Maine is the largest of all the New England states. The state’s 33,414 square miles include an interior that is made up mostly of forest area, which provides the perfect habitat for many mammals, birds and fish. We might be most famous for our moose population, it IS our state animal after all, but there are so many other wonderful species that keep animal lovers on the lookout for the next exciting photo opportunity.
Here are 20 photos of wildlife in Maine that can be seen in a variety of areas. Take a look and see if you’ve spotted them all.
- Just about anywhere off the beaten path, you might find a moose. This one is a young bull.
Lois Smith / Flickr
- And here are a bull and cow moose together.
Hagerty Ryan, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service / Wikimedia Commons
- The Atlantic Puffin can be seen in coastal areas of Northern Maine. These guys were photographed at the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge.
usfwshq / Flickr
- A closeup of the colorful Atlantic Puffin.
Billtacular / Flickr
- A beautiful Monarch on Mt. Desert Island at Thuya Gardens in Northeast Harbor.
Paul VanDerWerf / Flickr
- We can’t forget one of the most important animals of Maine - the fearless outdoor companion!
Y Nakanishi / Flickr
- This river otter was photographed at the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge near Calais.
usfwsnortheast/ / Flickr
- A whale breaching off the coast of Bar Harbor.
Pat Hawks / Flickr
- Peaceful loons heading home for some family time at Moosehead Lake in Big Squaw.
John Schell / Flickr
- And here is one close up…the Great Northern Loon.
John Picken / WikiMedia Commons
- This adorabe Fisher is native to areas of Maine and is part of the weasel family.
Forestwander.com
- This is a Spruce Grouse, found in some forested areas of Maine. But, beware hunters, there is no open season for this bird and they can easily be mistaken for the (legally hunted) Ruffed Grouse. One way to tell the difference is by the tail feathers. The Spruce Grouse has red-brown tips and lacks the broad black band of the Ruffed Grouse.
usfwsnortheast/ / Flickr
- This is a juvenile red-bellied cooter bog turtle, which is currently on the endangered species list.
usfwsnortheast/ / Flickr
- Maine’s state bird, the Black-Capped Chickadee.
Eric Begin / Flickr
- These Canada Lynx Kittens were rehabilitated and released into Maine’s North Woods.
Flickr/US Fish and Wildlife Services
- Here’s a Roseate Tern chasing a Common Tern on Petit Manan Island.
usfwsnortheast/ / Flickr
- Perhaps this Arctic Tern wanted to be a part of the action on Petit Manan Island.
usfwshq / Flickr
- A Maine wild deer spending some time in a backyard.
Jeff Hawkins / Flickr
- This ring-billed gull is patiently waiting for…something.
Mike Cempa / Flickr
- And lastly, one more of our favorite Maine bird - the loon. This time with two chicks riding atop her back.
Keith Carver / Flickr
What did we miss? If you have any photos of great wildlife in our state, please share them with us in the comments or on the Only in Maine Facebook Page.
Lois Smith / Flickr
Hagerty Ryan, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service / Wikimedia Commons
usfwshq / Flickr
Billtacular / Flickr
Paul VanDerWerf / Flickr
Y Nakanishi / Flickr
usfwsnortheast/ / Flickr
Pat Hawks / Flickr
John Schell / Flickr
John Picken / WikiMedia Commons
Forestwander.com
Eric Begin / Flickr
Flickr/US Fish and Wildlife Services
Jeff Hawkins / Flickr
Mike Cempa / Flickr
Keith Carver / Flickr
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