[wisb] Initial Introductory Post - Mikko

From: Mikko Viljamaa <mikko.viljamaa@xxxxxxxxx>
To: wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Fri, 7 May 2010 11:05:45 -0500
After reading these posts now for a couple of months I decided that it?s
time to introduce myself. Hi my name is Mikko Viljamaa (you can pronounce my
fist name like that raccoon?s name from Pocahontas ? as my Chicago-born wife
always friendly reminds our new acquaintances) and I used to be a keen
birdwatcher. I was born and raised in Finland and I moved to US in 2003. I
lived first two years in Beloit and in 2005 I moved to Appleton area, where
I have been since. I work for a Finnish based company and I was originally
supposed to be in US for couple of years, but after noticing how much I
enjoy the life here, I decided to stay. Wisconsin reminds me of Scandinavia
in many ways.
After moving to US I basically stopped bird watching. I can give you a list
of good excuses why I did that but I?m sure you don?t want to hear those.
Anyway the past winter I noticed a familiar itch returning and I found
myself browsing through Sibley?s during those rare spare moments I had. This
led finally to a bold move on March when I dug out dusty old Leica?s from
the closet and headed out for the first time. What I great feeling. Since
that first time I have been birding around Fox Valley area but I think it?s
finally time to take the big step this weekend and head towards the famous
Horicon Marsh.

During my bird watching years in Finland I also got into photographing them
and I have spent for example couple of springs in Israel photographing
migrating birds coming back from Africa to Europe. This brings me to a
question I have and where I was hoping that you WI birders can help me.
Where are the best places to photo birds at Horicon area (or as a matter of
fact anywhere inside couple of hours drive from Fox Valley)?  What are the
best spots to photo herons and egrets, what about shorebirds or terns, are
there any nesting hawks or owls close by public areas? And so on... I?m
basically interested in any species and any additional information you
people can provide is highly appreciated (you can mail me directly to
mikko.viljamaa@xxxxxxxxx). BTW my only knowledge from Horicon Marsh area
comes from the book ?Wisconsin?s Favorite Bird Haunts? (thanks to Darryl
Tessen) so I have only a faint idea of that area.

Come to say hi when you see a guy with a finnstick and an angular scope (I?m
assuming that there are not too many of those around here) and be patient
with me and my bird identification. I feel like a rookie again as your birds
here are all darn different than what I have seen in Europe. I can only imagine
what kind of a headache I?ll have later this summes with all female/juvenile
plumage warblers?



Cheers,



Mikko Viljamaa, Outagamie County

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[wisb] Initial Introductory Post - Mikko

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