Male Lazuli Bunting Plus American Mink Family Photos

American Mink in early morning light

I started my morning off yesterday in the Wasatch Mountains photographing an American Mink family that appeared on the bank of a creek.  Pointing out the first mink that showed up was a challenge because it blended into the dark soil of the creek bank. After the first one showed up though they were easier to see.

Wet American Mink on the edge of a creek

As the family of minks moved south following the creek bank at times they showed up close to edge of the water which meant they were out in the open for a change.

American Mink diving into a creek

Some of them dove from the grassy bank into the cool water of the alpine creek. These mink move fast.

Two American Minks at the edge of a creek bank

I kept counting the minks as they appeared and was delighted at one point to get two of them in the same frame as they moved along the bank of the creek. That wasn’t easy to do.

Running American Mink

There were also times that the mink left the water and ran through the grasses at the top of the creek bank. Getting photos of the mink family out in the open then was a challenge.

American Mink moving down the bank of a creek

I had counted four minks in the family group then a fifth one appeared following the others as they moved south and away from the creek bank.

Nearly hidden American Mink

When the minks moved up the hill on the west side of the creek they were harder to see and photograph because of the vegetation and wildflowers that are growing there. I did get a few images of this mink where I could actually see its face.

Later on in the morning and several miles away I spotted another mink which meant my grand total for mink sightings six for the day. That is the highest number of wild mink I’ve ever seen in one day.

Male Lazuli Bunting taking a short break from foraging

After photographing the American Mink family at the first location I had some fun photographing a male Lazuli Bunting foraging and eating grass seeds. This beautiful male bunting was taking a short break from foraging when I photographed him. I liked the over the shoulder look I got from him plus the nice view of his back side.

Lazuli Bunting male perched on a curved branch

Then he flew to another branch that was out in the open that showed me his front side with his cinnamon colored breast that contrasts nicely from his whitish belly and sky blue head and upperparts.

Lazuli Bunting male reaching out for grass seeds

The male Lazuli Bunting perched on that branch so he could reach out to the seeds of the grass just below his bill in this photo. I liked the great look I got from him just before he grasped the seeds on the stalk of grass.

Photographing the American Mink family and this male Lazuli Bunting were the highlights of my morning in the Wasatch Mountains yesterday.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my American Mink photos plus facts and information about this species. Click here to see more of my Lazuli Bunting photos plus facts and information about this species.