"M & M's"

Mink (North American) - Adult & 2 Juveniles

Another first for this photographer, not one but three minks.

The first mink (Momma) scampered across the rocks and then around the pond wall, a favourite route of hers before exiting and then dashing across a path to the huge pond on the other side. Normally, unless she is fishing, this is done at mink lightning speed but this time, she paused several times, including a stop to stretch down and check out the pond.

Now it was a matter of seeing of whether she would return the same way, so I walked back to the little pond. It could only have been a couple of minutes at most, when up from the creek from the other side, popped the second mink. I often joke that mink can blink once and disappear and blink again and re-appear a short distance away but when the third mink of the day ran towards the second mink, I knew these must be the first mink's two kits.

The first one to appear followed where its mother had gone, pausing where she had paused even to where it stretched down where she had. I believe this must have been the little kits' first fishing expedition out with their mother. How would they know where to go as their mother had long disappeared? No, they are not telepathic. That little mink was following its mother's scent trail which she had left as she paused periodically.

The second kit re-appeared having gone into the long grass and began fishing in the creek. Am not certain whether it was more independent by fishing on its own or less independent and didn't want to venture to far out in the big wide world.

Photo #2 is of the first kit that appeared. From its wide head & large nose and the attitude conveyed in that face, I thought it had to be a male and I named him "Big Boy".

Photo #3 is the second kit. It definitely has delicate and narrow features so I think it is a female. Her mother has created a "Mini Me"! I have named her "Little Girl" because of her smaller size.

Photo #1 is, of course, their mother. What a mink!

PHOTO #1 - "Momma Mink"

PHOTO #2 - "Big Boy"

PHOTO #3 - "Little Girl"