I was beside the river a couple of days ago and glimpsed dark slipping movements out of the corner of my eye. The observer was being observed. A few moments later I was almost face to face with this little mink. Just an arm’s length away. We are, apparently, mutually curious creatures.
The mink slipped away into a crevice. “Come”, I said gently. And briefly, it returned.
I am always a little awed by these fleeting brushes with nature.
Of course some wild things are easily coaxed to your hand…
Ground squirrels in the British Columbia mountains. Someone has been ignoring the “Do not feed the wildlife” signs; they were very comfortable posing in front of the camera.
Our backyard chipmunk. Simultaneously bold and skittish.
And the birds. It’s hard to describe the feeling of an almost weightless chickadee perched so gently on your fingertips. A bit blissful.
All images © Karen McRae
draw and shoot 
I love your blog… thank you so much for doing it!! I always look forward to it’s arrival in my email!!
Oh, thank you so much! It’s a pleasure, really! 🙂
Great pictures! You’re so lucky to have those animals in your neighborhood 😀
Yes, I agree, they are wonderful little creatures. (The ground squirrels are not local, though)
Thank you.
So cute! Our chickadees would not be so brave. Maybe in time…
Oh yes, you can probably train them… 🙂
I was praying once on rocks beside the river and a mink had it’s front paws/feet up on my lap! Thankfully, I heard in my head, be calm, don’t move, don’t shout, open eyes and look down. They can be very very nasty animals, i’m very glad that I didn’t scream and have it fling itself into my face! hehe
I have read that minks can be vicious. It’s hard to image with those cute little faces! 🙂
How lovely and I completely understand how you feel and you will know that because you have followed my blog with it’s foxes, deer, squirrels etc.
Great photos Karen.
Thanks, Helen.
You must have been in sheer bliss with these encounters. huh?!!!! I am just by looking at your photos!
They are amazing little creatures! Thank you, Marina!
Oh so wonderful! Beautiful pictures, creatures and experiences!
Thanks very much, Elena!
Fun photographs! The last time I was in Canada I saw a Brown Squirrel..the kind with the ear tuffs. I’d not seen one before or since.
Yes, we have a great variety of squirrels here! 😀
Thanks, Allen.
“We are, apparently, mutually curious creatures.” I like this sentence. Photos are good, too !
Thank you, Pedro.
your posts are always inspiring, but this one particularly so. what sweet little friends you have.
Thank you, I appreciate that. I imagine you are familiar with ground squirrels. We don’t have them here.
I admire your post. I’ve not seen photos of live mink, 🙂 You’ve captured three aspects which intrigue me when it comes to wildlife and human interaction.
Thank you, it was the first time I’ve seen a mink close-up, too.
I love these shots, Karen. Nice to be living with these little critters. And an amazing catch of the little bird with its wings outstretched. Wonderful!
Lois, thank you. A bird in your hand is a cool thing! It always puts a smile on my face. 🙂
Hi Karen, these pictures are just incredible!! Absolutely gorgeous! I wish I could touch the scarfaced squirrel’s little chubby face, the pictures are so good that they feel that close!
The last one is also so beautiful, I love how you captured the bird’s wings movement so sharply! How do you do it? 😀
Thank you! The chipmunks are pretty adorable.
I take lots of pictures and hope some turn out! 😀
Awesome photos. Thank so much for share them.
My pleasure, thank you!
In deed they are lovely small animals. And your eyes follow them
in relaxed natural way —– no dramatization, no humanization = I like it.
Thank you, Yoshizen. 🙂
Love your shots! Have not seen a mink – wasn’t even sure if they were around! Love your cheeky chipmunk too! I spend hours trying to coax them out and feed them when visiting my dad – I am sure the neighbours think I am nuts….they are just so adorable!
Yes, I’ve never seen a mink up close before. They are very cute!
Thanks, Anita.
What beautiful captures! Just lovely. 🙂
Thanks so much.
I bet the only reason people thought/think mink coats are cool is because they never saw photos like that! Such a cute little guy.
Yes, the little mink is awfully, cute! 🙂
Very cool, Karen.
Thank you!
Such beautiful little creatures. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. 🙂
Great shots Karen. Those little critters are adorable. The last photo was fantastic. Awesome shot!
Thank you, Nareen. I do love those chickadees.
Aaargh!! Much cuteness!!! I just love to get close to animals in the wild like that..gives you a real sense of sharing the space..great shots! 🙂
Yes, much cuteness. Thanks, Cath! 😀
lovely
Thanks.
just stumbled on to your page Karen – and I have been enamored with all of your snap shots for 30 minutes now. I am a fan ! let me know when you have new posts – abrazos
Thank you for your very nice comment!
I appreciate it.
Nice to see the mink so close up.
Yes, it was!
oh wow! a bird in your hand. thats very very neat
It is a cool feeling, for sure.
Living in a fairly large city, I love and treasure these unexpected gifts (of brushes with nature). Great set of images, Karen!
Thank you, Ray!
What wonderful captures! Fab post 🙂
Glad you think so, Inga. thank you.
The curious mink is great.
Thank you, he was pretty cool!
That last image is so lovely! I would love to have that experience 🙂
The chickadees are pretty friendly if you have a handful of sunflower seeds. Thank you Marina.
Oh I just love the fat little cheeks on that chipmunk!
Yeah, they can fit in an awful lot!
Gorgeous! We got a pic of one of these in Scotland this May. We were so excited!
Thank you very much!
Love the chickadee _ so in focus and nice background!
Thank you, Carla! 🙂
The chickadee on the fingers is so amazing. What a beautiful moment captured on film.
It makes me smile every time I can tempt one onto my fingers! 😀
Thank you.
Wow, these shots are beautiful! More please!!
Thanks so much!
Wow…beautiful captures, Karen…and I can almost imagine the feeling of a little bird lighting on your hand for a snack. I rescued a hummingbird that flew into our house a few years ago and was thrilled to be holding such a delicate little creature in my hands…listening to him (?) squeak as his tiny heart beat against my skin…what a treasure….
Oooh, a hummingbird in the hand, how precious. Birds just amaze me in general…
Thank you , Scott.
It was precious, Karen…and I’m right there with being amazed by those little creatures…you’re very welcome. 🙂
Oh, I loved this blog… every shot was a bit of a happy surprise! Thanks so much for sharing these pictures!
I’m glad you enjoyed these creatures! Thank you very much.
How lovely to have the chickadee perched on your hand. Such a sweet bird 🙂
They are lovely and friendly little birds!
I fully understand your feeling about the birds, Karen. I love it! Beautiful shots of your little friends 🙂
Thank you. 🙂
Wow, how cool to have a bird land in your hand! Great photos!
Reminds me one some of Disney’s better cartoons. You are at one with your world. Thanks for taking us along 🙂