Unacceptable Rypstra
291 (4) (WS) Still Assessing
The same mink, moments later.
My oldest son initially spotted 'him' among the rocks. We waited twenty minutes for 'him' to reappear in peek-a-boo shots that were too distant to be any good.
When a passing dog walker scared it back into hiding, I used the opportunity to move closer and on an angle, so the wind would hopefully blow my scent behind the rocks. Another 1/2 hr or so later, it reappeared, much to my delight. What a time for my card to suddenly fill! As I was scrambling to delete some older shots, 'he' displayed no concern with my presence and came out into fuller view. I then managed a couple handful of shots before another dog walker came by.
Definitely a spot to revisit. Upon closer inspection the other day, it may be a den site we happened upon...for there appear to be many entrances into the hillside behind the rocks at this location.
After doing some research, I have discovered that though it is not uncommon for the American Mink to have white markings on the chin, white markings on the chest indicate that it, or a recent ancestor, was a captive bred. The extra white markings usually breed out after a few generations in the wild.
Please don't use this image on websites, blogs, etc. without my permission.
291 (4) (WS) Still Assessing
The same mink, moments later.
My oldest son initially spotted 'him' among the rocks. We waited twenty minutes for 'him' to reappear in peek-a-boo shots that were too distant to be any good.
When a passing dog walker scared it back into hiding, I used the opportunity to move closer and on an angle, so the wind would hopefully blow my scent behind the rocks. Another 1/2 hr or so later, it reappeared, much to my delight. What a time for my card to suddenly fill! As I was scrambling to delete some older shots, 'he' displayed no concern with my presence and came out into fuller view. I then managed a couple handful of shots before another dog walker came by.
Definitely a spot to revisit. Upon closer inspection the other day, it may be a den site we happened upon...for there appear to be many entrances into the hillside behind the rocks at this location.
After doing some research, I have discovered that though it is not uncommon for the American Mink to have white markings on the chin, white markings on the chest indicate that it, or a recent ancestor, was a captive bred. The extra white markings usually breed out after a few generations in the wild.
Please don't use this image on websites, blogs, etc. without my permission.