Wildlife…
"Good morning, Sweetheart". Mother Red Fox and kit (Vulpes vulpes). It wasn't morning, of course, but late afternoon after the kits awoke.
"Are you my friend?" The fawn twins took a nap in our bee balm. One stood up to look at me. June 9, 2025
Our local wild turkey (we call him Lenny) getting a drink from our backyard fountain. He thinks we put the fountain there for him. June 2, 2025.
Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) kits in Southeastern Minnesota
Our local wild turkey (we call him Lenny) getting a drink from our backyard fountain. He thinks we put the fountain there for him. June 2, 2025.
This is Irving, a Gray Treefrog about 6 feet off the ground on a Sweet Joe Pye Weed leaf waiting for a meal. June 26, 2025.
Gray Treefrog about 6 feet off the ground on a Sweet Joe Pye Weed leaf waiting for a meal. We call him Irving. June 26, 2025.
Gus, our local Pileated Woodpecker, came by in the evening to say, "Good night, and good luck." May 30, 2025
Gray Treefrog on a Sweet Joe Pye Weed leaf waiting for a meal. We call him Irving. June 26, 2025.
Mother's love. Doe and twin fawns from June 6, 2025.
Mother's love. Doe and twin fawns from June 6, 2025.
Mother's love. Doe and twin fawns from June 6, 2025.
I found Cedar Waxwings at a local wetland. They were eating blossoms. May 27, 2025
A Red-winged Blackbird took flight and I just managed to catch him. May 27, 2025
A Red-winged Blackbird was chasing off a crow at the wetland. The bright grey sky made this difficult to sho. I could have developed this more, but I decided that the near-silhouette effect with the splash of color was kind of cool. And I like the ragged look of the Crow.
I found Cedar Waxwings at a local wetland. They were eating blossoms. May 27, 2025
Gus, one of our local Pileated Woodpeckers, stopped by and then flew off into the sunset. May 25, 2025
Myrtle, one of our local Pileated Woodpeckers, cruising through the woods at sunset. May 25, 2025
An Indigo Bunting stopped by our woods and looked for insects in an oak tree. May 23, 2025.
Wilbur Wren is busily fixing up his house in our woods. He's hoping to impress Jenni Wren. Good luck, Wilbur! May 24, 2025.
This is Myrtle, one of our local Pileated Woodpeckers. She seemed to have a thoughtful look here during her fly by. More of the flight sequence (10 images) is posted on Instagram (link in the top right corner).
One of our local wild turkeys came through for a strut this morning. May 21, 2025
An Eastern Bluebird (male) in flight over a Southeastern Minnesota meadow...in search of a bug for breakfast
An Eastern Bluebird (male) perched in a Southeastern Minnesota meadow
An Eastern Bluebird (female) perched in a Southeastern Minnesota meadow
An Eastern Bluebird in flight approaching her house, part 1 of a sequence
An Indigo Bunting stopped by our woods to find insects in an oak tree. May 23, 2025.
Wilbur Wren (a House Wren) is busily fixing up his house in our woods. He's hoping to impress Jenni Wren. Good luck, Wilbur!
An Eastern Bluebird in flight approaching her house, part 2 of a sequence
An Eastern Bluebird in flight approaching her house, part 3 of a sequence
An Eastern Bluebird (male) took flight
"Something's over there!" Red Fox Kits (Vulpes vulpes) in the afternoon sun.
"Is this a private fight, or can anyone get in on it?" Red Fox Kits (Vulpes vulpes) playing in the afternoon sun after they just woke up.
"Boop!" Red Fox kits (Vulpes vulpes) playing with each other
More Red Fox kits (Vulpes vulpes) from Southeastern Minnesota
Tree Swallow in a Southeastern Minnesota park meadow
Eastern Bluebird in a Southeastern Minnesota park meadow
Eastern Bluebird in a Southeastern Minnesota park meadow
Eastern Bluebird in a Southeastern Minnesota park meadow
Eastern Bluebird in a Southeastern Minnesota park meadow
Pounce! Red fox kit (Vulpes vulpes) April 2025
Pounce! Red fox kit (Vulpes vulpes) April 2025
Pounce! Red fox kit (Vulpes vulpes) April 2025
Red fox kits (Vulpes vulpes) playing together. One looks like he or she is stalking something...maybe me (though I was a long ways off)
Red Fox kits (Vulpes vulpes) on alert near their den. April 2025
Red Fox kits (Vulpes vulpes) posing for the camera
Gus, one of our local Pileated Woodpeckers, sticking his landing in the rain. Well done, Gus!
Myrtle, one of our local Pileated Woodpeckers, is all about concentration as she sticks the landing.
Gus, one of our local Pileated Woodpeckers, passed through our woods and flew into the sunset.
A Black-capped Chickadee had breakfast alfresco in our woods.
Still Life with Blue Jay. But, no pack of Camels, match, dynamite, or pyramids. Honk if you know the reference.
"Good morning. I'd like to exchange this peanut, please." No kidding. These guys will come back to switch peanuts. Blue Jays can be very picky.
Gold finches have returned to Southern Minnesota! April 19, 2025
Sassy Blue Jay coming in for that perfectly controlled landing.
Painted Turtle in Warrior Pose. I waited around for Exalted Warrior, but it didn't happen.
