Minnesota Nature Photos

When duty calls

Grandson's Auggie & Jacob work with their Grandpa to build these beautiful bluebird and wood duck houses over the Easter holiday.

Their colors are the best right now

I got a pic of a banded mallard

I love the colors that they have right now. This goldeneye had great colors.

Lane DeSmith, Nolan Schmeising, and Dominic DeSmith, all from Sauk Centre, picked up trash along Big Sauk Lake on Earth Day, 2021.

The woodys have Great colors right now.

Palomino-like squirrel from Darling township north of Little Falls

While hunting morels, my girlfriend Patty Richardson took this photo of a hen grouse on her clutch. She took the photo and we immediately left not to disturb the hen.

Morel hunting in Chippewa National Forest, Pennington, Mn

When Grandpa Dennis and I decided to make a duck house for my 4H Project we looked at the price of lumber and decided we could fin other materials to use that would not cost as much so this is how the "The Do Duck Inn" was made. 1. Used a 30" hallowed out Cottonwood log. 2. Grandpa used the chainsaw to clean out the inside to make it bigger I collected the shavings to be used later for the bedding. 3. We made plugs out of another log for the top and bottom of the duck house. We drilled 1/2" holes in the bottom to let moisture out. 4. Found a stump that would work as a roof we drilled and added hooks to attach it to the house so you can remove roof to clean out the duck house. 5. Drilled a hole for an entrance and added screen inside from the bottom of the hole entrance for the ducklings to use to get out of the house. 6. Added a band around the bottom and brackets on the back of the duck house to use for mounting to a tree. Cost $7.00 for materials which included hooks, screen, straps, brackets, nails and screws. $0.00 for the log and stump we found these in the woods. It took us about 4.5 hours to make this my Grandpa said that this was a labor of love so he didn't charge me for his time. Total Cost $7.00 We will find a tree and mount "The Do Duck Inn" up about 12-15' and have many years together to watch and enjoy the ducks. Made with love by Ayden Woodside & Grandpa Dennis Whelan - Albert Lea, MN

Took at fort snelling state park.

What's wrong with this pic?????

This mallard flew up in front of me.

The muskrats are out and about.

Beautiful birds!!!!!!!!!!!!

I put on a lot of miles to get this pic!!!!

The Mallards are on the river. The Whistler’s are already gone.

Eagles are on their nest. Such a beautiful bird!!!!!

If you go to Fort Snelling State Park your chances of seeing an owl are pretty good.

Found this Barred owl at Fort Snelling State Park today. Also had a mate with him or her.

This is the mate to the other pic I posted.

Took this pic at Fort Snelling State Park.

Took at Fort Snelling State Park.

The owls are out and about.

Seeing more owls since it warmed up

Joe Timmers of St Paul Park took this pic while looking for big bucks in Fort Snelling State Park. Did not find any bucks today but found this doe!!!!!!!! Took the pic in November 2020.

(L to R) Evie, Bella, and Wyatt Puncochar have been going out with their dad trapping this season and recently caught this beaver.

Fresh MN January Snow & Doe

Found this owl at Fort Snelling State Park

Took at Fort Snelling State Park

We live next to a wetland in Oakdale, Minnesota. We have seen several large bucks this past fall and winter. This morning, January 6, 2021, these two large bucks chose the yard to duke it out. During the fight which lasted several minutes three or four additional bucks circled around. The fight ended when the victor followed a doe.

We live next to a wetland in Oakdale, Minnesota. We have seen several large bucks this past fall and winter. This morning, January 6, 2021, these two large bucks chose the yard to duke it out. During the fight which lasted several minutes three or four additional bucks circled around. The fight ended when the victor followed a doe.

I thought I was taking a pic of a buck. I looked a little closer and saw that it was a doe. what tipped me off was that it still had velvet on the rack.

Found this big boy tending to a doe.

Caught this Falcon with his catch. Caught himself a robin.

Lane DeSmith, Sauk Centre, collected trash along the shores of big Sauk lake near his home. Lane asks that people please do not litter.

Whitetail Buck in a snowstorm in Red Wing, Mn. He was originally bedded down and let me get 10 yards from him before standing up.

This photograph was taking on 9-18-2020 in the zumbro river valley right at sundown

this picture was taking on 9-17-2020 is the zumbro river valley

this photograph was taking in the zumbro valley 9-1-2020

Sassy little Ruby Throated hummingbird guarding "her" feeder. Shy does not fit into their personality. Love them!

Piebald white tail, she has been hanging around Deerwood MN.

Took this photo on Aug 6th. This is the 3rd year I have gotten his pic.

