern Saw-whet Owl resting on a horizontal branch with eyes closed, its rounded body fluffed. A small mouse lies beneath the owl’s feet on the branch, partially hidden by twigs and needles.
A Northern Saw-whet Owl turned slightly to the side, its round yellow eye wide open as it looks downward. The owl stands on a tree branch with a small mouse beneath its feet, surrounded by blurred forest branches in the background.
The Northern Sawwhet Owl is cutest “Itty Bitty Murderer” ever! #WiscoBirder 📷👐🏾🫶🏾🦉
Who wants to help me find the Northern Sawwhet Owl? You Ready? Let’s GO! #WiscoBirder 📷👐🏾🫶🏾🦉🪶
Yellow-rumped Warbler perched near the tip of a juniper branch, looking downward, surrounded by green needles and clusters of blue juniper berries against a soft blue sky.
Yellow-rumped Warbler sitting among dense clusters of blue juniper berries, showing a faint yellow patch on its side, framed by green juniper foliage in bright winter light.
A couple pics of the Butterbutt (Yellow-rumped Warbler) Homie we found the other day. It was really enjoying the juniper berries! #WiscoBirder 📷👐🏾🫶🏾🪶
Who wants to help me find the Yellow-rumped Warbler? #WiscoBirder 📷👐🏾🫶🏾🪶
An American Tree Sparrow perched on a small mound of exposed soil and grass, surrounded by snow. The bird has warm brown and gray plumage, a rusty cap, and a distinctive bi-colored bill with a yellow lower mandible, facing left in soft winter light.
Snow on the ground, a little patch of earth, and one cozy American Tree Sparrow soaking in the winter calm. That rusty cap and bi-colored bill pop so nicely against the snow. Moments like this are why I’ve grown to love winter birding. #WiscoBirder 📷👐🏾🫶🏾🪶
A Red-bellied Woodpecker with a bright red crown and nape clings to the side of a rough, weathered tree trunk. Its black-and-white barred back contrasts with a pale tan belly, standing out against a soft, muted winter background of bare branches and gray sky.
One thing I love about winter birding is how that pop of red on a Red-bellied Woodpecker hits different against the snow. ❤️
Before I started birding, winter brought the blues. Now I get outside all year, and the birds give me the Bird Joy I need to make it to spring. #WiscoBirder 📷👐🏾🫶🏾
A Brown Creeper clings vertically to the rough bark of a tree trunk, blending in with its mottled brown and white plumage. Its long, curved bill points upward as it forages along the bark, with a soft, out-of-focus winter woodland background behind it.
Here’s a pic of a Brown Creeper, the little Homie we found the other day. I love watching them creep up the tree no TLC. Brown Creepers forage by creeping up tree trunks, spiraling along the bark and using their curved bill to pull insects and spiders from tiny cracks. #WiscoBirder 📷👐🏾🫶🏾🪶
Who wants to help me find a Brown Creeper? You Ready? Let’s GO!!! #WiscoBirder 📷👐🏾🫶🏾🪶
A presentation room filled with people seated and facing a large projection screen. The slide reads “Welcome to Bird Joy for All” with a photo of Dexter “The Wisco Birder” Patterson smiling and holding binoculars surrounded by pine branches.
A wider view of the same event showing a large, modern room with high ceilings, overhead lights, and rows of attendees seated as the presentation begins.
Dexter Patterson takes a selfie at the front of the room, flashing a peace sign while smiling. Behind him, the audience faces the projected “Welcome to Bird Joy for All” slide.
A whiteboard titled “Today I saw…” covered with colorful handwritten bird species names such as Trumpeter Swans, Bald Eagle, Sandhill Cranes, and Northern Cardinal.
Another incredible stop on the Birds of the Great Lakes book tour! 📚 Huge thanks to everyone who came out to the Appleton Public Library last night. The local bookseller sold out—let’s gooo! 🙌🏾💚 Grateful for all the love and support, Appleton. #WiscoBirder 🪶
During the Q/A at Call & Response Books, someone asked me about a funny bird story… and let’s just say my daughter will never forget the day a juvenile Cedar Waxwing chose her as the perfect landing spot 💩😂 #WiscoBirder 🪶
Dexter smiles outside Call & Response Books wearing a black corduroy jacket and a hat that says “#birdjoy.”
A chalkboard sign reads “Fall in love with a new book!” outside Call & Response Books.
A display table inside the bookstore with Dexter Patterson’s Birds of the Great Lakes featured among other titles.
A wall mural with a Toni Morrison quote: “A writer’s life and work are not a gift to mankind; they are its necessity.”
Kicked off my Birds of the Great Lakes Book Tour at Call & Response Books in Chicago! 🐦📚 Great convo with Karlos from Chicago BIPOC Birders + awesome crowd. Huge thanks to Courtney for the hospitality. You ready? Let’s GO!!! 💪🏾 #BirdJoy #WiscoBirder 🪶
A Snow Goose standing on short green grass, white feathers glowing against the background, pink legs visible, and a pink bill with a black “grin patch.”
