American Mink

Description:

What I believe to have been a young or female Mink

Habitat:

Flooded sloughs, roads and farm (corn) fields

Notes:

I came across this mink while driving down Co Hwy 15 heading to an area surrounded by flooded sloughs, roads and farm fields. It actually ran across the Co Hwy in front of me so I slowed down and let it pass before driving down another 2-3 miles to an area of the Co Hwy closed due to flooding. I park my car, got out and with rubbers on headed over to the flooded area of Co Hwy where I'd seen waterfowl previously. My attention was focused on birds and waterfowl so when I heard movement in the grasses and reeds near the road I paused with camera ready. I was shocked to see the mink I'd slowed for earlier come bounding down the Co Hwy directly towards where I stood. I was surrounded by flooding on all three sides and my only way of escape was directly in line with the oncoming Mink. Not sure what else to do, I stood my ground and kept shooting pictures of its approach. I think the mink was so focused on hunting or looking for prey, it was as shocked as I was to find itself so near. It stopped in its tracks about 7-8' away, took a sharp left, crossed the Co Hwy and headed back in the direction it came, stopping twice to turn back and look to...see if I was following or giving chase perhaps? It never made any sound and disappeared into the dense reeds only to pop up 20 minutes later when I was back in my car heading down a gravel road nearby. Again, I let it cross the road and slip into the corn field before driving away.