Breakfast for the Kits

Gallery: WildlifePosted February 14, 2011241 views6 comments

I just finished watching some amazing action on the ice in front of my home.

Earlier this winter a half dozen muskrats had holes in the ice and would come out to eat vegetation from the river bottom. The local mink would run from hole to hole, trying to capture a muskrat, but they would always disappear into the water just as the mink seemed certain to catch them.

Today the mink began digging into the top of a lodge approx. 100 yards in front of my office. I guess the warm temperatures we are having right now have softened things up a bit. After 10 minutes or so, she was successful in dragging an adult muskrat out of the lodge and after a fierce battle lasting approximately three minutes, the muskrat was dead.

The mink then proceeded to carry/drag the muskrat (which would weigh approx. twice its own weight) at a run, non-stop for 200 yards until it disappeared around a corner.

My excitement for the day. It's too bad the light was so flat and the day so dull, but you take what is offered, I guess.

Sorry for the lengthy story!

Nikon D300; Sigma 500 4.5; f6.3@1/640th; ISO 320; HH; approx. 40%FF.

All comments and suggestions most welcome.

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Gary Marquart on February 14, 2011 at 11:47 AM

A fantastic, probably once in a lifetime event to witness muchless photograph!!! What an extraordinary photo opportunity. I had the great fortune to witness and photograph up close two minks hunting rabbits along a trail a couple years ago and although I got some shots, I didn't get the shot of one with a small rabbit in it's mouth. If this was mine ( and I wish it was ) I would try to tone down the bright snow, and although it might be too far blown to bring down this is still a very nice unique behavior shot!

Registered on October 24, 2009, 126 Posts, 799 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on February 14, 2011 at 1:24 PM

Wow, what an amazing encounter to witness. At first I thought there was some cannibalization going on, based on the similar forms and size of the combatants.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Imprevento on February 14, 2011 at 3:27 PM

Thats pretty good excitement for a Monday! Same as what Gary commented about the snow, but after witnessing this and being able to capture the moment...The snows not that bad.

Registered on September 11, 2010, 29 Posts, 78 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on February 14, 2011 at 4:10 PM

Hey Tom,

Neat thing to see, very cool to capture it on your camera. I had a thought similar to Max's when I first looked at this: siblings playing or something of the sort. But what you have here is much more interesting than that! I'm in agreement that if you can tone down the snow it might be worth doing so, but some times you just have to go with what you've got and shoot away (and this definitely looks like one of those times).

Cheers...

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on February 14, 2011 at 11:30 PM

This is quite incredible Tom, what a sighting that must have been!

A real pity about the blown snow, but very understandable how that could have happened with these dark subjects on that white snow. Thanks for sharing and I wouldn't mind seeing more images of this spectacle.

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on February 17, 2011 at 8:26 PM

Wonderful catch, even if an "imperfect" image - a keeper, for sure.
A program like Viveza would damper the blown snow.
Sandy b

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments