stoat, ermine, short tailed weasel

This photo doesn't really deserve it's own thread, but I don't see anywhere is to put it ... and I'm so happy to have photographed it

I was walking with my wife, 10 year old daughter, and 8 year old son thru a local, small nature preserve ... wondering why I even bothered to bring my long lens (they are not quiet). My son and I spotted this little guy at the same time, but I quickly disregarded it as a red squirrel. My son said, "what is that?" ... which caused me to look again. I nearly had a heart attack ... it's rare that I find a cool animal, and I've never seen one of these before. I thought it was a marten at first.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/QeiU​i9

They are more common than we think, so fast its hard to get a shot. I have not been very successful in getting that perfect shot. Great job

He will soon be stark white with that black tip tail.

That is a very nice shot Kris.

Wow,we have something very similar over here(looks identical)...UK,also goes white for winter,just known as a stoat here. A smaller similar mustelid also exists called simply a weasel: no black to tail stays red all year. They are equally elusive although i've been lucky to see them many times. It's a fabulous image for me very worthy of it's own thread,I'd be thrilled with this,although sure I'd want more

But that's the lot of a wildlife image maker,ya always want to better what you have,don't matter how much you have either !!

Kris, tis lovely, you should be thrilled cheers for sharing ,I adore mustelidae, it's a treat seeing this and also enlightening ,as I simply didn't know such a similar animal occured over there..............doe​s anyone know if this species above is native,to your part of the world?

cheers

stu

kmilo wrote in post #18735461
This photo doesn't really deserve it's own thread...

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/QeiU​i9 IMG_2484 by Kris Milo, on Flickr

Glad you did make a thread of its own. Otherwise I'd likely not have seen it. I can't keep up with those free for all threads.

Congrats on capturing the new species. It's always a thrill getting something new isn't it? Coincidentally after 18 years in Alaska I also captured my first mink images this past summer.

Sounds wrote in post #18737576
...does anyone know if this species above is native,to your part of the world?

Yes they are endemic to North America.