Collage by B.Seeton
Marmots are related to the ground squirrel. They hibernate and are very social animals who communicate with a whistle sound especially when alarmed to notify each other of potential danger. They like rocky areas.
I learned from Wikipedia that these animals are also called woodchucks and groundhogs. They are covered with two coats of fur: a dense grey undercoat and a longer coat of banded guard hairs that gives the groundhog its distinctive “frosted” appearance.
Marmot - by B.Seeton
I stopped along the roadside about 20 miles from my cabin today and found a rocky hillside where the marmots flourish! I have always been intrigued by these critters, but never had the good fortune of being around them except for a quick glance here or there.
One of the young babies let me photograph without running off to hide. Momma marmot was not nearly so bold and neither were the siblings. But this little fellow was quite welcoming. He's missing his right ear. It looks like it's healing, but the wound is fairly fresh.
Marmot - by B. Seeton
Marmot - by B. Seeton
Pika - by B.Seeton
This little guy was on the rocks near the marmots. I saw him the next day too. He looks like a stuffed animal to me!
Mommy Marmot - by B.Seeton
I went back the next day and got to photograph the same marmot family and I saw the Pika again. I watched the mommy marmot even nurse her baby! It was like my very own nature show. Money can't buy the joy I get from seeing wild animals and getting to interact with them. The little baby without the ear let me take photos for over twenty minutes! I was about five feet away at times.
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