Saturday, June 6, was a perfectly beautiful day for the first tour.  The visitors seemed to enjoy "Shady Oaks" and asked lots of questions.  Living in a suburban yard that welcomes wildlife is still something of a novelty, though people do respond to the peaceful feeling that our setting invokes.  Yes, deer and raccoon numbers are too high, but then we see a fawn in the woodland.  I've always been a sucker for baby animals.  When it went back into cover, it looked like there may have been two resting together, twins.

White-tailed fawn

White-tailed fawn

White-tailed fawn

The other night, we had an opportunity to rescue some rather large goldfish, and we brought home four.  They seemed to adjust rather well to their new home.  

Rescued Goldfish

The next morning, I saw the mink diving into the pond.  We watched it for quite a while as it dove in and chased the fish. 

American Mink ready to dive

American Mink chasing fish

In and out, around the pond, calculating the best points of surprise sped this mink with amazing agility!  The mink kept changing it up to keep the fish on the move.  This happened several times through the afternoon. 

American Mink emerges

American Mink pokes his head out of a crevice

It was amazing to see this svelte and determined creature at home in its water world.  I could hear it panting, taking deep breaths as it plunged and hunted, but I never saw it actually catch a fish.  

American Mink emerges

American Mink prepares to dive

After the last try, the fish seemed to know it had left and came out from their hidey-holes to swim and play under the waterfall.

Phew...fish have survived the immediate threat