The wildlife, I think, is confused by the weather. We've been in a weather rain warning for the last two days.We got 25 mm of rain. To the east, they got 35 mm.To the west, they've got a raging snow storm. Yesterday we had about 100 Redpolls at the feeders, and yet you'll see spring migrants in the photos. I didn't include any scene shots as there are some forty photos here, so use the slideshow and enjoy.
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Wild Mink on ice. |
A post to:
Id Rather Be Birdin,
Our World Tuesday, and
WBW. Opposite cavorting Tree Swallows.
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Hooded Mergansers |
This was a really exciting find. Pileated Woodpeckers are about the size of crows. They and the Ivory-billed Woodpecker are the largest of the species in North America. The Ivory-billed may be extinct, or at best rare. I got shots of the male and female. The male has a red mustache. You'll see the two of them in a later shot.
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Geese in flight |
![](//1.bp.blogspot.com/-YQp7p65xSSE/UXFQsSm52NI/AAAAAAAAM1M/rf-1VaIUtU4/s320/2+Hooded+Mergansers.jpg) |
Hooded Meergansers |
![](//3.bp.blogspot.com/-SuqrAjkq0pI/UXFQt67-BfI/AAAAAAAAM1U/OhId1YnNBBw/s320/2+Mink.jpg) |
Wild Mink on ice |
![](//2.bp.blogspot.com/-RT0iNL9oyxs/UXFQv8xuVdI/AAAAAAAAM1c/mRRboQ09s0Q/s320/2+Raven.jpg) |
Raven |
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Tree Swallows |
![](//3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yyu1gmMz-rY/UXFQz1CWmxI/AAAAAAAAM1s/kKO5uJlJZZY/s320/3+F+Pileated.jpg) |
Female Pileated |
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Male Hooded Mergansers |
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Mink hunting |
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A very welcome arrival |
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Pileated |
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Mink running on the ice. |
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Raven |
Just a note: Thanks to Karen, and Nora for checking on us. Boom, as is usual for large dogs, is aging exponentially. He was at the vets last week. He is comfortable,and not at all in pain. But I know I will not have him for too much longer.
![](//2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Ep1zs8SJKg/UXFROHLKM9I/AAAAAAAAM2s/y0fTMBhxpV8/s320/3+F+Pileated.jpg) |
Pileated |
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Hunting on the island |
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Pileated |
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Male and Female Hooded Mergansers. |
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Pileated |
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Chipmunks |
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Chipmunk |
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Chipmunk in tree |
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Female Pileated |
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Geese in flight. |
![](//2.bp.blogspot.com/-9g3hsy8kyCI/UXFSF78cIVI/AAAAAAAAM40/42TabCbhWzo/s320/Hidding+Chipmunk.jpg) |
Peeking Chipmunk |
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Junco, one of a flock that was near the Robin |
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Female |
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Female and Male Pileated-male on right. |
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Male Goldeneye in flight |
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Mink on island. |
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Wild mink |
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Am I a handsome dude? |
![](//1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiqBnRFcJO8/UXFSekOBdAI/AAAAAAAAM58/vl1tialW6EM/s320/Peak+aboo+chipmunk.jpg) |
Posing Chipmunk |
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Back side |
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Pileated through the branches. |
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Raven in flight. |
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Raven |
![](//4.bp.blogspot.com/-icwVIPFv8wU/UXFSw66lIXI/AAAAAAAAM68/dyOz9Moy8SY/s320/Rear+Mink.jpg) |
Wild mink |
![](//4.bp.blogspot.com/-w13f4rXgSfk/UXFSzKHPhPI/AAAAAAAAM7E/LU30X_l1jcA/s320/Robin.jpg) |
Robin |
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Two Male Goldeneyes |
![](//3.bp.blogspot.com/-K6VRCiAtJao/UXFS3Veg8_I/AAAAAAAAM7U/aYU_bFzCcUo/s320/Willow.jpg) |
Pussy willows |
Great shots Gary! I have seen one Pileated, and didn't even get a shot, and I know how excited I was, so you must have been over the moon! Love the raven in flight.
ReplyDeletethe mink is fabulous! the pileated is gorgeous! the chippy just makes me smile. :)
ReplyDeleteSuper photos, you still have loads of snow, Dear Boomer, life is fragile at all ages, enjoy each day. Fond greetings from Jean
ReplyDeleteAll of the birds are great, great, great, but oh my goodness that wild Mink on the ice and the little Chipmunk...gave me giggles, so fun to see~
ReplyDeleteGreat wildlife shots.
ReplyDeleteRough spring & winter weather here.. it's got to be very stressful on the deer, as their metabolism has changed and they're starting to need some shoots & buds to forage on soon. The wolves start to have quite an advantage with their paws, staying on top of the crustier snow.
We saw a flock of wandering Canadian geese on Pokegama Lake this week.. still frozen. They were all astray, wandering the ice, probably hoping for more munchies than their able to find!
