Virtual Visit

Experience the natural beauty of Pleasant Lake through the lenses of our community photographers. From the early morning mist on the water to the rare sightings of our resident wildlife, this gallery celebrates the vibrant ecosystem we work to protect.

photographs by Jen Esten and Jon Waage

Bullfrog

Painted Turtle

Spring Peeper

Bluet Damselfly

Damselfly

Dragonfly

Autumn at Pleasant Lake

Boat Parade

Calm Waters

Early Autumn Morning

Turtle Cove

Common Loon

Loon surfacing

Loon swimming

Loon on the water

Nesting Loon

Piper and Mom

Piper

Belted Kingfisher

Black Bear

Chipmunk

Common Grackle

Downy Woodpecker

White-tailed Fawn

Pileated Woodpecker

Young Fawn

Shoreline Flora

Spring Blooms

Bald Eagle

Barred Owl

Juvenile Bald Eagle

Osprey in flight

Black-capped Chickadee

Songbirds

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Songbirds

Chickadee

Songbirds

Common Yellowthroat Warbler

Eastern Bluebird

Eastern Kingbird

Eastern Phoebe

Gray Catbird

Male Eastern Bluebird

Songbirds

Ovenbird

Songbirds

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Song Sparrow

Great Blue Heron

Spotted Sandpiper

Canada Geese pair

Canada Geese on the lake

Canada Geese

Common Merganser

Common Mergansers

Wood Duck

Wood Ducks

Bald Eagles Present

Bald Eagles are regularly observed foraging on Pleasant Lake and in surrounding watershed habitat. These majestic raptors are a testament to the healthy ecosystem of the lake and are often seen perched in tall pines along the shoreline or diving for fish in the deeper waters.

Other Resident Wildlife

Water Birds & Waders

Great Blue Herons, Osprey, and Double-crested Cormorants are all regularly observed around the lake in feeding and shoreline habitat.

Mallard Ducks & Mergansers

Common in shoreline habitat and near marshier coves, along with Common Merganser, Hooded Merganser, and Wood Ducks.

Songbirds

Song Sparrows, Robins, Chickadees, Hermit Thrush, and various Warblers are common seasonal visitors. Shoreline and upland habitat support rich seasonal songbird activity.

Mammals

PLPA has documented fawns, bears, otters, and other mammals in the Pleasant Lake watershed. These animals rely on the clean water and protected corridors of our watershed.

Reptiles & Amphibians

Painted and Snapping Turtles, Eastern Newt, American Toad, Bullfrog, Green Frog, and other species are regularly seen in shoreline and wetland habitat.

Habitat Stewardship

Support wildlife by practicing No Mow May and leaving fallen leaves in fall to provide critical habitat and food sources for overwintering species.