A Snow Goose floating alone on calm gray-blue water, body upright and head held high, with its distinctive white plumage and black wingtips.
A flock of Canada Geese floating on calm water with a single Snow Goose, bright white with black wingtips, standing out among the darker geese.
A Snow Goose swimming on the water, profile view with its pink legs partially submerged, black wingtips tucked along its back. A Canada Goose is blurred in the foreground.
A few pics of the Snow Goose we found the other day. 🪿 I’ve seen them before, but usually way out in the scope. This time I was able to snap some closer shots—what a beautiful bird! ❄️🪿🫶🏾🪶 #WiscoBirder
An adult Red-headed Woodpecker clings to the side of a dead tree trunk, its vivid red head glowing against the bright blue sky.
A juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker perched sideways on a bare branch. Its gray-brown body shows mottled plumage with faint red on the head and white wing patches, set against the blue sky.
An adult Red-headed Woodpecker perched upright on a bare branch, displaying a brilliant red head with bold black-and-white body contrast against the clear blue sky.
Three Red-headed Woodpeckers on separate bare branches of tall, dead trees. On the right, a striking adult with a full red head, and on the far right branches, juveniles with muted gray-brown plumage and hints of red.
Found this Red-headed Woodpecker family on a hike at the Cherokee Marsh South Unit. They're so beautiful and fun to watch! #WiscoBirder 📷👐🏾🫶🏾🪶
A Bald Eagle soars against a clear blue sky with its wings fully spread, showing its white head, yellow beak, and fan-shaped white tail.
A Bald Eagle glides gracefully across a blue sky, wings extended and angled slightly upward, head turned to the side.
A Bald Eagle viewed from below with wings stretched wide and tail feathers spread, contrasting sharply against the bright blue sky.
A Bald Eagle in flight, wings arched and tail feathers fanned, its white head and tail standing out against the vivid sky.
Spotted this Bald Eagle patrolling the lake in our neighborhood! #WiscoBirder 🦅🪶🫶🏾
Who wants to help me find the Eastern Kingbirds? You Ready? Let’s GO!!! #WiscoBirder 📷👐🏾🫶🏾🪶
Expectation: Peaceful birding 🧘🏾♂️
Reality: Total bird rave in my backyard! 🐤🤘🥳
Finches can’t resist this setup! These Wild Birds Unlimited feeders and Finch Blend are the real deal! 💯 #WiscoBirder #Sponsored 🪶
You ready? Let’s go feed some finches! Just set up the ultimate backyard buffet with the new #WBUFinchBlend from Wild Birds Unlimited. Finches approved. #WiscoBirder approved. 🐤👐🏾🫶🏾🪶
A smiling man wearing a “We Out Here!” cap and bird-themed shirt takes a selfie on a tree-lined gravel trail, with a group of youth and adults walking behind him.
A group of youth and adults gather around a picnic table filled with breakfast foods and drinks under a shaded shelter at a park.
A group of young people and adults walk together on a lush green trail surrounded by dense forest, some holding binoculars.
A group of youth and adults stand on a high wooden observation tower, framed by leafy green branches and blue sky above.
🧵 Another wonderful Bus to Nature field trip this time with the youth workers from Badger Rock Neighborhood Center. Breakfast, birds, and connection out at Lake Farm Park. These young folks inspire me. Never forget it takes a village. 🫶🏾🌿🐦🪶
#BusToNature #BirdJoy #WiscoBirder
A Piping Plover stands in shallow, algae-covered water surrounded by small stems of aquatic vegetation. Its pale plumage blends subtly with the bright green and tan tones of the marsh.
A Piping Plover leans forward with its bill to the ground, actively foraging among the green algae and scattered white feathers near the shoreline.
A wide landscape view showing a single Piping Plover at the center, dwarfed by the surrounding green algae mat, rocky shore, and gulls in the background—emphasizing the bird’s tiny size in its environment.
A front-facing Piping Plover stands alert on a patch of shallow wetland, its legs reflected in the water below. Surrounding vegetation and algae create a colorful backdrop.
Still thinking about this little homie… I finally saw my first-ever Piping Plover in Milwaukee! I didn’t have my big lens with me, but I LOVE how these photos turned out—especially the wide shot that shows just how tiny and well-camouflaged they are out there. What a Lifer! 🐦🪶🤍 #WiscoBirder
A female Red-winged Blackbird perched on a leafy branch with young flower buds. The bird has a streaky brown plumage with a pale eyebrow and a sharp, pointed beak. A clear blue sky forms the background.
A side view of a female Red-winged Blackbird singing while perched on a leafy branch with reddish flower buds. The bird displays streaked brown feathers and a pale eyebrow line against a bright blue sky.
The female Red-winged Blackbird doesn’t get nearly enough love. #WiscoBirder 🫶🏾🪶
Birds are everywhere—even in the heart of the city! 🏙️🐦 In this clip, I’m sharing some quick tips for finding feathered friends right in your neighborhood. Urban birding is fun, easy, and full of surprises. #WiscoBirder 🫶🏾🪶
Bird Joy is about moments that stick with you—like releasing a bird at a banding event or hearing 12 American Woodcocks with a big, diverse crew with no Joy Jackers. 🐦🫶🏾 #BirdJoy #BirdingIsForEveryone #WiscoBirder 🗣️🪶
A downy Black-necked Stilt chick stands in shallow wetland water, surrounded by green grasses and algae, its fluffy feathers speckled with brown.
