I mentioned previously that while we were in Colorado we had a magical experience watching a marmot family interacting. I have finally received the photo files from my brother that included this episode. Here for your delight is a selection of the many wonderful photos he took. Did I mention I covet his camera? I think I may have. I do.
First, we have Papa marmot, who is on sentinel duty. Many of the marmots we saw on this trip were shedding, or looked like they had mange, or had bare spots. This fellow is quite handsome, really in quite good coat. Life must be good at this rock pile.
Next we have a series of pictures of his mate and the kids. This was taken as the youngster was soliciting a snack from his mother.
After he had eaten, he got quite rambunctious. This shot was taken right before he pounced on his mother. Unfortunately, we did not get a shot of the cuffing and chase that ensued after he jumped her.
However, after things settled down, she proceeded to show him how to graze and what was edible.
He went off adventuring on his own, which caused Papa marmot to move his sentinel post down the rock pile about 50 feet. Then another youngster showed up to hang out with Mom. Seems to be saying, “I see you seeing me.”
We also saw a pica, very close up.
And there were elk out and about, antlers still in velvet.
A chipmunk finds a supply of calcium to augment its diet.
Back in camp, a very bold ground squirrel investigates the dinner pot.
Nope, nobody clapped the lid on the pot and made soup.
All I can say is, wow! These are amazing photos. I’ve never heard of marmots or picas.
these are magical! thanks for sharing.
Cute!
Those marmots look to me like rock-dwelling woodchucks. I can’t imagine how funny the pouncing must have been.
I didn’t know chipmunks would nibble on bones (though I knew squirrels do, so I should have figured). We found a rabbit’s back leg on our lawn the other day, along with the bare bones of another leg. The local hawk must have been dining in the cherry tree. If they hadn’t been quite stinky, and if we didn’t have lots of kids running around here, I would have left the legs out for the rodents. They went into the compost bin instead.
Henitsirk, the marmots are very close cousins of woodchucks. They are found at high altitude above timberline, and the major difference is the quantity of fur they have because of it. I don’t know if they could interbreed with woodchucks (which are also called ground hogs around here) or not.
I have a cow femur bone (very old and not stinky) that sits out by the fence for the squirrels and other little varmints to knaw on. I gave it to them when I took away my deer head, which was hanging above the gate. they had chewed a fairly substantial hole through one of his antlers, and I really didn’t want to lose it because it is so beautiful and symmetrical. so now it sits in a corner in my living room.