The Wldlife Bounty Of Spring

Spending time outdoors can be especially rewarding in the spring.  Many species are on the move seeking mates and one never knows what might appear.  I still see mink regularly, especially this female that has a wicked scar from where a male bit her during breeding...

She appears almost every day, searching in each familiar hole, root complex and crevice...

Sometimes she enters a hole and out pops the original occupant, like this muskrat...

The white chin patch is visible when she scratches. The chin patch distinguishes mink of the new world from their European cousins...

While parked near the creek, this mourning dove landed close by...

A single, male, merganser floated quietly by...

A little later I encountered a pair of wood ducks...

The male wood duck is one of the most beautiful waterfowl in our region...

While more subdued, the female is also attractive...

While leaving the area I caught a glimpse of a turkey gobbler heading into thick cover...

Overall, a productive week for wildlife sightings.

Thanks for visiting, be well, and come back soon.