Brad Bellisle of Oregon, Wisconsin, won the grand prize in the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin’s 11th annual photo contest with this fisheye lens-shot sunrise from a rock shelf along Lake Michigan at Whitefish Dunes State Park. Photo by Brad Bellisle.
Door sunrise photo earns grand prize in contest
A gorgeous Door County sunrise along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Whitefish Dunes State Park has been named the Landscape Category and Grand Prize winner in the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin’s 11th annual photo contest.
Brad Bellisle of Oregon, Wisconsin, said he used a fisheye lens to incorporate the surrounding rock as a natural frame for the early morning shot over the lake.
“Nature has always been the inspiration for my photography,” Bellisle said. “I’ve traveled all over the state exploring the different parks, shorelines, and natural areas to try and capture nature in unique ways.”
The goal of the annual contest is to spread the word about conservation in Wisconsin, share our state’s natural beauty, and engage nature photographers in conservation efforts. Bellisle’s picture topped more than 770 others submitted last fall.
The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin is a statewide 501c3 nonprofit, formed in 1986 as declining budgets compromised critical programs of Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources. With the support of donors and members, the Foundation has boosted private sector investment and involvement for state lands, waters and wildlife to the tune of $13 million. To date, those funds have supported more than 3,100 conservation projects and more than 4,000 field trips.
- The group also hosts The Great Wisconsin Birdathon, the state’s largest fundraiser for bird conservation. Learn more about field trips, grant programs and ongoing efforts at wisconservation.org/.
Bird Count Success
Sightings for the Great Backyard Bird Count Feb. 14-17 can be reported until March 1, but the preliminary numbers are outstanding.
At least 7,931 of the world’s 11,000-plus species of birds were found in 253 countries and subregions. Birders submitted more than 284,000 eBird checklists, including more than 150,000 in the U.S.
Columbia was the top region with more than 1,350 species reported. Ecuador, India and Brazil each had more than 1,050. Rounding out the top 10 were Peru (833), Mexico (761), Kenya (692), Costa Rica (690), China (689) and Thailand (676).
While tops in participation, the U.S. was 12th with 656 species. Wisconsin was 35th among the states with 125 species reported from more than 3,100 checklists. Brown was 13th among the 72 state counties with 48, Door 14th with 44 and Kewaunee 35th with 32. Oconto and Marinette were 45th and 46th with 29 and 28 species, respectively. Manitowoc was 25th with 38.
You can explore the data by region, subregion, state or county at ebird.org/gbbc/region/world.
Deer Harvest Up
Wisconsin’s bow, crossbow and gun deer harvest increased by more than 21,000 this past season over last. The preliminary antlered buck kill of 161,512 and antlerless take of 160,332 were both within the 10-year average, but buck registrations were the fourth highest since 2008.
Brown, Door and Kewaunee County hunters combined to register more than 10,000 whitetails, including 4,193 in Door, 3,154 in Brown and 3,078 in Kewaunee.
Hunters and others interested in whitetails are encouraged to get involved with their County Deer Advisory Council. Spring meeting dates weren’t yet posted as of Feb. 18, but should be soon. You’ll be able to find them at dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Hunt/cdac.
Fish Art Contest
This year’s Wildlife Forever Fish Art Contest has added a Great Lakes Fish Specialty Award celebrating species that provide valuable ecosystem services for Indigenous, commercial, recreational, and subsistence fisheries. The new award also raises awareness of negative impacts of non-native fish species.
K-12 students must submit artwork featuring a fish species from the official eligibility list at theartofconservation.org/great-lakes-award. This year’s contest closes Feb. 28. See the rules and more at theartofconservation.org/fish-art-contest.
- Thaw Won’t Hurt Ice
A predicted daytime thaw for a few days early next week shouldn’t hurt the ice or snow cover much, thanks to sub-freezing nights and an extended cold spell returning and running into the first week of March.
Ice anglers have been dealing with drifted snow, but Green Bay waters are largely locked in after the recent blast of sub-zero cold. Many fishermen are working 30 to 80 feet for whitefish, and shallower for perch, pike, walleyes and brown trout.
Sturgeon Update
More than 680 lake sturgeon were taken the first 11 days of the spearing season on the Lake Winnebago system, 396 on the big lake and 288 on the upriver lakes. Through Tuesday, there were 43 sturgeon larger than 100 pounds speared, 37 of them on the big lake.
Weekly Water Levels
Lake Michigan water levels have dropped 2 inches in the past month, 11 in the past year and 44 since the record high in 2020. As of Feb. 14, levels were about 7 inches below the 100-year average, and 21 above the record monthly low, set in 1964
Comment on PlanLearn about and comment on a DNR draft strategic plan for managing wildlife species and habitat by Feb. 28 at dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/WildlifeHabitat/WMStrategicPlan.
