"WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBOURHOOD"

Mink (North American) - 5 Photos

So just after lunch and before the initial torrential rain shower (hmmm - it was supposed to be drizzle at 5:00 p.m.), this little mink ran downstream & into the cover of the rocks. Don't blink, there goes the mink!

Waited a few minutes, a little head appeared followed by that long body. I say "long" but even by mink standards this is a very small mink, so I'm assuming a young female born this Spring and on one of her first solo fishing expeditions.

And cautious is the right approach as these are probably some of her first interactions within a huge landscape, with potential predators in the air & on land. This area is part of the range of a family of coyotes, who also have youngsters out and about, exploring & honing their hunting skills.

And then just a couple of minutes (if that) of pausing, there was scooting along the shoreline, where she disappeared into the wetland and better cover.

Because of her diminutive size & manner of travelling, I've named her "Vespa" after the iconic Italian small scooter. Generally, minks turn up in the same location for a few weeks as they perfect their hunting patterns so hopefully Vespa will make another appearance and for a little longer this time.

PHOTO #1

PHOTO #2

PHOTO #3

PHOTO #4

PHOTO #5