"WHERE THE TREE LINE ENDS, CATTAILS GROW"

Mink (North American) - 7 Photos

"You can find me down where the tree line ends and the cattails grow" is a line from the chorus of the song "Old Dirt Roads" sung by Owen Riegling and I thought what a great description of the hunting/fishing grounds of a mink.

Because of their appetite for fish, birds, bird eggs, etc., they generally can be found near bodies of waters, such as creeks, ponds, rivers and areas in and around marshes, hence the title.

This is the first of two blogs featuring this one particular mink, who made at least two trips to the same area in one day (one mid morning, the second - later in the afternoon).  As you will see from the photos below, this is a large & very healthy mink. I'm not certain whether he/she is still shedding a winter coat but I'm particularly fascinated by the thickness and length of his/her tail.

Anytime I can photograph a mink even for a few short minutes, is a gift but to have two opportunities for a longer period is extreme good fortune.

MID MORNING VISIT

PHOTO #1

PHOTO #2

PHOTO #3

PHOTO #4

LATE AFTERNOON VISIT

PHOTO #5

PHOTO #6

PHOTO #7