Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, July 11, 1914

While waiting for return of birds a commotion in the water attracts my ear.  Hear subdued splashings and circles of ripples.  Hear something swimming upstream.  All at once a black weasel comes out on back and shakes itself vigorously-I remain statuesque.  He glides upon log and scratch his belly by gliding up and down.  Another appears in still another.  The third evidently unwelcome for he is pursued by the first one.  Harsh squealing.  What must be female follows a little behind.  They wave a long and disappear.

Cautiously I advance to where I heard them last.  Come to bank a pause.  Finally one appears and scratch his belly as before.  Continues and then sees me.  A look half of curiosity and half fear comes into his beady eyes.  Glides into hole in bank.  A moment comes out and rear up on hind legs looks at me.  Fear overcomes him and he darts back in.  Mate comes and they both disappear.

Presently he comes out before and after looking at me slips out and proceed around the turn of the earth.  I heard him in grass and feel he is watching me.  Presently he returns to hole first staring hard at me.  Once again he goes out, and is soon followed by his mate.  As I hear them no more I consciously retreat.

Feel a buoyant sense of elation at the experience.

Charles E. Burchfield, July 18, 1914