Maynes Grove is a well maintained Franklin Co. park 5 miles south of Hampton on Hwy.65. A network of wide trails snake through diverse habitats. Whenever I am in the area I like to check it out. This morning during an hour walk:
Am. Bittern Ovenbird FOY Yellow Warbler FOY Swainson's Thrushes 2 Very quiet for this time of year at this park - except for this memorable close encounter: While scanning grasslands and the creek from a hillside a mink appeared and paused in heavy grass below. With the wind in my face and the sun to my back I hoped for a good photo opportunity. Moments later it began moving in my direction quickly closing the distant gap between us. Soon it was too close for my lens, only 6 feet away. As it was about to pass by only a foot or two away it suddenly turned and jumped onto my boot! My knee jerk reaction sent it tumbling and scurrying away. Questions remain: What does a standing human in blue jeans and a flannel shirt look like to a mink? Do my feet smell that good? Why bother to travel with the wind 40-50 yards uphill towards the woodland? If I was standing on a travel trail it was quite faint and the musky smell probably was from being "mink oiled" by the surprised mink. I guess I am leaving myself open for wisecracks and additional mink knowledge. Birding can be memorable even when it is slow. Tom Schilke - Waterloo --- Please contribute your sightings to our list; it is only as good as members make it! --- Birding channel recommendation for FRS/GMRS radio use: Primary selection; channel 5/0 , alternate selection; channel 6/0 --- This mailing list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union. Membership available on-line at http://www.iowabirds.org/iou/membership.asp. ----- You are currently subscribed to ia-bird as: [email protected]
