"SNEAK A PEAK"

Long Tailed Weasel (3 Photos)

NOTE: Some individuals may find the following somewhat disturbing. 

It was the growl that first alerted me. l thought I finally might have an opportunity to catch a shot of that elusive Bobcat. A few steps in and I still couldn't really see what was. All that was visible was a jack rabbit (I believe) moving back and forth. Then it finally became apparent. (Photo #1) Check out just above the rabbit's head. There is a partial white head and a small pink ear.

There was a short tailed weasel with a rabbit. I am not certain if the rabbit was already deceased or whether it had been previously injured and then grabbed by the weasel. It didn't matter. There was the weasel with its kill and very "lion like" in its demeanor. (Photo #2)

If I hadn't been rendered speechless by now, the next few minutes left me in total awe of such a small but determined and masterful predator. The weasel with its teeth, dragged the rabbit through the snow into the meadow and up the hill. Keep in mind this meadow is full of grasses and shrubs and covered in a few inches of snow and uphill. No small feat for any creature. (Photo #3)  I lost sight of it after 20 metres in the flat light.

Weasels are certainly cute but their prowess as a predator in relation to their size is simply astounding. On a scale of 1 to 10, (10 being the highest) they have gone from an 8 to a 10 in my admiration.

PHOTO #1

PHOTO #2

PHOTO #3