Friday, April 5, 2013

Redpolls, Ravens, Woodpeckers, and Hunting with a wild Mink At The Vermilon River.

 I didn't post over the Easter week, simply because I took a break. The weather is still up and down with about 10 cm of new fallen snow last night. The photos here are over a two day period, one overcast and the other bright and sunny. The trails are still icy, so I have not been able to get to the rapids. No politics today, but a lot of photos. Google has the slideshow up and operating so click any photo to view it.
Blue Jay

Mourning Dove.

A visit from the Starlings

 A post to: Id Rather Be Birdin, My World Tuesday, and WBW.
Upper River in bright sun.

Blue Jay

Redpoll

Upper River in grey.

Starling

Downy Woodpecker.

Female Downy Woodpecker.

Blue Jay

Redpoll

 The River was playing bells on the ice rim. It's too bad I don't have a microphone.
Lower River in sun

Ice in River.

Open water in grey

Blue Jay

Raven

Ravens on frozen wetland.

Redpoll

Redpoll

Upper River and overcast ridge.

Ice in sun

Sparkling ice


Rocks and snow

Upper River in sun

Female Downy

This shot gives you some idea of perspective, and the mink. This is one of the final shots as he was skirting the shoreline hunting along the ice in and out of the water. He 's a wild mink because he has the pink patch under his chin.
Blow up showing pink patch

Hunting the shoreline.

On the ice.

Skirting the ice.

Same

Same.

 Wild mink are not fish eaters but flesh eaters, so he's hunting mice, voles or Red Squirrels.
Profile

Moving up the ice.

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35 comments:

  1. TexWisGirlApril 5, 2013 at 8:56 AM

    the mink is cool! 'playing bells'. would love to hear that.

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  2. Nancy JApril 5, 2013 at 11:44 AM

    " Ice in the sun" beautiful, my favourite, but the mink, his profile pic is super. You still have so much snow and ice, when does spring arrive? Greetings from Jean

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  3. Lucy Corrander Now in Halifax!April 5, 2013 at 3:24 PM

    I too would have liked to hear the ice.

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  4. StephanieApril 6, 2013 at 5:11 PM

    Nice to see the Mink. When does spring arrive for you? Love all the shots!

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  5. GuyApril 6, 2013 at 6:17 PM

    Hi Roy

    The series on the milk was amazing. And I really liked the photo "Upper River in bright sun" it just speaks to the shield and the archetypical Canadian landscape.

    Hi to Boomer.
    Guy

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  6. Phil SladeApril 7, 2013 at 5:20 AM

    Your usual super shots Gary which make me desperate for our redpolls to come through as they are late now.

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  7. Anni April 7, 2013 at 5:51 AM

    A mink?!!! Whoa. That would have been a sight of a lifetime. Beautiful river bank images with the sun, the snow and the colors! And as always, your bird images are an inspiration each and every week.

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  8. HansHBApril 7, 2013 at 5:51 AM

    Great serie of photos.
    I recognize several of these birds.
    We find them in Norway too!

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  9. Jenn JilksApril 7, 2013 at 6:23 AM

    This is so fun!
    I found a quartet of otters last week!
    Cheers from Cottage Country!

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  10. SheyApril 7, 2013 at 7:19 AM

    Great views of the river as always. It looks cold but very beautiful. Amazing bird sightings again. Loved looking at the mink while hunting.

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  11. Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪April 7, 2013 at 5:43 PM

    were you frozen by the time you finished? Are there any stoats?

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  12. EG CameraGirlApril 7, 2013 at 11:14 PM

    I love watching mink prowl along the water's edge.

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  13. AnonymousApril 8, 2013 at 9:03 AM

    Fabulous shots of the mink. Hope you enjoyed your break!

    Still snowing here too.

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  14. islandwonderApril 8, 2013 at 1:23 PM

    Love the sound of a river playing "bells".

