Like a streak of winter lightning, and just as rare a site, an Ermine appears from somewhere unseen.  This small member of the weasel-family seemingly flashes his snow white fur, and then just as fast he's gone.  An Ermine is a wild mini-version of the ferret sold in pet stores, but this weasel is a true hunter, and known for its ferocity.  In summer their fur is a tanned leather color, but winter in the Wild West of Wyoming turns their fur absolutely snow white, with a cute dipped in ink black tip to his tail.  They really are lightning quick hunters, and their main interest are the vole that live underground and under snow. 

     A vole, in case you don't know, is like a mole, but much more cute.  He's grey and fat with a short tail, and a much nicer appearance than a dirty old mole in the ground.  They live in colonies like small underground cities, and can number as many as 10,000 per acre.  So the Ermine has no shortage of food, he just needs to hunt, which is something he's very good at.  And to add insult to injury, the Ermine uses the fur to warm his nest; sounds kind of cozy.  

     Photographing an Ermine is another thing altogether, their quickness and rarity make them difficult wildlife photography subjects.  First you need to find one, but it helps if you know where to find a vole colony.  Wander the hillsides till you see many holes in the ground, hidden by sage and vegetation, then lots of patience and fast reactions with your camera.  Living in the Wind River Canyon like I do, all this is going on around us, if anyone cares to notice.  An Ermine will pop up in an unexpected instant, then just as quickly gone; did you get the picture?  My advice is to practice these "ready or not" shots on something a bit more predictable, like small children or birds.  

     This little Ermine has been seen and photographed around here for three years, yet these two photos are the best of the lot.  I worked them in black and white for a simple reason, it did justice to my subject; I also really enjoy photographing black and white portraits of children.  It gave this snow white Ermine a strong, stately appearance; the black and white added to his strength.  Notice if you will his cauliflower right ear, do you see it?  The black and white was worked in Adobe Lightroom 5.

Ermine - Wind River Canyon, WyomingErmine, The Weasel, in the Wind River Canyon, Wyoming. Ermine, "The Hunter", Wind River Canyon, WyomingErmine, a weasel, "The Hunter", Wind River Canyon, Wyoming. Keep your camera ready!