Be sure to check out this area carefully in the winter too. The mink leave neat tracks in the snow. They also eat muskrats and fish. They are so agressive.
Thanks David! When I was looking at tracks across the snow last winter I wasn't even thinking of mink, but this year I will be! I can't believe they can eat a muskrat!!
How can you tell a mink from a weasel or a ferret or a marten? LOL. I've never seen any of these critters wandering around in nature. Wow, that's a huge snake!
When I looked it up, it looks like the easiest way is size. Mink are about twice as big as weasels and also a lot bigger than ferrets. I don't think we have marten's here (had to look that up, hadn't heard of a marten). The mink also has that white patch where a weasel is entirely white underneath. I don't think I've ever seen a weasel, ferret or marten (except ferrets as pets).
How terrific to have our Ace nature photographer on the spot to capture a mink bringing home the bacon ... or huge water snake in this case! Your full narrative is what brings it all home for us! Great work!
This is one of the best ever. The mink and the snake series was amazing. When we lived in Botswana, we had a mongoose family who lived in our backyard under a pile of eucalyptus branches and we watched them every morning from our kitchen. But I had no idea that minks will go after snakes. Was it a bull snake.
I see minks here a couple times a year and river otters playing in the white water, but last week, I had to stop when one ran across the road in front of me. He was a big boy.
Thanks so much for your persistent pursuit of the wild and beautiful.
I just thought of another otter experience I shared with my son while fishing in a little mountain pond. I was mostly watching my son as he caught and released one trout after another. Suddenly an otter appeared across the pond from us, slid into the water, and almost immediately climbed back onto the shore with a big trout in his mouth. We stopped to watch and listen. We could hear as he bit into cartilage, flesh, and entrails. The otter was very thorough and left nothing to waste.
Thank you Twitter. I think it was a northern water snake, that is the most common snake around here. It was cold, I'd guess the poor snake was sleeping under a rock! And otters are huge - I swear they are just one big muscle.
What a treat! For both you and the mink!
Yes!
That mink!!
:) Thank you Cheryl
Wow! That must have super powers!! Incredible!
Thank you Jodie
Find the muskrat trails and the mink will follow
Well I will be looking for them! I have rarely seen a muskrat in this lake. Beavers, otters, and now mink, but I can't remember seeing a muskrat.
Extraordinary work Karen! Congratulations!
Be sure to check out this area carefully in the winter too. The mink leave neat tracks in the snow. They also eat muskrats and fish. They are so agressive.
Thanks David! When I was looking at tracks across the snow last winter I wasn't even thinking of mink, but this year I will be! I can't believe they can eat a muskrat!!
You probably have them nearby. The mink will range for miles to find them though. I discussed my knowledge of the muskrat and shot a video of a muskrat here if you’ve never seen one. It’s in a video. https://open.substack.com/pub/davidwzoll/p/spring-walk-0e0?r=3a09av&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Thanks David. I have seen them at my neighborhood pond, I just haven’t seen them at the lake. Kind of odd really, they are common here.
These mink shots are amazing!
Thank you Kelton!
How can you tell a mink from a weasel or a ferret or a marten? LOL. I've never seen any of these critters wandering around in nature. Wow, that's a huge snake!
When I looked it up, it looks like the easiest way is size. Mink are about twice as big as weasels and also a lot bigger than ferrets. I don't think we have marten's here (had to look that up, hadn't heard of a marten). The mink also has that white patch where a weasel is entirely white underneath. I don't think I've ever seen a weasel, ferret or marten (except ferrets as pets).
Great photography, Karen!
Thank you Jeffrey!
did you look up the spiritual meaning of 'mink'? that is often super illuminating to do! and an added bonus to such a truly epic experience. Thanks for sharing it with us. I started the process a bit in case you are interested: https://bogsofohio.wordpress.com/2011/08/16/327-a-mink-crossed-my-path-today/#:~:text=Mink%20aids%20in%20understanding%20the,of%20personal%20space%20for%20contemplation.
https://www.astrology.com/spiritual-meaning-animals/mink
https://truespiritanimal.com/mink-symbolism-and-meaning/
I did that today and found it very interesting. Thanks Susi!
cool. I added some links before I saw your repsonse, in case you didn't see it. We were on at the same time, I think!
Thank for doing that!
Unbelievable, the photos of a mink capturing a water snake.
Thanks Janisse!
How terrific to have our Ace nature photographer on the spot to capture a mink bringing home the bacon ... or huge water snake in this case! Your full narrative is what brings it all home for us! Great work!
Thank you Sandy
This is one of the best ever. The mink and the snake series was amazing. When we lived in Botswana, we had a mongoose family who lived in our backyard under a pile of eucalyptus branches and we watched them every morning from our kitchen. But I had no idea that minks will go after snakes. Was it a bull snake.
I see minks here a couple times a year and river otters playing in the white water, but last week, I had to stop when one ran across the road in front of me. He was a big boy.
Thanks so much for your persistent pursuit of the wild and beautiful.
I just thought of another otter experience I shared with my son while fishing in a little mountain pond. I was mostly watching my son as he caught and released one trout after another. Suddenly an otter appeared across the pond from us, slid into the water, and almost immediately climbed back onto the shore with a big trout in his mouth. We stopped to watch and listen. We could hear as he bit into cartilage, flesh, and entrails. The otter was very thorough and left nothing to waste.
Thank you Twitter. I think it was a northern water snake, that is the most common snake around here. It was cold, I'd guess the poor snake was sleeping under a rock! And otters are huge - I swear they are just one big muscle.
One big container of joy! When I watch them playing in whitewater, I have no doubt that they do it purely for the thrill.
Wow! What a cool story! Thank you for sharing this!
Thank you Katie
Wow, what a cool experience. 💕
Thank you Sue
What an amazing experience! Mink are so cute - and fierce! 🤣
Thank you Sydney
That is an absolutely epic find. Nice work!!!
Thank you Kelly