Migrants and Mink

Canada Geese at Lions Park Pond                © Diane B. Reed

Fall is winding down at Lions Park Pond. The Canada Geese have been hanging out for a few weeks, and the American Wigeons have arrived. A small flock of Wigeons will stay over for the winter, mingling with the resident Mallards. The geese come and go most of the winter, often fanning out to graze in the grass around the pond.

American Wigeons and Mallards mingle on the pond             © Diane B. Reed

There are few people at the pond these days. The weather has been blustery and changeable, with sun followed by ominous clouds, rain, and even a bit of graupel. Graupel are little pellets of snow (also known as soft hail). I always wondered what that grainy stinging snow was called until I heard the weatherman on our TV station explain that it is called graupel. You learn something new every day!

Mink heading for Garrison Creek                                      © Diane B. Reed

We've seen quite a bit of our muskrats this fall, but it's been a long time since we've spotted our resident mink. We were afraid he might have disappeared for good, but the other day we spied him walking along the sidewalk around the pond, dipping in and out of the water before he scurried over the bridge and headed up Garrison Creek.

Everyday we're thankful for the ever-changing panorama of nature outside our windows.