Hide and Peek

My second encounter with a pine marten was short but memorable. At first, my friend and I thought we had spotted a squirrel—just a fluffy tail sticking out from behind a tree trunk. But as we got a better look, we realized we’d stumbled upon one of North America’s more elusive mammals. We quickly grabbed our gear, hopped out of my truck, and while it scrambled around the tree, I managed to capture this playful moment as the curious marten peeked around the trunk to check us out. It’s not a species I actively search for, but every time I cross paths with one, it’s always a special experience.