Andrew Sabai Nature

I am an ecologist specializing in the issues and management of Upper-Midwest ecosystems. This part of project documenting how these ecosystems are changing.

[Andrew Sabai Nature @AndrewSabai]

For Film Friday, a photo of an old family friend. She sits on a hill catching the end of the day's light. What she is watching is anyone's guess. No notes on the shot, probably a Nikon and Fujichrome of some sort. #FilmFriday #35mmfilmphotography #gooddog

[Andrew Sabai Nature @AndrewSabai]

The Large Yellow Underwing Moth (Noctua pronuba) has a subtle beauty, I think it is its texture. The velvety eyes and feather-like scales. It is a non-native insect, and its caterpillars feed at the base of plants, making it a garden pest. #moths #insects #wisconsin

[Andrew Sabai Nature @AndrewSabai]

A pair of sandhill cranes (the other adult is just out of frame) is walking their young through the countryside in early May. The brown fuzzy chicks stick close to their parents. Winnebago, Co. WI #wisconsinbirds #winature #birds

[Andrew Sabai Nature @AndrewSabai]

Lots of dragonflies out today! Here are some views of a Four-spotted Skimmer (Libellula quadrimaculata) at Uihlein Waterfowl Production Area in Winnebago Co., WI. #dragonflies #widragonflies #nature

[Andrew Sabai Nature @AndrewSabai]

Photographing small birds takes patience and skill. I am trying to learn both. In addition to those learned skills, it takes a bit of luck. This Ruby-Crowned Kinglet is a tiny cartoon-like ball of feathers. Nikon Z50ii 50-250 #birds #naturephotography #wildlife

[Andrew Sabai Nature @AndrewSabai]

The Black-Necked Stilt is aptly named for its looks and not some long-dead naturalist. The old naturalists should be remembered, but the bird should be remembered for itself. Outside the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge in WI. #birds #wisconsinnature

[Andrew Sabai Nature @AndrewSabai]

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) is one of my favorite woodland spring flowers (spring ephemerals). As you can see from the photo of the root cross-section, the plant gets its name from its dark red roots, which were once used as a dye. #wildflowers #nativeplants #Wisconsin

[Andrew Sabai Nature @AndrewSabai]

A Canada Goose relaxes, but keeps a watchful eye while incubating its egg at the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge. This goose and a few others have located their nests right off the boardwalk, making them easy to view. #birds #Geese #horiconnationalwildliferefuge

[Andrew Sabai Nature @AndrewSabai]

Some trees caught my eye. A row of young Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa) trees lines a small ditch, and another group of trees flank Dike Road outside Wisconsin's Horicon Marsh. #trees #horiconmarsh #Wisconsin

[Andrew Sabai Nature @AndrewSabai]

Song Sparrows are back; they seem to be everywhere I go. These birds are named for their melodious singing. Their song makes them very conspicuous in the audio landscape, but their brown stripes make them fade into the vegetation to escape predators. #wisconsin #nature #birds

[Andrew Sabai Nature @AndrewSabai]

Film Friday. In January, I went to High Cliff State Park in WI on a foggy day. I took along a 1950's Voigtlander Vitomatic I with a 50mm f2.8 Color/Skopar lens. I think the old camera did quite well. Shot on Ilford HP5 400 speed. #voigtlander #ilford #blackandwhitephotography

[Andrew Sabai Nature @AndrewSabai]

Early in April, we woke up to freezing rain. I took some photos of the ice on the maple tree, chicken wire, switch grass, and milkweed pods. I figured I would come back out later, but the rain got warm and melted away the ice. #icestorm #garden #nativeplants

[Andrew Sabai Nature @AndrewSabai]

Two male Red-winged Blackbirds engaged in some fighting displays over spilled birdseed. I don't think blows were ever exchanged between these two. Birds are very territorial this time of year. Supple's Marsh in Fond du Lac, WI. Nikon z50ii 50-250mm #wisconsinbirds #birds #nikon

[Andrew Sabai Nature @AndrewSabai]

Possessed Canada Goose! Birds must spend an enormous amount of time preening their feathers if they want to keep them in shape for maximum flight performance. This goose seems to be experiencing something else altogether. #birds #wildlifephotography #nature

[Andrew Sabai Nature @AndrewSabai]

Some interesting birds from a trip to Manitowoc on Monday. Horned Grebe, Red-breasted Merganser, Ross's Goose, and Bufflehead ducks. There were many other cool birds on Lake Michigan, the Harbor, and the Manitowoc Impoundment. #wisconsinbirds #manitowoc #lakemichigan

[Andrew Sabai Nature @AndrewSabai]

New post and video from a winter trip to High Cliff State Park in NE Wisconsin. https://t.co/fJbXuA86oH #HighCliff #winterphotography #wisconsinnature

[Andrew Sabai Nature @AndrewSabai]

Last night, the Northern Lights appeared, and almost as fast as they arrived, they faded. I snapped a quick photo with my phone and then set up my "real" camera for a time-lapse, but only captured the fading lights. Oshkosh, WI March 20, 2026 #northernlights #auroraborealis #wi

[Andrew Sabai Nature @AndrewSabai]

Monday, I started with an excursion to Lake Winnebago in Oshkosh to greet the sun, and wrapped up with a trip to Rush Lake to say goodnight. It was crazy warm for early March, about 70F for a high, and next Monday is a low of 9F. #oshkoshwi #wisconsinnature #birds

[Andrew Sabai Nature @AndrewSabai]

A few weeks ago, I was playing troll, under the HWY 41 bridge over Lake Butte des Morts, looking towards Oshkosh. Not much graffiti under the bridge, but it was fairly fun and family-friendly, but I'd prefer it if it wasn't there. #OshkoshWI #winter #sunrisephotography

[Andrew Sabai Nature @AndrewSabai]

Moonrise through the trees from a few nights ago. #moonlight #nightphotography