Today’s “Fun Friday” post comes from the roadside, on the way to the top of Mount Evans. As we neared the top, we ran across some Bighorn Sheep grazing on the side of the road. Pulling over, I photographed the sheep for a few minutes and then noticed an adult and 2 juvenile Yellow-bellied Marmots (Marmota flaviventris) just up the road. I walked across the road from the marmots (to keep from frightening them) and worked my way up the hill. Once I reached some large rocks, I made myself comfortable and began shooting.
The pair of juveniles heard my camera’s drive working and sat up and looked directly at me:
I didn’t hear anything, but I’m sure one of the youngsters must have said to the other, “Look, a photographer! Say Cheeeeeeese!”:
Yellow-bellied marmots are common at higher altitudes in the Colorado mountains. They are sometimes called by other, less familar common names, such as rockchuck, mountain marmot and Yellow-footed marmot. If you ever come across them in your travels, especially the juveniles, they are a “must see”! :o)