I took this pic during the rut last year. This is the buck that I submitted this year in Aug that is in velvet.

Bull moose in August along the Sawbill Trail.

Gold finch pauses in my garden on July 6

Honey bee working hard to pollinate one of my Honeycrisp apple trees!

Ruffed grouse displaying for a hen, North of Ely, Mn

This is a picture I took last year. I came back later to pick the mushroom🤗

A Canadian Snow Goose takes off from a pier on the old Interstate Bridge between Duluth, MN and Superior, WI on May 3, 2020. Though it appears it is taking off for a long majestic flight, it actually was plummeting from a 50 height to the waters of the St. Louis River underneath the bridge.

Eagle with nesting Eaglets.

Craig, Diane, Chelsea &; Reese Smythe of Garrison were cleaning out and filling their woodduck box on 4/25/20 when a momma squirrel popped out of the box. Realizing she had to leave her nest, she went back and forth carrying all 6 of her babies to safety. After all six were safe, she collapsed on the roof of the box exhausted from her workout. Talk about a good mom!

You had directions in a recent issue on how to build a wood duck house. During this time of distant learning for students, our neighbor who is a carpenter helped my kids with 'shop class' and they each build a wood duck house to put at our hunting cabin. In the photo Alyvia Grabow - Chisago City, MN age 14 Jacob Grabow - Chisago City, MN age 12 Dewey Sorenson - Chisago City, MN Teacher/carpenter

Doe nursing her young fawn. I saw the Doe walking across our backyard. When I couldn't see her from the window any longer, I stepped out on our deck and saw the fawn for the 1st time. The doe was very patient and watchful as she continued to nurse and I took some photos.

Bobcat spotted while muzzleloading December 1 near Heinola, MN.

I took snowshoes to go down and check my game camera on the 4th of December after a 20+ inch snowfall and found a very interesting sight. The creek had frozen over and as I was looking down stream from the culvert I noticed something on the ice. I could not figure out what exactly I was looking at. First I thought that there might be part of a deer sticking out of the ice, perhaps a hip bone peeled clean by the coyotes and then I thought perhaps it was a deer skull laying on the ice. Next thought was maybe a porcupine or some type of small animal. I got closer on my snowshoes and was surprised to see that it was a snapping turtle. The coyotes had gotten to it and rolled it over. They had a nice meal from the under belly of the thing. Then to my surprise I noticed a second turtle just beyond the first one around a small bend in the creek. I was shocked to see two of them hammered by the coyotes. I am at a loss to understand why they came out of the creek which exposed them to the coyotes in the first place. I want to walk down the creek to see if I can find some more turtles that may have met the same fate. It is a very difficult walk with all the alder brush laying every which way! I thought that you would be interested in seeing the photos.

This action shot was barely taken near Orr, MN. Shows a wolf in the hunt after a doe. A quick second later, another wolf ran across the road in pursuit, too.

Bailey's 1st Autumn

Hidden in plain sight

Giant Swallowtail butterfly on our flowers in Athens Township Isanti County MN

July 2019 buck in velvet - Carlton County MN

Bobcat Kit was on the front porch of Cally and Devin Anderson's home near Deer Creek on 7-11-19.

Bobcat by Deer Creek on 7-11-19

Bobcat baby by Deer Creek on 7-11-19 at Cally and Devin Anderson's. The baby didn't want to leave so the sheriff was called where they maced him away as he kept hissing and wouldn't leave.

White tailed squirrels by Lake Reno. First time ever seeing them.

So much fun watching this new family in our backyard near Medford MN!

My neighbor in Longville, MN watched as this fawn crawled into this decorative boat in another neighbor's yard.

Morning coffee, city Wood Duck! Love the shadow on the tree.

While Turkey hunting with my daughter's boyfriend Fred, we had a mule deer buck come by us in Watonwan County in south central MN

Napping bear

Peter McBride 14 from St. Louis Park, MN completed a wood duck house again this year.

Fishing on Cedar lake by Faribault. We caught over 100 crappies today. And got some Great pics

This mink caught a bird for lunch.

Found this beaver on the St Croix

Lot of young Eagles on the St Croix.

The eagles are on the Croix.

I can't believe that branch wont break.

Went for a 4 hour walk and found this guy taking it easy.

He lost his 2 points that he had. This buck is 2 years old.

Took this pic 2 weeks ago.

Vermillion River, Farmington MN

One of my favorite Waterfowl photos that I took. I love the background and all the colors within the mallards . Also love that they're taking off.

