As a starter, this mink is not in distress, no matter what it may look like from some of the photos.
It's Spring and I think it was a combination of cleaning out that Winter coat and a re-oiling process of its fur after swimming and fishing.
And what better way to get those unreachable places but to rub both topside & underside along an accommodating log, particularly when you have such short legs like the mink. From some of those expressions, I think it was a combination of feelings of relief and jubilation.
And those looks can range from "cuteness" to "look out - predator on the loose"!
PHOTO #1
Mink - North American"ABSOLUTE BLISS"
PHOTO #2
Mink - North American"GETTING ALL THOSE ITCHY SPOTS"
PHOTO #3
Mink - North American"SOMETIMES THOSE MINK ARMS JUST AREN'T LONG ENOUGH TO GET TO THOSE ITCHY PLACES"
PHOTO #4
Mink - North American"HOW TO GET TO THOSE UNDERBELLY PLACES"
PHOTO #5
Mink - North American"LYING DOWN ON THE JOB"
PHOTO #6
Mink - North American"A QUICK RESPITE"
PHOTO #7
Mink - North American"MINK SELF- MASSAGE FEELS SO GOOD!"