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  15. Sylvia KApril 8, 2013 at 1:27 PM

    Oh, I do love seeing the prowling mink!! And the birds are always beautifuland colorful! And marvelous captures as always, Gary!! Have a good week!

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  16. MarciaApril 8, 2013 at 1:27 PM

    Neat photos of the mink. And its still winter where you are.

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  17. mickApril 8, 2013 at 1:28 PM

    Your world is very beautiful but I'm glad I don't have to try and walk on that ice.

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  18. AnnaApril 8, 2013 at 1:35 PM

    Greet captures, Gary!
    Love the wild mink so much...
    Warm greetings from Holland,
    Anna :))

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  19. Ekaterina TraytApril 8, 2013 at 1:36 PM

    The mink is so cute! I've never seen a wild mink, but I saw an otter in the wild, it was swimming near the shore, where my friend was playing guitar. I guess it loved the music :)

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  20. LeoviApril 8, 2013 at 1:41 PM

    Yes, pretty pictures! These landscapes are a true full melt gorgeous. Good job ...!

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  21. LeoviApril 8, 2013 at 1:41 PM

    Yes, pretty pictures! These landscapes are a true full melt gorgeous. Good job ...!

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  22. Martha ZApril 8, 2013 at 1:58 PM

    Not yet spring in your world, Gary. It is amazing to me how many creatures are adapted to the cold while we huddle in our homes and venture out only in parkas and other cold weather gear.

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  23. AnonymousApril 8, 2013 at 2:40 PM

    Your environment is such joy for the senses. What wonderful life finds itself there. Thank you very much for this journey. Please have a good Tuesday.

    robert geiß

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  24. NatureFootstepApril 8, 2013 at 3:00 PM

    lovely wildlife. :)

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  25. AndreaApril 8, 2013 at 4:54 PM

    We are at the opposite ends of the thermometer at this moment, but at least yours is already on the way to comfort. Ours is still soaring from around 35C with high humidity till the rain comes in May which will lessen our heat.

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  26. KarenApril 8, 2013 at 7:44 PM

    Lovely wintery scenes Gary. Spring is late this year in Ontario!

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  27. RandiApril 8, 2013 at 10:26 PM

    I love your photos! Your world is so beautiful!

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  28. Kay L. DaviesApril 8, 2013 at 10:30 PM

    You know I always love your bird photos, and always want to see Boomer, but this week is just driving me crazy. My friend Jennifer in Ontario (yes, the Our World Tuesday Jennifer) has seen a beaver and several otters this week, and now you post photos of a wild mink, none of which I've ever seen up close.
    Fantastic work, Gary, and hats off to Jenn, too.
    K

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  29. Fun60April 9, 2013 at 4:19 AM

    Still lots of snow around I see but it looks absolutely beautiful with the blue skies and the sun shining on the pristine snow. I've never seen a mink so the photos look really interesting.

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  30. JannibeleApril 10, 2013 at 12:09 PM

    Such a variety of beautiful birds. Many of them we don't have here in Norway. Great shots of the mink.

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  31. Sallie (FullTime-Life)April 11, 2013 at 12:57 PM

    Wonderful birds; the ravens on that frozen ground look as if they're ice-skating. I've never seen a wild mink (or any mink anywhere for that matter)...beautiful pictures. Back to look at the pictures in slide-show format as soon as I send this. Thanks as always.

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  32. amandaApril 11, 2013 at 8:45 PM

    Starting to look like a little like spring up your way!

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  33. Kenneth Cole SchneiderApril 13, 2013 at 10:44 AM

    Very nice wintery views. I see the atarling has not yet lost its "stars," so it doesn't yet know it's spring.

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  34. ❀~Myrna~❀April 15, 2013 at 9:46 AM

    Love your beautiful pics & adventures!

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  35. Sylvia KApril 22, 2013 at 12:55 PM

    Love the mink pics!! Wonderful captures as always, Gary! It does still look COLD in your world!! Thank for your kind words regarding Sam. He is sorely missed.

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