Loons on Sawbill Lake

Bald Eagle about to catch a fish on Bouder Lake

Otters on Alton Lake

Loon on the north end of Sawbill Lake

Cow and calf in a pond along Sawbill Trail

Bull moose near Crescent Lake Cook County

Bull Moose crossing Bouder Lake

I took this picture of a lynx hiding behind some brush while driving on the The Grade on our way to Sawbill Canoe Outfitters.

Sunday morning sunrise over Martin lake. Wyoming Minnesota

Caught this river otter fishing on the Mississippi River.

Remember this guy. He took a beating from the next buck I will post.

This guy took the doe away from the other buck that I posted. The other buck kept coming back to take the doe back. But the other buck won the battle.

The goldness of fall ... Lake Sylvia ...Stearns County

I had to hide behind a tree to take these pictures because this buck came at me swinging his head side to side like a moose. The rut is on.

Look at the eyes on this deer. If you don't know what kind of deer this is, it is a Piebald deer. They are rare.

Landon posing with the biggest "Hen Of The Woods" we found this year!!

Timber wolf seen near Lutsen, MN

Timber Wolf seen near Lutsen, MN

nice little buck walking around out on state park land

10 point 8 point and the baby of the group 6 point

I posted this buck when he was in velvet. This is what he looks like now.

Pelicans making a stopover at ponds outside of LeSeuer, MN

Young and curious fawn, Noth Mankato, MN

Remember this guy? He is all cleaned up now.

He hangs out with the big buck that I posted.

This is the small piebald buck that I see a lot. There is also a bigger piebald buck that I haven't seen since last winter.

What a rack!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The bugs were bad but it was worth it to get this picture.

Took this pic while I was fishing for muskies on Mantrap up north.

Albino buck deer in Lakeville/Prior Lake near I35

Took this pic on Pike Island

Snapper laying it's eggs.

This is the 2nd Piebald deer I have seen this year. This is a young buck.

This is the 2nd Piebald buck I have seen this year.

I caught this rare picture of a squirrel carrying babies from nest to nest. Three different babies.

The Duckweed Drake

Sandhill Crane Blaine, MN

Sandhill Crane in Blaine, MN I have been trying to photograph Sandhill Cranes for years by my work. One evening after work I got my chance! This guy was up on a hill, and I had to walk low to the ground and hide behind bushes to get this shot. Such a beautiful bird, I'm so happy to have been able to capture it!

Caught this little guy by the swamp .

Trumpeter swan taking a nap.

Lot of woodie's this year

Taken on Pike Island

The ducks are everywhere. Lots of woody's and mallards in the woods.

Took this pick by the Minnesota river today. Looks like this mother has a Baby eagle in its mouth. What do you think?

The loons are passing through. Took on Pike Island

Eagle sitting outside of her nest.

I wish is was my season to hunt.

Took on the St Croix River

Took this pic where I deer hunt.

Took these pics at Pike Island.

Great Grey Owl on the hunt in the Sax Zim Bog

Spring is coming! All sorts of birds and critters were out and about today in Rochester MN.

Beautiful mallard struttin his stuff on a beautiful day.

Couple of geese staring off into the distance; but more than likely just at the tourists throwing bread.

My wife pictured this Snowy Owl waiting for dinner to emerge from the fresh snow. 2/23/18 McLeod Co., MN

Trumpeter swan in mid February

Blue Jays eating peanuts at their feeder in the morning. They clean up peanuts in a matter of minutes each morning.

This is a photo of a piebald wild turkey near my home in Morrison County. He doesn't seem to have any friends - is always alone.

Hundreds of mallards and geese lift off a pond heading out to nearby cornfields in late Nov 2017.

A rutting buck races after a doe with weeds streaming from his antlers.

Bull Elk on Thanksgiving morning near Clam Lake, WI.

Snowy morning Bull Moose

Right place at the right time. A dandy Minnesota 10 pointer.

The Rut is on in Minnesota.

Battle scared Bull

Mushrooms are popping up all over the wooded areas of Minnesota.

Mushrooms are showing themselves out in the wooded areas of Minnesota.

The common mushroom popping out of the earth in the wooded areas of Minnesota

Golden beauties. Mushrooms in Minnesota

October Eagle, Chisago County.

September bull elk, Clam Lake, Wisconsin.

End of summer migration of the Monarch Butterfly near Little Birch Lake in Melrose, Minnesota

The last grab of nectar. Bees are swimming getting ready for the colder weather.

these little guys came to visit Sunday morning in my back yard

Roger Panzer, took this photo of a Loon with a Rainbow Trout in its mouth on Long Lake west of Itasca State Park on 7/2/17. I will also send a hard copy

Juvenile Bald Eagle in Chisago County MN.

