We were walking the Confederation Trail at Morell during a nice day in April. As we were approaching the bridge that crosses the Morell River, I noticed something approach the river bank from the tree line on the other side of the river. As i noticed this creature get closer to the river's edge, it became clear that it was an American Mink.

American Mink: As we approached a bridge which crosses the Morell River, this American Mink appeared on the other bank.

The river was open, but there was still a good amount of ice and snow on the edge. The mink came right to the river's edge and proceeded to approach the bridge crossing, without noticing us. I ran ahead, camera in hand, expecting it to disappear quickly. To my luck, it stopped to take a look into the river, with perhaps thoughts of diving in. It soon continued it's journey under the bridge.

American Mink: The mink walked along the frozen river's edge.

On either side of the bridge there are large imported boulders that help maintain the bridge from wave and ice action. The mink disappeared into the many crevices between the rocks. I waited patiently for a few minutes and gave up, assuming the mink had taken off. I called back for Rosie to join me and we were talking about what we had just seen. We were trilled to see a mink. You can go for many river outings and not come across a mink. They are solitary and secretive. I turned the camera off and placed on the len's cap, as we were getting ready to proceed further on the trail. I happened to look on the other side of the bridge, and here he was again, even closer than before. I crouched down behind the hand rail that runs the length of the bridge and started snapping photos. The mink was scavaging, looking for anything the tide may have placed on the rocks. It was busy doing it's thing, while i was taking pictures. Occassionaly, it would stop it's investigating and look around. I realized that the camera clicking sound was being picked up by the mink. I thought that it was amusing that the mink was down there thinking "what is that clicking sound". Anyway, he moved on and continued his travels.

American Mink: American Mink.

After going into holes and peaking into opening between the rocks, he headed back to the river's edge. He stopped and looked into the water. One wonders if he "dreading the cold water", or just pearing into the water. A few moments later, the mink slid right into the water, like an otter would. Next thing I know, he is swimming past me to the other end of the bridge.

He was a strong swimmer. The Morell river is one of PEI's larger rivers and at the section we were at, the river is affected by tidal action. I noticed earlier, pieces of ice floating under the bridge, heading out to the bay. It was going at a fair pace. The mink seemed to swim directly without being affected by the tide. Our little furbearer keep his head up and swam right to the other shore, about 50-60 feet away. When the mink got to the other side, he gave a shake, and his fur looked as dry as it did before he got in the water. The sun gleamed off it's beautiful fur coat. I was amazed at how water resist it's fur was.

American Mink: American Mink swimming.

He quickly scampered up the shore on to the large rocks, looking for a meal. Unfortunately, the mink came up empty during the time we watched him. Shortly after he went further down the shoreline along the trail and slipped under the ice and was gone. It was a real treat to come across this.

American Mink: American Mink.