The suns is coming out though.. brighter days ahead.
I especially enjoyed the Pileated Woodpeckers and the chipmunks; great series again Gary. Keep warm .. and dry!
ReplyDeleteGreat series of images!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos, I really thought the little chipmunk ones were so cute.
ReplyDeleteGreat series. I liked the wood peckers. I don't get to see them here often.
ReplyDeleteA great serie of photos!
ReplyDeleteWell done!
Fascinating series of photos as always! Adored the bright red of the pileated and an awesome capture of the raven in flight!
ReplyDeleteGreat collection, Gary! I love all the birds and the cute mink!
ReplyDeleteFabulous wildlife series. I love the Pileateds - would love to see one.
ReplyDeleteHugs to Boomer.
A great selection and variety as ever Gary. Love the Piliated pecker.
ReplyDeleteFabulous shots! I love the woodpecker and the raven, but the mink and the chipmunk kind of stole the show. Awesome!
ReplyDeleteThe hooded mergansers are stupendous!!! And, love the chipmunk up a tree. The raven in flight is awesome too.
ReplyDeletethe hooded merganser is on my wish list. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Gary,
ReplyDeleteYour critter photos are just fabulous as always! I get to see beautiful critters that I don't see here, and that is so good for my soul..
Nice show! I love those Pileateds!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing assortment of wildlife! You always have such great captures.
ReplyDeleteNice shots again. Always enjoy your posts. Love watching the wildlife activity. I'm sure Boomer has known much happiness in this beautiful surrounding and until his final days.
ReplyDeleteTotally amazing shots indeed!!! Your flight shots rock and those woodpeckers would probably scare the beejeebers out of me they are so big (we have hairy and downy at my place)
ReplyDeleteGreat shots!
ReplyDeleteHi Gary! How wonderful to see so much wildlife where you live.Thanks for sharing this! It looks very cold by the look of your photos. Fortunately spring is coming now.
ReplyDeleteI wish you a great week!
Your wildlife photo's are always so special. I always lve to come and see them here. The weather all over the world is strange. Everything in nature is a month later than always every year.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous wildlife, Gary!
ReplyDeleteI love your mink very much... :))
Warm greetings from Holland,
Anna
first time to be seeing wild mink.
ReplyDeleteThat Pileated Woodpecker looks magnificent. From Findlay
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos are gorgeous, beautiful birds!
ReplyDeleteYou are just a miracle man :) How you can get so many wonderful photos but I don`t complain!
ReplyDeleteThe photo 39 is perfect!
We have very few migrants here, they are much later than usually. Our lakes too are still frozen even most of snow is gone now. But we have still frosts during nights.
Nice days to you and yours!
A great series of photos. It must be nice to see all those birds back in your area. The chipmunks are so cute!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful wildlife photos, you capture it so well.
ReplyDeleteWow! Nice. I had never seen a mink!
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots of your wildlife!
ReplyDeleteGreat set of pictures - the PWP is one of my favourite birds - I managed to get good views in Ohio, USA a few years ago - I got very excited!
ReplyDeleteStewart M - Melbourne
Another fabulous series Gary. Love that shot of the mink with it's back legs up and it runs across the ice!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful captures as always!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for Boom.
I am smiling with joy at sharing your pictures. The minks are wonderful. As always so are the birds. I saw a pileated woodpecker the other evening, but had no camera. I'm glad you always do!!!
ReplyDeleteThe female pileated looks quite fierce:) Beautiful series, Gary! (and I see: still snow!)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful collection of wildlife. Love the wet mink, woodpeckers galore and all your other shots, particularly that cheeky chipmunk.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful series of photos.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is picture 24.
Regards, Irma
Fabulous series of photos, so many amazing captures! I especially like the raven photos :) What great and interesting wildlife!
ReplyDeleteHilde.
Great series, Gary! I really love the Mink, it's such a beautiful animal.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a great time exploring! Love how all the images put together a fun overview of your day.
ReplyDeleteMy gracious! Not one, but TWO Pileateds on a tree! You should buy a lottery ticket! ;-) Wonderful, wonderful slideshow; loved every single image, bird and critter.
ReplyDeleteVisiting from Wild Bird Wednesday,
Lindy
I always look at your posts twice ...looked at all the pictures in slide format this time. The mink sliding on the ice showed up so wonderfully enlarged like that and I saw the difference between the male and female pileated. Again, great post.
ReplyDeleteVery nice photos of both birds and sweet chipmunks! /Pia
ReplyDeleteGreat series. I've never even seen Peeking Chipmunk. Some animals that live in Canada, living here in Central Europe too. Some of them do not live here.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of the mink hunting, we have them and they are quite visciou. Lovely series of wildlife photos.
ReplyDeleteHi Gary
ReplyDeleteLovely photos great shots of the Pileated Woodpecker they are such an impressive bird. The mink was a treat and the Hooded Merganser is I think one of the most beautiful of all ducks.
All the best.
Guy