Eagle in Chisago Co. MN.

The Yellow Warbler belting out his song in his outdoor amphitheater. Whitetail Woods Regional Park in Farmington MN

Trumpeters in Chicago Co. MN.

3/25, Bluestem Nature Conservancy near Dilworth, Mn. It was early, but there was still some competition for territory.

3/25, Bluestem Nature Conservancy near Dilworth, Mn. It was early, but there was still some competition for territory.

Had an opportunity to sit in a blind at Bluestem Nature Conservancy near Dilworth, MN on 3/25. Great show.

Wild River State Park, Chisago Co. Mn.

This image of an adult male wolf appeared on my trail camera in Mahtowa, Minn. In February, 2017.

Half hour before sunrise on West Rush Lake, Chicago County. Photo by John J. Werner, Stacy, Mn.

Matt Andres, of Randall, captured these eagles eating on a deer carrcas in Morrison County in Nov. 2016.

Bald eagle grabs fish and takes it back to the nest. Photo by John Werner of Stacy, Mn.

Clam Lake, Wisconsin elk. Thanksgiving morning 2016. Photo by John J. Werner. Stacy, Mn.

Photo by John J. Werner. Stacy, Mn.

Photo by John J. Werner Stacy, Mn.

Photo by John J. Werner. Stacy, Mn.

Trumpeters on St. Croix River. Photo by John J. Werner, Stacy, Mn.

Full February moon just after sunset on West Rush Lake, Chicago County. Photo by John J. Werner, Stacy, Mn.

Half hour before sunrise on West Rush Lake, Chicago County. Photo by John J. Werner, Stacy, Mn.

Amber Larson, of Chicago City, captured this, amazing swans.

Amber Larson, of Chicago City, captured this gracious image. Beautiful birds to listen to and watch.

A pair of wintering Trumpeter swans in the St. Croix river.

My dad, Brad Ellison (of Lake City, MN) took this photo in Esko, MN of a barred owl in 2012.

Prints in the snow found while snowshoeing in central Wisconsin near Rudolph.

While out fishing with my daughter this buck decided to take a swim with a doe all the way across the lake, what a great God moment. We were up in Cumberland, WI. First weekend in November.

Reflections I took this photo 1 week before season early morning while I was blading roads.

Alicia Kranz with Nate Chadderdon taken on Lake Pepin, Montgomery, Saturday Nov. 5, 2016. There were many ducks flying and it was a beautiful warm morning. Although the hunt wasn't great, the company sure was.

Dave Zylstra, of Coto De Caza, CA took this picture of the Sunrise and Moonset over the decoys while duck hunting in Otter Tail County on Saturday, October 22nd 2016.

Another shot of the white squirrel with blue tail. My sister, Dawn Caughey, was walking her dog and saw this squirrel by Vadnais Lake.

My sister saw this squirrel while she was walking her dog by Vadnais Lake. White squirrel with blue tail.

A weed covered Fawn emerges from the woods in Blaine during a rainy dusk in August.

Mushroom finds 5-2-16 on my parents farm near Winona, MN

A drake wood duck escorts his lady friend across a pond on April 17th.

This chickadee was regularly visiting the area below a window to pick moss to pack into her nest in a nearby tree.

Walleye eggs taken on east shore of Mille Lacs 4/21/16

Male and female Pileated Woodpeckers are regular guests on my back yard feeder in the Spring

The angry goose chasing off another. Minnesota Valley Preserve in Bloomington.

Soft light from the setting sun illuminates a Barred owl

I didn't think I would ever get the chance to show the size difference between the Downy and Harry woodpecker. Taken by Marie Noplos, Fergus Falls, MN

My backyard sunrise , Cotton mn 1/29/2016

Sunrise Rainbow Cotton Mn 1/29/16

Which way did mom say to run? Run toward me instead of away. Stopped 20 yds away. Mom walked over and guided them off at a slow walk. Rick Julian, Cormorant MN

Two fawns kicking up there heals

A gloomy day when all of a sudden the sun peaks through the clouds and cast a gold ray of light that makes for an astonishing view

This Snowy Old was spotted in Elk River, MN on January 4th at 8:00pm. The bird was perched up in a tree, in our yard.

Last Day

Lake Itasca Headwaters by Donald Pick

One of the White Deer of Father Hennepin State Park.

I was photographing this doe feeding when two birds landed on her back.

Sunrise on Pine Lake in Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge.

rooster trying to get the dry black oilseed in the rain

Me and my 3 year old son Keegan each enjoying the Outdoor News on a beautiful fall morning.

