Borden Wetlands

Observing the mink has become something of a morning ritual. It seems almost as when you buy a new car and then suddenly become aware of all the other cars of the same model. Since my first photos of the mink, I am now quite easily able to locate the mink every morning that I frequent the wetlands. Stand still for long enough, watch for movement on the far edge of the water, and there he is. Bounding over fallen rotten tree trunks. Traversing effortlessly from the land to the water, and on this occasion, swimming under the very critical eye of the resident mallards. And back again to land. Pausing very occasionally in between the endless search for food. The mink has so much energy and apparent enthusiasm for the hunt. It really is a treat to watch. The water, as you can see, is not frozen. The temperature for November has been incredibly mild. With the water not frozen, I've been able to watch the muskrats who live under one of the small islands that dot the wetlands as they colle...

The Wetlands have presented a different habitat, and with that, some new birds to add to my list, such as the migrating rusty blackbirds that favour wet habitats. Another addition to that list presented itself on a dull October morning hidden among a group of mallards.  Groups of mallards are always worth looking at in a little more detail because their numbers occasionally hide other species. Another migratory bird. This male American wigeon was quite happy to dabble with the mallards, enjoying the advantage of safety in numbers. The American wigeon was not as comfortable with my company as the resident mallards. I again had to make use of a tree stump to hide behind for these photos, and thankfully, the sun broke through the clouds just at the right time. Another really overcast and dull morning in November saw two more male widgeons circling the wetlands in preparation for landing. Both males, in turn, displaying remarkable acrobatics as they cornered. The poor light did not ena...