UW-Madison Campus Features Autumn Colors and Wildlife

Four sandhill cranes were photographed frolicking near Rennebohm Hall and the Nielsen Tennis Stadium during an autumn evening, and UW–Madison News reported on November 4, 2026 that the birds are only one slice of the wild side Badgers encounter this time of year.

The campus photo essay, published November 4, 2026, captures the season as sunlight warms familiar buildings while branching shadows stretch across their walls and a canopy of gold brightens the streets. As the piece puts it: “The weather is cool, but the colors are warm. And so is the company.”

Wildlife wanders through the academic core

The cranes near Rennebohm Hall show that campus life is not confined to classrooms and libraries. An owl decoy stands watch over the Botany Gardens, while a shed wild turkey feather lies on a bed of fallen leaves at the Eagle Heights Community Gardens. Koi fish swim in a pond dotted with lily pads and fallen leaves at the Botany Gardens, adding another quiet layer to the season.

Fall colors transform campus landscapes

Autumn drapes the campus in a patchwork of russet, amber and Badger Red. Color climbs the trees, frames familiar landmarks and glows against the sky as Badgers find their fall rhythm across walkways, bike paths and gathering spaces — studying, playing, catching up and taking it all in.

The photographs were taken by Althea Dotzour, Finnegan Ricco, Jake Piper, Jeff Miller and Taylor Wolfram, with video by Amy Gill and Mallory Schaefer and words by Angela Barian.

With the semester deep into November, the images serve as a reminder that the university’s grounds double as habitat, garden and gathering place when the temperature drops and the leaves turn.

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