A mature buck steps out from behind heavy cover.

Early light spotlights a bedded buck.

The wolves did not get this Bull and Cow moose as of yet. Taken on a bog in NE MN on 9/20/2015 outside of the BWCA

Albino Deer - 2nd photo

Two albino deer were spotted grazing in a field in Moose Lake, MN. Photo submitted by Diane and Scott Clark of Cloquet, MN.

Trees form like an archway

My girlfriend took this shot as we were driving east on MN 23 just west of Beaver Creek. The two bucks were running one after the other on the left ditch, then crossed the road, and continued running alongside us in the right ditch. Won't happen again!

Up periscope

Blue Heron with breakfast

I photographed this buck twice (31 days apart). It had an amazing transformation.

Daven Hanson of Little Falls shot this photo a couple of weeks ago near Tower. Every year loons nest on this tiny rock island.

This state park buck watches joggers on a trail move past him .

Gary Bowden of McGregor, IA carefully working his way through the path in the reeds of Mud Creek Lake.

Kevin Jackson of Eveleth, Mn. Took this picture of a Coyote mother returning to her den to feed her pups on June 13, 2015, photo was taken on northern Minnesota golf course

I had this young buck staring at me when I went to leave on June 15,2015.

Walked out my front door to mow lawn and spotted this snapper! Thankfully it was missing all its teeth!

A bald eagle flies back to its nest, where an eaglet is waiting, on Monday, May 4, 2015. The nest is built in a tree on an abandoned farm site on 440th Street south of Hector, Minn.

We rarely chase squirrels away, but this one we encourage to come to our feeder. This was taken Sunday, April 19 at our home in Zimmerman, MN

I know some hunters would like this turkey. Seen outside just walking in front yard . 4/11/2015 Terry Shoop Lexington.MN nice white /turkey

4 turkeys. 1 white one Beautiful

A friendly doe let me photograph her while she ate on a hillside.

Let's take 10 wolves from MN and reintroduce to each state that doesn't have any. Thatshould get rid of about 2000 of them.

I spent about 2 hours photographing a pack of 4 wolves and their deer kill on the ice of Lake Superior north of Grand Marais

sun dogs 2/11/15 in Euclid MN

we saw this fox near Grand Portage Thanksgiving weekend and photo was taken by 7 year old Owen Byrns

25 miles out-20 below zero. Bite is on. 1/9/2015

sunrise over Medicine Lake

Columbus, MN Nov 30, 2014

Not just about where they live but some of those feathers are blue.

We saw four wolves running through our property just southeast of Alexandria. By the time I grabbed the camera, they were going up the hill and I was shooting right directly into the sun. Got three on camera at one time and a fourth was off to the right.

Beautiful morning on the water!

friendly Pelicans

July thunderstorm near Cambridge Mn

saw this hawk swoop down and grab this rabbit while i was out fishing.

I saw these young ones in our backyard shed and just had to take a picture of them.

Ashley Nelson, of Meadowlands, Apple blossoms, picture taken in May 2014

Dawn Strande, of Isanti, caught this beautiful Scarlet Tananger waiting for his turn on the freshly filled feeders.

We just put out our feeder after seeing a Ruby-Throated hummingbird the other day but the range of these little guys isn't even east of the Rockies and somehow he made it to MN. Taken close to nightfall on May 16th.

Here's a picture of a Western Tanager at my jelly feeder in rural Sleepy Eye. Looking at the range maps for this bird it looks like he is a long way from home.

I saw this bird on my way into work this morning and he was unique enough that I stopped and took these photos. I am guessing the storm displaced him.

Signs of Spring

Black Beauty

Natalie Sornsen (13) snapped photos of this momma fox and her two pups April 18, 2014.

A friend saw this doe lying on a bank near my house this afternoon. He stopped by to tell me and I grabbed my camera and we went back. She laid down for the photo.

11 year old Josh snapped this one off our back deck on a snowly March day in Big Lake, MN

This little fellow spent the last 3 weeks of Feburary 2014 in my back yard, from morning till dark. What a beautiful bird to watch.

spotted in rural Le Center, MN. 3-3-14

Beautiful morning!

Nothing better than watching the sun rise waiting for ducks to show up.

From a trail cam.

Steve Tatro, of Zimmerman, was surprised to find this 4 point shed in his deer feeder in Sherburne County on 01/30/2014

Tony Seyffer and dad, Kevin Seyffer of Red Wing, MN stumbled upon these twin fawns during morel hunting on May 25th near Frontenac, Minnesota.

Tomorrow is July and the legal time to take snapping turtles. They need to be a certain size so read the laws.