Well hello there....

[Debbie]

I wish I had a photo to share, but Eldon and I were sitting at our computers just a short while ago when Eldon called to me. I thought something was wrong, got up to come over and he told me the mink was there. He wasn't kidding, she was right there beside him, maybe 5 feet away She bounded around a bit, came back to Eldon and sat up on her hind haunches, front paws dangling to look him over better. Then pounce, bounce, bounce and she was across the dining area and bounding around the living room. She vanished behind the tv and couch.

I've double checked to ensure the towel is still firmly across the doorway to the boys' room and shut our own bedroom door. We also opened the front doors, just in case, but my bet is she lives in here with us and has no intentions of going outside. I'm pretty it's a she just from the size, if it's not one of this year's babies.

That's made my morning since Eldon hasn't had a chance to see one yet. Now he fully understands when I laughed at the idea of keeping one out. She's too tiny and slinky. I don't think there's any way to keep her out, let alone safely raise chicks, or have eggs to gather for that matter. That's okay by me. I prefer decent rodent control any day

[cutemangurdi1]

Well I hope you can get a picture next time Debbie. She sounds a confident little thing.

[Debbie]

A while after we spotted the mink, Eldon thought we should open up the doors in case she needed out. So we opened both doors, and propped the front door open so as not to slam on her should the wind change. We chatted and here she came again, much later. She zipped up from the sun room and bounded out the front door a few steps. She looked around, thought the view was nice and ducked back into the house. Neither of us had seen her even go down there! She's as fast as greased lightning.

We went about our day, but didn't see or hear her again, until almost bedtime. Eldon had already gone to bed and I was waiting to get sleepy, reading a book on the couch. I heard a small noise and then a startle and a tiny grrrr.. then more noises as she went into my corner where I store the horse equipment. I guess I surprised her on her way to bed. It's lovely to have a house mink again

[heathera]

That's so lovely Debbie. What colour is she?

[Debbie]

She's a beautiful deep reddish colour with an orangish bib and underbelly oh and a black tail tip at the very tip.

[Blackshadow Dales]

Wait...so we are talking about a mink inside your house/home? Just to be sure.....

[Debbie]

yes, an honest to goodness real wild mink. They're native to our farm and I've had them around in the barns and my house ever since we moved here last year. I think they might hibernate or something over winter, because I never saw them nor signs of their activity in the barns or house over winter.

Never fear, they really are wild, fat, sleek and sassy with bright eyes. They're very healthy, and full of their own agendas. I have a cat and coati, but the boys have their own bedroom and attached sunroom that the mink can't get into. I've no intentions of ever trying to touch one either! I'm not an idiot, she really is wild, but she's more than welcome to come and go and keep the rodents at bay. The house is tile flooring throughout and she really can't harm anything.

...editing to add, I'm not feeding them whatsoever. They're only coming in after things like voles or other rodents, or I think in this one's case, sheer curiosity.