First Ever Mink(not coat) Encounter

[NorthernFocus]

For all the years we've lived in Alaska this was my first opportunity to photograph a mink. And this one was quite accommodating. We were paddling around in a double kayak at low tide. As we passed by a cleft the rocky shoreline I glanced up and saw a critter watching us go by. We carefully backed up and luckily he/she was still there. As a matter of fact he/she showed more curiosity than fear. We sat with the little guy for five minutes or more as it kept repositioning itself to see/smell us better. Which of course provided some photographic opportunity.

1)



2)



3)



4)

[Wavelength]

Perfect shots.... is mink herbivorous? any family connection to otter or mongoose?

[tbob]

Great shots Dan. I have never seen one, quite inquisitive fellow.

[Donald]

Wonderful images, Dan.

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for commenting, folks. Glad you enjoyed the images. It was interesting how tolerant he was considering they are typically very reclusive (which is why I've never seen one before).

.... is mink herbivorous? any family connection to otter or mongoose?

They are herbivorous. Until reading up on them after shooting this I didn't realize that they are semi aquatic and feed mostly on fish. They also eat blueberries and studies have shown that berry seeds that pass through their bowels germinate better than those straight off the bush. They are members of the weasel family related to otter, marten, and stoats but don't know about mongoose. I will say that I've seen mongoose before and when I first looked up and saw this guy face on that was the first thing that came to mind.

[wilgk]

These are truly beautiful indeed!
Both the animal & the images.

[Shadowman]

Nicely seen and captured.

[skitterbug]

Hi Dan - Beautiful pics of this mink.

We had a very young one a few winters back that was being nosy about our bird water, etc. We took a few pics just to be able to say we saw one but no spectacular pics like yours. I am glad the critter didn't stay around our home because as you found, mink like fish and he would have enjoyed our koi pond much more than we would have wanted him too!
Thanks for sharing these!

[Stagecoach]

Great set Dan.

[LePetomane]

Dan, very nice. I always enjoy your wildlife photos.

[Wandjina]

What a great series of photos! Well done

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for the additional comments everyone.

[pnodrog]

Your pink hat with the big red bow really caught it's attention...

Great effort.

[ST1]

Wonderful, well seen and captured.

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for commenting, gents.

Your pink hat with the big red bow really caught it's attention...

As well it should. Though I think it may have been eyeing the eggs in the robin's nest on my wife's hat