Despite their small size and adorable faces Pine Martens are quite the fierce predators.  It’s hard to believe that their diets consist of small mammals including squirrels and rodents, which aren’t much smaller than they are, and while they tend to be quite opportunistic with their feeding, they have taken down hares or marmots, so they are not to be messed with.  Pine Martens are quite territorial over “their space”, and will defend it against other males.

While this guy was quite curious and posed quite close to me, I have also had them run off immediately, or even growl at me from high up in the tree.  Trust me their growl sounds like they are much bigger than they are.

Despite this, I still they are just so cute, this one was especially cute with the different color of brown/tan fur on his face, normally when I have seen them in the past, they don’t have this much streaking on their face.

This image is copyright © Terri Shaddick, if you are interested in using or purchasing this image, or any other images on my site, contact Terri Shaddick at contact@wildelements.ca.

Taken: May 21, 2018
Location: Jasper, Alberta

Camera: Canon EOS 1DX Mark II
Lens: Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM
Focal Length: 400mm
Aperture: f/8
ISO: 12800
Exposure: 1/400