Disclaimer: I saw the chance to get two puns in the title and will not apologise for it.
The following is a brief account of a face to face meeting I experienced last year with a curious Stoat for a segment in a local magazine. This was genuinely one of my favorite moments I experienced in nature during 2021 so it was great for me to remember the experience and put into words to be printed. Stoats aren't always on the top of people's list to see, film or photograph but to be on the same level as this Mustelid and to witness their expressions and personality so closely, it was definitely a special moment for me.
I hope you enjoy the segment!
'This segment will hopefully and usually contain one of the favorite photos and wildlife encounters I have experienced in the last month around the East Devon area with the story behind that moment. Unfortunately, due to various isolations, a lack of luck, and unforeseen events; I have not been out with my camera as much as I would have liked however I have chosen one of my favorite photos from last January instead.
The encounter occurred while I was lying in a muddy ditch, photographing a pair of Dippers who were searching for breakfast amongst the rapids. While looking down my camera lens, a brown flash appeared in the corner of my eye. As my focus shifted from the Dippers to whether I imagined the movement in the overgrowth or not, my suspicions were quickly confirmed as a carefree stoat began bounding its way into the ditch and towards my camera lens. Moments before a collision with the end of my camera, the stoat stopped in its tracks (it was a relief, I didn’t want a Stoat’s face smudge on my lens!) before diving headfirst back into the brush alongside the bank of the ditch. Seconds later, the inquisitive mammal poked it’s head out to investigate the situation again, leading to this photo being taken.
One of my favorite jokes involves what the difference is between a Stoat and a Weasel. How one is W-easily recognized, and the other is Stoa-totally different. After this encounter with the curious stoat and a fortuitous meet with a family of Weasels last year, although the two are not that stoat-ally different, they are not Weasel-ily recognized either. Stoats are larger than Weasels which also have a black tip on the end of their tails. Weasels will scurry along the ground whereas stoats will bound and bounce as they move, but this isn’t as good of a punchline for the joke.'
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