"ACTION MINK"

Mink (North American) - 5 Photos

So if there was a Wildlife Olympics, this mink would be a strong contender for a gold medal in the standing long jump.

First there is the launch from a complete stop (Photo #1), to a full flight into air (Photo #2). And then the successful landing onto an elevated rock, front feet first (Photo #3), followed by the back feet (Photo #4). Finally "sticking the landing" (Photo #5). 

A routine truly worthy of a 10/10 from this judge.

For the mink, there was no time to waste for the podium. The only awards this mink was hoping for was fish so it was on to other prospects.

All minks have this "don't blink, there goes the mink" method of travelling but this one, in particular, was particularly erratic. Never taking a moment to pause long enough for the camera to focus. It was only when the mink was on a rock and began to set up for the jump that I managed to catch the action.

Because of the time of the year, I suspect this to be a young mink, born a couple of months ago and out fishing. And probably female in gender due to her size & cautious behaviour. She may look large from Photo #2 but having seen her briefly as she exited the water, she was quite small. Male minks generally are larger and have attitude, particularly those more than a year old. When I've seen a larger mink make repeated trips to a creek (sometimes two or three times in an afternoon), it's been a female catching fish to take back to her kits. 

So hopefully with her athletic abilities & cautiousness, a successful life awaits this youngster, perhaps having kits of her own in a year's time.

PHOTO #1

PHOTO #2

PHOTO #3

PHOTO #4

PHOTO #5