Huntington Surprise

[htony]

I saw this little guy today at Huntington. It was coming straight for me and then saw me a darted to the rocks. I had a 200mm with a teleconv. so it was hard to catch it. Super cute though and I think its special to see them.

[kimberly]

Great shot! Aren't they fun to watch.

[htony]

Kimberly,

Do you seem them frequently at Huntington? I finally live close enough now to go regularly and would love to get another shot of them

[kimberly]

I would not say on a regular basis but in the morning is when I have seen them. Maybe an hour after sunrise.

Does anyone else have any tips on when is the best time to see them?

Good Luck.

[jckegley]

That is waaaaaay cool. That is a Mink right? I have never seen one. I occasionally see Otters in some of the places I go but never a Mink.

I am impressed. That is on my 'life list' of animals in the south to see. I always enjoy seeing different species from the south east. Thanks for sharing. I think you should go back and see if he/she comes out again for another photo!

[htony]

Actually, they show up at low tide fairly often I think. It really made my day saturday when I got to see it fishing. It went back and forth jumping in the water grabbing fish out of the rocks.

there are a few more shots of the mink here:

http://www.tonybrianhardee.com/webportfolio/v/Portfolio/otherfauna/

[htony]

http://www.tonybrianhardee.com/webportfolio/d/665-1/mink3.jpg

[fstop]

http://www.bear-tracker.com/mink.html

The above link gives a quick little explanation of why you are seeing the Mink at Huntington Beach Sate Park. I saw the tracks all over the beach at low tide on either side of the Causeway so there may be more. If not it's one busy little Mink.

;)

[jckegley]

You guys in the Myrtle area are blessed with Huntington (and the mink too). I am totally jealous!

[cameranut64]

I have seen the ink quite a few times in the last few months and it was usually around 7 - 10am. I have never seen more than one at a time.

The attached photo was from December 24th and I have more at www.terrysphoto.com in the photo album page in the "birds & other critters of SC)

Terry

[jckegley]

Thanks for sharing Terry! Again. Way cooool!

Hmmm... am I allowed to post on the Myrtle Beach forum, I live in Charlotte. Just thought of that, maybe I better behave and contain my enthusiasm for what Myrtle has to offer. That is sooo neat you guys have that opportunity to see and photograph a mink.

[htony]

The mink loving dubbed "Turnip" by my wife and I was out there again this morning @ 7:08am. At least I think its the same one

He crossed the causeway and caught a fish. After that he hid in the rocks. I guess he wasn't interested in being photographed today.

Here is another pic from last Sat. AM

[kimberly]

Thanks Sean for that interesting article on minks. If you have not read it, go up a few posts and click on Sean's link that he posted. I have also seen one down at the jetties. A little bit of a hike but well worth it!

[jckegley]

Interesting information Kim. Thoughout the whole thread I thought you guys were seeing the mink in the freshwater side of the causeway. Seeing one near the jetty is cool. I guess it doesn't matter for a mink....feshwater, saltwater... food is food.

Do the mink sightings go away when the weather gets warmer and the Alligators get out of their dormant stage? Or do you guys continue to see them during the spring and summer too? My otter sightings in areas with gators during the summer usually go down. I don't think the otters have become lunch, I think they are smart and stay out of sight more.

[kimberly]

Interesting information Kim. Thoughout the whole thread I thought you guys were seeing the mink in the freshwater side of the causeway. Seeing one near the jetty is cool. I guess it doesn't matter for a mink....feshwater, saltwater... food is food.

Do the mink sightings go away when the weather gets warmer and the Alligators get out of their dormant stage? Or do you guys continue to see them during the spring and summer too? My otter sightings in areas with gators during the summer usually go down. I don't think the otters have become lunch, I think they are smart and stay out of sight more.

This is the first year I have observed the mink so I can not say if the sightings go down in the summer. I am sure they will once the gators get up and moving. However, you may still find them at the jetties.

[dianacochranjohn]

How do you tell a Mink from an Otter? Is it just by size? I have seen otters everywhere lately..at least I think that is what I think...in the pond in front of MI PO, near our golf course in Island Green, and there is an illegal one under the boardwalk in the aviary at Brookgreen. Diana

[cameranut64]

How do you tell a Mink from an Otter? Is it just by size? I have seen otters everywhere lately..at least I think that is what I think...in the pond in front of MI PO, near our golf course in Island Green, and there is an illegal one under the boardwalk in the aviary at Brookgreen. Diana

Apparently the size and the white "Got Milk" on the chin.

Terry