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Central Minnesota Photo Ops


william_h._wiley

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Can anyone tell me about nature/wildlife photo ops around Brainard,

MN? I see that there are a couple of National Wildlife Refuges in the

area (Mille Lacs, Rice Lake), but I've never been to any of them. I

assume that there are state wildlife management areas also, but I

have no information on those. I will be staying at Pelican Lake. Any

ideas for wildlife, birds, etc. to shoot around Memorial Day?

 

Thanks,

Bill

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Mille Lacs Kathio State Park has numerous photo opportunities. I don't know about any

photo tours there, but you could always hire a boat from a resort. There are numerous

species in the area including eagles, osprey, loons, assorted gulls and terns and swifts,

herons egrets, etc. The area is very wet and there are countless little ponds and marshes

that are teeming with animal life yet are close to roads and highways.

<br><br>

Here are some <a href=http://www.paulbunyanscenicbyway.org/tour/index.shtm>self

guided driving tours</a> to explore. Don't forget to eat the Grand Buffet at Grand Casino

Mille Lacs!

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What kind of wildlife/nature are you looking for and how far do you want to travel? Deer are everywhere, ducks/geese are everywhere, loons and cranes relatively common, eagles and osprey can be found. There are black bears in the less populated areas, but may be hard to spot in true wildlife settings.

 

North and west of Pelican Lake will tend to be less developed.

 

Paul Bunyan Nature Center is about (http://www.pbnlc.org) is about 12 miles southeast and may offer some shots of waterfowl. It's close to Brainerd and Baxter, so a good place to stop if others want to go "downtown".

 

Sometimes the best nature shots can be found in the small ponds and marshes. They can be found by taking the small roads. These roads won't be shown on most road maps, so try the online topo maps (such as http://terraserver.microsoft.com/image.aspx?T=2&S=15&Z=15&X=63&Y=805&W=1&qs=%7cmerrifield%7cmn%7c) Consider bringing a pair of hip boots and tripod that can be used in marshy, muddy areas.

 

Minnesota Dept of Natural Resources has a good site: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/outdoor_activities/index.html Look for parks, wildlife areas, and state forests.

 

If you're shooting film, bring what you need. Hard to find anything other than print film and some basic slide film.

 

PM me if you have more questions. I have a place about 8 miles south of Pelican (on North Long). Though I haven't done any wildlife photography in the area.

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Besides those already mentioned, these might be of interest, depending on how much time you have.

 

Lake Alexander Wood SNA

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snas/sna01094/index.html

 

McGregor Marsh

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snas/sna01033/index.html

 

Maplewood State Park

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/maplewood/index.html

 

Lake Alexander Preserve

http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/minnesota/preserves/art6946.html

 

Paul Bunyan Savanna

http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/minnesota/preserves/art6950.html

 

Cuyana Country

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/cuyuna_country/index.html

 

Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge

http://www.fws.gov/midwest/tamarac/

 

Its going to be crowded on the lakes, and just about anywhere in that part of the state over Memorial Day (you probably already knew that).

The farther west you go (out towards the prairie pot region) the better the birding opportunities will be. Not because there will be more but because they won't be in the deep woods and easier to spot. Thats my take.

 

Good luck.

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