Blane Klemek

When I moved back to the rural Bemidji area some 25 years ago, several species of wildlife were less common than they are now. Black bear, wild turkey, trumpeter swan, red-bellied woodpecker and black-billed magpie are species that come to mind. All five ... See more

Whenever I think of pine grosbeaks, I think about the holidays. It seems that every year I see a handful of pine grosbeaks at my backyard feeding station during the month of December, around Christmas time. This year, I’ve enjoyed the company of a modest ... See more

Blue jays are abundant at my backyard bird feeding station this early winter. At one point recently, I counted over a dozen blue jays taking turns in groups of up to six at a time at my feeder to gulp down black oil sunflower seeds. Skittish as always, th... See more

Chuck? Land beaver? Groundhog? Whistle-pig?! Indeed, such interesting names are assigned to none other than the affable woodchuck. And interestingly enough, I’ve never featured this common yet rarely observed Minnesota mammal in any of the many columns I’... See more