American Mink with Rat

[John H]

I was standing next to the creek this morning listening and watching and hoping a bird would land in front of me on a nice perch so I could get a sweet photo. I was still and quiet and wearing camo and drab clothing when a mink with a rat in his mouth walked along the bank from upstream and stopped about 10 feet from me. He was surprised to see me and stood for a few seconds trying to figure me out which gave me the chance for a photo. He then slipped into the creek and swam off downstream to his den to enjoy his tasty rat. Maybe there are some baby minks in the den he needs to feed. Who knows what his story is. It takes more patience than I usually have but if you stand still for a while sometimes things happen right in front of you. I also saw a muskrat and an ash throathed flycatcher. Good photography day. Maybe next time I will mix in some fishing.

http://i.imgur.com/Ghsd6Da.jpg (https://imgur.com/Ghsd6Da)

http://i.imgur.com/UeiOAsU.jpg (https://imgur.com/UeiOAsU)

http://i.imgur.com/g30uPSe.jpg (https://imgur.com/g30uPSe)

http://i.imgur.com/xfjYs74.jpg (https://imgur.com/xfjYs74)

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Those little mink are rare to see.

It is amazing how much wildlife we still have.

Nice John

[cutthroat22]

"Those little mink are rare to see."

And even harder to photograph. Nice shots!

[Vaughn Willett]

Nice work, John! I sometimes see mink in the Delta, running along on the rip rap, but they are not close and they move quick, so I never have a chance to get a real good look at them--great to have a photo to take time to study. What an amazing little predator!

I enjoyed your pics from the canoe trip, as well. Good stuff!

Vaughn