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