A Bird Photography Challenge

Happy Friday! Your weekend mission, should you choose to accept it… If you’re looking for a birding challenge this weekend, how about trying to document the elusive Ravens of Devil’s Lake State Park here in Baraboo, Wisconsin?

Nature enthusiasts and photographers take note – we know they’re here. Right now. Just this week, we could hear their distinctive calls through the trees near the top of the CCC trail on Devil’s Lake’s East Bluff. Can you beat us to capturing the photographic proof? Photographing a raven at Wisconsin’s most popular state park would be quite the achievement!

Darkness There, And Nothing More

Ravens were once so plentiful in Wisconsin that early settlers reported them sometimes outnumbering crows, even as far south as Racine (Wisconsin Birdlife, 1991). By the 1940s, their range had shrunk dramatically to just the northern third of the state. But there’s exciting news for Devil’s Lake visitors! These remarkable birds are making a comeback. As of 2023, ravens are increasingly common in both Columbia and Sauk Counties, steadily expanding their territory southward once again.

Where Curiosity Takes Flight

Want to contribute to local wildlife research? Consider joining the Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance for the Christmas Bird Count. We’ll share links in the comments with more details about both the count and our returning ravens below.

Good luck on your raven quest at Devil’s Lake! And remember – the challenge is on. If you get a shot, please share it with us on Facebook right here.

More Info:

Derrick Mayoleth

For nearly 2 decades the Skillet Creek blog has focused on 3 main goals; To inspire you to visit and explore the Devil’s Lake region, to help you get the most your visit by sharing tips, events, and other helpful information. Lastly to advocate for our environment & wildlife and talk about how we can keep our natural areas amazing now and into the future! That last goal can sometimes cause controversy, but it’s the only way we can accomplish the first two. – Derrick Mayoleth, Owner.