Definitely not a Wordless Wednesday - Heron up-close and American Mink again!!!

My story began when I biked across the bridge towards the Terra Nova Natural Area. Looking to my left, a young heron was just across from the deck!

So close!

Not wanting to startle the heron and missing the opportunity to photograph it up-close, I parked my bike on the grass and slowly walked towards it.

Getting closer.

I made my way slowly towards the heron and photographed at all directions. It was aware and cautious of me in the beginning, but eventually it went on to what it was doing, and I was merely just about 2 meters away from it!

Throat scratching.


Looking up.


Way up!


Looking into the water.

While photographing the heron (not following the photo above), it was looking down into the water and I followed its glance and realized it was looking at an American mink (Mustela vison)! That was when I began photographing the heron, so I made no big movements or sounds about the mink, but I was cheering like crazy inside. I haven't seen a mink for such a long time now - the last time was about 1.5 years ago!

The mink slowly swam in the ditch below the heron and kept checking along the banks (for something).

The mink swam slowly away from the heron and I. I wonder when will be the next time I see and properly photograph this species...I hope soon.


After all the preening and scratching, the heron slowly dozed off. Time for me to continue with my bike ride too.


Red-flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum) in Sharing Farm. I only know this plant after watching the "Hummingbirds: Magic in the Air" program on PBS this Sunday. Fantastic program and channel that deserves our recognition and support!

Yellow-faced Bumblebee enjoying the sweet stuff!


A Dandelion Parachute Ball (or Dispersing Potential).


A handsome Northwestern Crow deserving some showtime too.


Tree trunk.


Golden-crowned Sparrow.

A Spotted Towhee was calling out annoyingly and loudly on someone's fence. I followed and tried to photograph it. Wouldn't it be cool to get this image in focus? Interesting hop.


Towhee came to a stop, but not as interesting now.

On the way back, heron was still there.

365 days ago (2009-03-24) ...
.