rsworden

I'll be in the Minneapolis area for about a week soon. I've done some winter landscape photography and have gear for 2-4 hours in the cold, but I'm not equipped to go out into real wilderness. From what I've read, if there is moving or otherwise unfrozen, eagles and swans and geese can be present through the winter. Can anyone recommend some local parks or refuges that remain open? Looking at eBird, places like Mississippi Gateway park, Medicine Lake and so on seem to have a lot of sightings in recent weeks, so they must be relatively accessible in the snow.

What are the chances of seeing owls in the parks vs. having to go further afield?

What about other mammal wildlife in the winter?

Thanks in advance.

Basil_O Loc: Minneapolis, MN

For larger wildlife, Fort Snelling State Park (near the airport) is a great spot to see deer in the early evening. Try the parking loops on picnic Island a half hour before sunset. Taking a walk around Pike Island will pay off in bird sightings (including pileated woodpeckers a potential for owls). Ask at the ranger station if there have been recent spottings. The parking loops by the beach area also have owls. The nearby Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge is also a nice place to take a stroll.

The St. Croix River in Hudson, WI is a good place for open water winter birding. Trumpeter Swans can be found there frequently.

An hour south of the cities down Highway 61 will bring you to Red Wing. Colvil Park is a hot spot for eagles this time of year. If you have the time, this should be a must-see.

Mississippi Gateway Park is also good this time of year. The open water beneath the dam attracts larger birds and the walking paths yield lots of smaller songbirds.

Enjoy your stay. The Twin Cities in the winter time are marvelous (Rice Park in downtown St. Paul is magical). The winter landscapes are beautiful.

Bushpilot Loc: Minnesota

I agree withBasil_O on this, Fort Snelling State Park is for sure worth a shot. The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge all along the Minnesota River southwest of the airport is a good choice.
North northeast of Minneapolis try the Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area, northwest of Minneapolis look at Elm Creek Park Reserve. I guess it mainly depends on where you are staying while in the area.

gwcole

Last winter my daughter was driving through down town St. Paul when a deer ran into her front fender. There is a lot of wildlife in the cities but they tend to be nocturnal. It's better to go to one of the places others here have recommended.

IowaDave Loc: North Iowa

Minnehaha Falls, is between the airport and downtown Minneapolis, MN. Some winters the falls are frozen over, but it might be a place to check. Also if you want city landscapes, i'd go east of the Mississippi River, around the St Anthony suburb. you can have the river in the foreground and the city in the background looking west

Basil_O Loc: Minneapolis, MN

Normally, the falls would be a must see spot. However, this year's drought has reduced the flow of the creek to a trickle. It's not worth it.

rsworden

Thank you all so much! I’ll be staying in Maple Grove, so all these are within easy reach.

rsworden

I did get to visit Fort Snelling State Park and walked Pike Island (about 4 miles round trip). Although another fellow said he saw some eagles, I didn't... did hear and see some Hairy Woodpeckers, and a quick glimpse of a Pileated and some sort of owl, too quick to get a pic. But a deer crossed the trail right near me and hung around for a photo series. See my post "White-Tailed Deer in the snow" in the general gallery.

Thanks again for the tips! With another storm coming in I'm not sure I'll get to go out again this trip.