An adult Black-necked Stilt with long pink legs and a black-and-white body calls out while standing on muddy ground near the edge of a wetland.
A female Yellow-headed Blackbird perches on dry, bare branches with a vibrant yellow throat and chest contrasting its dark brown plumage.
A Forster’s Tern flies directly toward the camera with wings stretched wide, black cap and orange beak clearly visible against a pale sky.
Still flyin high from Juneteenth! Nothing feels more freeing than taking up space in nature with other Black folks. Nature heals. We laughed, birded, and made memories at Horicon Marsh. 🖤✊🏾 #WiscoBirder #Juneteenth #BirdJoy 🪶
An Eastern Kingbird perches confidently on top of a tall, dried plant stalk. Its black head and wings contrast sharply with its bright white chest and belly, while a vivid green background of blurred foliage sets the scene.
An Eastern Kingbird rests on a thin tree branch amid fresh green leaves and catkins, set against a brilliant blue sky. The bird’s sleek black-and-white plumage stands out in the vibrant springtime setting.
A handmade protest sign reads “Kingbirds NOT Kings” in bold black and red lettering. Two cartoon-style Eastern Kingbirds are perched on either side of the text, and a small yellow crown replaces the dot on the “i” in “Kings.” The sign is held outdoors in a sunny park surrounded by seated people. Designed by Sarah Olson
Eastern Kingbirds NOT Kings (Shoutout to Sarah Olson for the inspiration and sign design) #WiscoBirder 🚫👑🪶
White poster on a stake that reads “Kingbirds Not Kings” in black and red text. Two hand drawn birds frame the words on either side. A tree, blue sky and grass is visible in the background.
A kingbird is the only kind of king we need. Thanks to all who raised their voices last weekend 📣❤️ Credit: @seolson5 @feministbirdclub - Madison Wisconsin #Repost #wiscobirder @bipocbirdingclubofwi #morekingbirds #nokings #kingbirdsnotkings #birding #birdingisforeveryone
A Red-bellied Woodpecker clings to the side of a tall tree trunk on a bright, sunny day. Near the top of the trunk, a red and yellow apple is improbably wedged between two small branches. Several brown shelf fungi grow along the tree bark. The sky is a vivid blue, and blurred spring foliage surrounds the scene, adding a touch of green and white in the background.
Just when I think I’ve seen it all on a spring bird walk… I see a Red-bellied Woodpecker snacking on an apple at the top of a tree! No clue how that apple got up there, but it made for one of the season's wildest—and most entertaining—moments. Nature continues to surprise me. #WiscoBirder 🍎🪵😲🪶
A Magnolia Warbler perched on a thin branch surrounded by fresh green leaves. The bird is facing away, displaying its striking black back, bright yellow underparts with bold black streaks, and white wing patch. Its head is gray with a bold white eyebrow stripe.
A frontal view of a Magnolia Warbler perched on a lichen-covered branch. The bird’s intense gaze is directed at the camera, highlighting its gray crown, white eyebrow, black mask, and vibrant yellow chest with thick black streaks. The lush green background enhances its vivid coloring.
It's been a couple of weeks since the songbird migration wrapped up, and I'm already missing the little homies. Pictured here is a very cooperative and handsome Magnolia Warbler. #WiscoBirder 📷👐🏾🖤🪶
Promotional graphic for The Bird Joy Podcast featuring a group photo of Dexter Patterson, Jason Hall, and students from Chase STEMM Academy. The text reads: Season 3, Episode 7: Chase Stem Academy With: Dexter Patterson & Jason Hall “Listen Now Wherever You Get Your Podcasts!” The background is a soft blue with audio wave graphics and star accents.
On the road in Toledo! 🚌🦅 Jason and I sat down with the incredible Soaring Eagles of Chase STEMM Academy—6th & 7th graders dreaming big, exploring nature, and shining bright just steps from Manhattan Marsh. Listen Wherever You Get Your Podcats! 🫶
🎧 zencastr.com/The-Bird-Joy... #BirdJoy #WiscoBirder
An Osprey perches high on a tree branch with its yellow eyes alert and wings folded. Below its talons is a freshly caught fish, clutched tightly. The background is filled with leafy green branches and a bright blue sky.
A clear side view of an Osprey standing firmly on a branch, gripping a large fish. The bird’s striking dark brown and white plumage contrasts beautifully with the green foliage and sky.
An Osprey begins to open its wings while maintaining its grip on a fish, preparing to take flight or reposition. The bird’s intense stare and powerful posture are set against a vibrant tree and sky backdrop.
I recently spotted my Spark Bird—the mighty Osprey—perched in a distant tree with a massive fish in its talons. Moments like this remind me exactly why I fell in love with birds. Look at the size of that catch! #WiscoBirder 📷🦅🎣 🖤🪶
