Non-Avian Guest: Short-tailed Weasel

This is another occasional non-bird guest appearance on my site. Although it is referred to here in Massachusetts as the Short-tailed Weasel, it is more commonly known as the Stoat or Ermine in most of its worldwide range. These small predators, less that 12 inches (30cm) long, are found throughout Eurasia, Greenland and northern North America. I was walking along a road near a pond while looking for birds to photograph. This little guy walked out of the undergrowth, crossed the road in front of me and stopped to look at what I was doing. Maybe he was impressed by my long lens.