"A Sand County Almanac"

"THERE ARE SOME WHO CAN LIVE WITHOUT WILD THINGS AND SOME WHO CANNOT."
"FOR US IN THE MINORITY THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE GEESE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN TELEVISION.".....Aldo Leopold



"LOOK DEEP INTO NATURE, AND THEN YOU WILL UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING BETTER".....Albert Einstein


“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves”.....John Muir


Saturday, March 5, 2016

Mink On The Prowl

About this time each year I see mink prowling the creek banks seeking mates and food...







  These curious, energetic animals explore each hole and crevice that they encounter...
  
When they explore submerged roots and logs they often emerge with a fish.  In this case a sunfish...

This one captured a bass...





During warmer weather I found a mink with a bullfrog...

When the stream is stocked with trout the mink begin fishing in earnest...

Last week I found this mink scent marking a patch of green moss.  Leaving scent will notify other mink that this territory is already claimed...









When mink mate the male is brutal, seizing the female by the back of her neck and shaking her into submission...


Like otters, mink have a web membrane between their toes allowing them to capture fish with ease...

They will soon be lining their dens with dry grass and leaves in readiness for the birth of the next generation...



If your travels take you near ponds, lakes or streams you might encounter a mink, especially at this time of year.
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2 comments:

  1. BetsMarch 20, 2016 at 7:38 AM

    Hello Steve
    I like always your pictures.
    Greetings bets

    ReplyDelete

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