I reckon Juncos have a high score on the cuteness scale. Dark-eyed Junco ("slate-colored") Rochester, Minnesota They like to perch on the dried hyssop, bee balm, and mint stems. I won't cut down stems until temperatures are consistently above 50F to let any tiny pollinators develop. Then, I'll have loads of work to do!
The American Crow occasionally passes through our woods. This one posed for a portrait.
Deer frequently visit our garden. They're pretty...as long as they don't eat the flowers.
How long will I love you? Northern cardinals in Springtime
Didn't know I caught this guy... Red-bellied Woodpecker, Rochester, MN.
A Blue Jay landing I hadn't really seen before though I'm sure it is common.
Sifting through Lightroom on a rainy Sunday afternoon, I found a Pelican in a moment of reflection... American Pelican, near La Crosse, Wisconsin
I think he's smiling. There's nothing like finding that perfect stick. Great Blue Heron, Near La Crosse, Wisconsin
Blue Jay diving for yet another peanut
I was lucky to find this Green-winged Teal Drake (unless someone tells me otherwise) while out on a hike.
I like house finches. Besides being pretty, their song seems very conversational as if they have quite a bit to report on. House Finch perched in one of our oak trees.
Hang on, Junko! Another reason not to cut that hyssop down too soon. I'll need some consistent 50+ degree days before the wildflowers are cut down. Then, I'll have a lot to do! Dark eyed Junko perched on dried hyssop stem.
Mr. Cardinal was staring me down.
Good Morning!!!
Blue Jay shenanigans from October, 2024
More Blue Jay shenanigans
Good Hair Day. American White Pelican photographed near La Crosse, Wisconsin
One of the sassy blue jays in our woods swooping and changing direction!
Bald Eagle soaring near Rochester, Minnesota, October, 2024
'Tis spring, and a young turkey's thoughts lightly turn to those of strutting. We have plenty of wild turkeys that wander through. Three regulars are Lenny, Bruce, and Vince. Lenny is showing off and Bruce is in the background.
"Hi. I like your caruncle." American Pelicans form a caruncle on their bill during mating season. I've read different versions of this claiming that the caruncle helps attract a mate. These were near La Crosse, WI and undoubtedly migrated from the gulf coast.
American Pelican in flight on a lovely day near La Crosse, WI.
I watched a Great Blue Heron make several trips for home improvement. From March 22, 2025
Pelicans out fishing in the afternoon sun.
"Wanna see the fish I caught?!" Close up of a Bald Eagle in flight having just caught a fish dinner.
I'm Soooooo looking forward to Spring and Summer and finding these tree frogs again. I figure finding frogs in the garden is a sign of a healthy habitat. . . This is Irving Jr. (Gray Treefrog) perched in Sweet Joe Pye Weed. He looks comfy.
From March 10, 2025...Brewer's Blackbird who showed up a tiny bit early.
Trumpeter swans migrate through our area. Here's a pair of them headed into the sunset.
A juvenile Bald Eagle was soaring above a local lake. Mom and Dad were nearby keeping an eye on him or her.
Mrs. and Mr. Mallard going somewhere fast!
Another look at Gus, our local pileated woodpecker.
Myrtle, one of our local pileated woodpeckers, posing for the camera. Isn't she beautiful?
A local northern cardinal hanging out in our woods during the winter
Redwing blackbird
Trumpeter Swans stopping by Southern Minnesota on their Spring migration.
Our blue jays sometimes have a disagreement about who gets the peanut.
A juvenile Bald Eagle soaring in the late afternoon sun
Bald Eagle soaring near the Mississippi River
One of our local Peregrine Falcons paused near the river in search of a meal
A Sharp Shinned Hawk visited our backyard looking for lunch
Mrs. and Mr. Mallard out for a swim
An Eastern Bluebird that I found on a walk around the reservoir
Gus, our local Pileated Woodpecker spiking a take off in the snow and ice!
A Red Tail hawk was searching for dinner in nearby woods
Mrs. and Mr. Mallard in flight and in sync
Indigo Bunting
One of our Pileated Woodpeckers. This is Myrtle.
A new addition to our woods.
Indigo Bunting perched on last season's Beebalm
This is Gus, our other Pileated Woodpecker
Gray treefrog looking very green on a wild raspberry leaf
Scarlet Tanager in one of our oaks with new leaves
Raccoon. This joker boldly showed up while I was out with the camera. He can't figure out how to get to the bird feeder. I call him Rocky.
This Gold Finch seemed to be disapproving of my photography...
A nuthatch...wondering why the feeder was empty.
A ruby throated hummingbird was keeping an eye on me while I was in the wildflower garden.
Red bellied woodpecker. Thinking about moving in...
A gray treefrog, who doesn't always stay gray, on coneflower
gray treefrog
Female ruby throated hummingbird
Female ruby throated hummingbird
Female ruby throated hummingbird
Female ruby throated hummingbird
Wild turkey...a different kind of flower!
Gray Tree Frog, named Irving Jr., resting in Sweet Joe Pye Weed
One of the fawns from our woods. We have a set of triplets and a set of twins this year.
Young buck in our woods.
Two of our triplet fawns in the wildflowers fy the creekbed. The third was still in the woods.
Blue Jay Tail #2. Reproducible to 48"x60"