A crow family was hanging around - each perched in various spots. Some were on the fence which surrounds the dam area and others were in nearby tree branches. Still others were in flight.
A mallard rested on a concrete block while she watched her ten ducklings swimming the the water at the base of the dam.
A lovely sandpiper skittered about along the top of the slope in search of something to eat. There were also more ducks, gulls, sparrows and the occasional appearance of the kingfisher.
Suddenly, the gulls began screeching as only they can do. The adult crows were also kicking up an enormous fuss. Ducks at the top of the dam swam further into the lake and the sandpiper and kingfisher made themselves scarce.
Gulls and crows began dive-bombing an area of the water. I could see a vague shadow moving underneath the surface. I wondered what could have caused such a commotion in the avian community.. and then it surfaced...
The mink is a fierce little creature. Most of the birds in the area were good flyers and not likely at risk but that wasn't the case yet for the ducklings below the dam.
Last year, the mink briefly considered going after a raccoon kit in distress. As soon as it noticed me at that time, it reconsidered the risk and left almost immediately. I figured the same thing would happen as soon as he saw me this time but I was wrong. Perhaps he was particularly hungry. I'd been watching this set of ten ducklings grow for a few weeks by now and I didn't want the mink to get one of "my" babies.
The mink glanced at me and didn't back down. I kicked the fence in front of me to remind him that I was still far bigger and that he might be risking too much by going after one of the ducklings who were still swimming innocently in the water below. I envisioned him going into the water and grabbing one from underneath. I kicked the fence again.
He saw the ducklings and he was not to be deterred.
He made his way down the slope while crows and gulls continued their screaming. Mama duck began herding her wee ones and the mink disappeared underwater nearby. I didn't want to watch.
The crows had not taken their eyes off of him and I let them keep vigil for me.
I took my camera for a full circuit around the pond and returned to the spot about fifteen minutes later. All was calm. The mink was nowhere in sight.
Glancing down, I saw the ducklings on one of the concrete posts. I took a quick count. You can count them yourself, if you like. I'm sure you already have. I don't know what happened with the mink but all ten ducklings were safe and sound.
It was a bit of drama that turned out well for our feathered friends. Not so much for the mink. Still I felt honoured to have witnessed one of the many events which is played out in nature every day.
More photos in a few days.
62 comments:
Whew!
It's not easy being a duck! Maybe the mink caught a fish...do they eat fish?
cranky
Oh, terrific story well told through photos.
Well, everyone survived.
A stone well bounced a few feet from the mink might have given it reason to change its mind about things.
I love a story with a happy ending, but you had me worried there for a while.
I think the mink has the little ones and has to feed them, he needs some food.
whew! Thank goodness!
She's done well to rear that many ducklings. round here they seem to manage two or three out of a clutch of eggs.
A real life drama Hilary. Thanks for sharing - Dave
super pictures
well i am glad all is well that ends well...ha....you def got a little drama that day...glad the crows were on vigil...smiles.
Great pics and excellent coverage of a drama in nature. Also, that first crow pic is very Hitchcockian.
You had me worried for a minute. I did count those ducklings.Whew!! Nature does have its drama.
The circle of life is not always pretty..but you saved the day and also the cool pics!
Lucky ducks! That's a really nice shot of the crow.
Nice photo of the crow. We have a pair living around here and it's so hard to capture their shiny black beauty.
A mink! That is one thing I don't see here. Scary for the baby ducks.
You told this story so well, in both photos and words. I was on the edge of my seat. I'm glad it turned out well for the ducklings, but minks have to eat, too. Hopefully, the little guy found something to please his palate without horrifying those of us whose hearts are tender toward all living things.
Wow, this was a nail biter for sure. Whew! And I'm glad that you didn't have to view whatever else was on the menu for the mink. Great post and photos. Oma Linda
you know us so well - of course we counted as soon as that photo appeared. :) i did enjoy seeing the mink through your photos, though. :)
Unfortunately I was rooting for the mink. They are rarely seen and very shy! Great photos.
I thought I saw a mink yesterday!
It was a squirrel. I was embarrassed at myself for being so mistaken.
I DID count the babies before I read on! Being a wild animal parent must be harrowing.
well, I'm glad the little ducklings didn't get eaten but, poor mink, he has to eat too.
Holy drama! I did indeed do a head count on the last photo. The thing is, I sorta felt sorry for the mink because he needs to eat, too. But not the ducklings. Hope he found something else to soothe his hunger pangs; like maybe some rats if they eat those. Loved this story and how the avian community banded together.
While i'm glad the ducklings were safe, i hope the mink found a meal elsewhere, as sad as that was for some other creature.
