This is an American mink, a harmful invasive species in Finland. It preys on the eggs of many water birds, which haven’t naturally evolved defenses against such a predator in the Finnish archipelago. To control its population, mink hunting is actively encouraged.
I took this photo in the Turku archipelago a couple of years ago. The mink was playing on the ice, rolling in the snow, climbing on the rocks, and diving into a hole it had made in the ice. Despite being an invasive species, it’s undeniably an adorable animal.

#Photography #WildlifePhotography #NaturePhotography #AmericanMink #Mink #Wildlife #Finland #BalticSea #ArchipelagoSea #TurkuArchipelago #Suomi #Itämeri #Saaristomeri #TurunSaaristo #Luontokuvaus #Valokuvaus

Kun ei tiedä milloin on kelejä seuraavan kerran. 23°C, SSW 3 m/s. #sinitaivas #saaristomeri #turunsaaristo