A stinking polecat - fitch fur

This European polecat, had been killed on the road so I collected it to try and identify and perhaps do some taxidermy - ha!  I nearly died driving the car home for it has the malodorous  foetid stink from its rear glands which is used to deter predators and mark its territory.  It is a nocturnal carnivorous mammal of the weasel family  which  is closer to the dog than the cat family.  It lives in wooded areas. and although similar to weasels, it is much larger and with longer fur,.  This one was nearly 2 ft (60 cm) long, including the 6-in. (15-cm) tail. The fur, sold under the name fitch was much used in the early 19th century' It is dark brown above, with yellow patches on the ears and face. The belly, feet, and tail are nearly black. They feed on small animals and eggs and are quite destructive to poultry and small game.  This is the first one I have seen and having asked many Dorset country people about it they tell me they have never seen one alive except in a trap.  (Possibly suitable for Derelict Sunday - thanks Marlieske.)

Before I found the polecat I wanted to show you 4  geese on a green lake (weed) which is the extra.  They are mourning the loss of the single gosling to a badger which was able to barge amongst them and grab the gosling despite their valiant efforts of pecking and flapping wings