I'd also rather the Circle of Life progress while I'm not watching. But, if I was there, I would have been kicking the fence and making a ruckus, too! Happy to count ten ducklings. And, yes, I had already counted them before I read on. ;) Excellent pictures!!
Counted those ducklings first thing, of course. Quite a story. So glad it ended well for the ducks. But...where's mama?
Every so often, crows rock!
Brilliant series Hilary. We get them as well, they are a dangerous animals. Ours is imported from USA.
I would have had a heart attack....for sure.
it's funny how we get attached to those ducklings we've watched grow from babies.
The ones here on the lake are just about as big as the Mamma, so sometimes I have to look closely.
Ha! I can just see you kicking the fence. I would have too! And hard!
Nice photos and good story-telling, with a happy ending. Perhaps the mink was satisfied with a fish instead.
Well, I am glad to hear the ducklings are alive and well. I just hope the mink found him/herself a meal too.
Great photos as always Hilary.
Yikes! The first thing I did was count those little cuties! So glad they made it!!
Great story and photos. You had me worried for a while. They certainly do get ducklings by coming up underneath them. He probably caught a nice fat fish . We don't think fish are adorable so no worries?
This post is such a treat, Hilary! That mink looks like a mini Patton! Or a dachshund! And those baby ducks--beautiful. Thanks, Hillary!
Such lovely shots!
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Ack! And then would you have stood post there all day long until the ducks can take off? You probably would, wouldn't you?
Sweet relief! I was quite worried for those ducks. Now to find something to settle my stomach -- it was rather tensed up when that mink showed up!
Oh be still my heart!!! Whew!
I have to say though...that mink was awesome! Don't see them too often.
Hugs
SueAnn
I was holding my breath!!
I love crows, they're rock stars and very loud
the mink is beautiful but I don't want him eating the duck babies
I could think of a few people he could have
You bet I counted them. What a bit of drama. Thank you.
These are wonderful photographs Hilary!
I especially love the second one here.
Hope you've had a great weekend!
Good creature collection!
Seeing is believing.
Thanks for sharing God's universe.
Beautiful photographs, inquisitive look at the nature. I am greeting
There were Canadian geese flying overhead on my way to the bus this morning. I thought of you and your camera.
Geese migrating. In August. *shudders*
Pearl
p.s. I would smile for days if I saw a mink in the wild...
Wow! Why did I think mink were vegetarians??? So glad the ducklings were safe that day!
I'm very glad that little stinker didn't get any of the babies!
You were very honoured to see this wild creature and able to take pictures. Great photos.
A mink! I haven't seen one in the wild before. Thanks for dropping by my new website. And for commenting on my blog. Yes, you are right. No comments for my new site. It is just going to sit there and look (hopefully) professional!
You get such amazing detail in your shots. The first one, of the crow, is stunning. Shininess of the feathers (do they have an oily coating, like a duck, or is that water, or...?) is particularly beautiful.
Glad to hear the ducklings were OK. Feel a little sorry for the hungry mink, though. Here's hoping he caught a fish or a frog or something.
next time, dont kick the fence, yell out that there's a furrier nearby and he's on the way over ... ;)
Whew, I was holding my breath.
I know it's survival of the fittest but I couldn't bear to watch either.
Yes, I did count them very first thing when I saw the ducklings...
You weave a wicked tale, I bet you photoshopped the finesse out of those images and inserted the villain where needed. Then again if that were true, you'd would have removed the dingy stuff and filtered the water.
Great series! I love happy endings.
I have never seen a mink, so beautiful. seems all life hunts something to continue living. So glad you did not have to witness a life being taken. thank you for sharing your adventure!
Yup, you are right I had already counted to make sure ten remained before I read your words. I didn't see a picture of the Mama duck though, was she OK?
In the first pics, the birds look almost fake! I've never seen a mink before. What a great find!
They are so cute! Glad the little darlings are safe.
Whew! I watched in horror while a little night heron swooped down and plucked a mallard baby. Stones thrown didn't help. :(
Relief!
Also, in my case, I've never seen a Mink before stopping here. I always learn something new from you, Hilary! :)
what fortuitous timing to catch all that drama!
I was so worried! We cared for a family of ducklings that got stranded after a storm--our Animal Control service wanted nothing to do with them--and after 5 months, only 3 of the original 10 reached maturity. The rest were picked off by a hawk, two raccoons, and several possums. It was heartbreaking.
A truly exciting encounter, glad that everyone was fine;))
xoxo
That series of pix with the kids splashing in the water with bennie is such a wonderful visual narrative. Nice work.
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