Wildlife

A bear at the door

May 13, 2026

A black bear appeared on Dean Flugstad’s doorstep in rural Lake City recently. In a video taken by Flugstad of the incident, the bear walks up to the door and investigates before turning its attention to some nearby plants and finally wandering off. He said the bear took down some bird feeders on...

Pelicans proliferate on Pleasant Valley Lakelet, crane makes appearance

Apr 15, 2026

A great many pelicans were present on the southern portion of Pleasant Valley Lakelet (AKA Frontenac Pond) on April 10. Ben Threinen, who took this photo, said it’s the first time in about six years he’s seen such a large gathering on the pond. Back then they had congregated on the northern part of...

Swan backwater

Nov 26, 2025

Local photographer Steve Brown submitted several photos of what appear to be trumpeter swans taken around the Weaver Bottoms. “Living in the flyway we’re treated to these opportunities to see lots of birds move through our area,” he said.

Gull takes a break at pier concourse

Nov 12, 2025

A gull rests in the sunshine at the government pier concourse in Lake City in this photo submitted by Don Schmitz. “I’ve taken so many wonderful captures of the beauty of Lake Pepin,” he wrote. “This is one more.”

Raccoon sighting

Oct 15, 2025

Kathy Kruger submitted this raccoon photo taken by her friend Kathy Gates last weekend near Lake City. She shared the following info about raccoons: “Raccoons are opportunistic eaters and feed on what is most convenient including nuts, fruits and berries, mice, fish, insects and bird eggs. These...

Hummingbird clearwing moth photographed

Aug 13, 2025

Photographer Ben Threinen’s photo of a hummingbird in the July 31 issue of the Graphic inspired another photographer to get a close-up of flower-visiting wildlife. “Ben’s hummingbird pic motivated me to get some shots of these little moths (less than one inch long) that come and go from my wife’s...

Gulls swarm during another mayfly hatch

Jul 23, 2025

Photographer Ben Threinen submitted this photo taken July 19 of a swarm of seagulls over downtown Lake City with the subject: “Gulls flock to Alliance Bank to make deposits!” The congregation corresponded with another apparent mayfly hatch on Lake Pepin. It provided a dynamic backdrop for a...

Wildlife on land, water, the wing, and a stump

May 21, 2025

Photographer Ben Threinen spotted a few wild things recently. Clockwise from left above: a sandhill crane in flight, a blue heron wading in the water, a robin trying to join the Threinen’s picnic, and a painted turtle.

Sales, boat, and bird

May 7, 2025

Lincoln High School promgoers took a ride on a boat Saturday. Pictured above, from left, are Benny Lopez, Ella Juers, Delilah Benjamin, and Cade Oliver. Photo by Heather Gilbertson. At right is a photo of a glossy ibis, the first one photographer Ben Threinen has ever photographed on Frontenac Pond...

Angler advised to release juvenile squirrel

Sep 18, 2024

A trout angler was told to release an unusual catch last week. According to the Sept. 16 weekly conservation officer report from the Department of Natural Resources Rochester-area: “A trout angler was checked who had a live juvenile gray squirrel resting on his shoulder that he had found near the...