Little Furries

Ever have one of those days… err, one of those weeks…err, one of those months that you can’t seem to get everything you want to get done actually done!?!  That is exactly my situation this month.  It seems like every time I get a few steps ahead, something happens and the next thing I’m looking at that previous advances from two leaps back.  I tell you this as a prelude to an apology.  Remember that whole epic month thing I was striving for?  Well, I have to save the rest of those for future months and go with some other topics.  The good news is I was able to spend yesterday birding with my brother.  We scored around 55 unique species for the day and at least 90% of them have proof in the tin.  Pretty much assured now there is enough blog fodder to take me into 2019.

With that, I better get to some posting (more pictures, less babbling) Today’s alternative feature are those cute furry critters that roam our country.  Let’s start with the cutest one of them all.

American Pika from Rocky Mountain National Park

This little furball was taken near the peaks of the Rocky Mountain National Park.  In case these are new to you, they are called Pikas.  They kind of look like a hamster on steroids.  It also happens to be one of the favorite photography subjects for our friends Dr. Giselle and David (note, I’m jealous they get to visit Yellowstone and take pictures of these cuties whenever they want!)

The next specimen is the Prairie Dog.  This happens to be one of those mammals that you love to watch and photograph in places OTHER than your property.  Wow, can these furries be destructive.  However, if you can get over that, they happen to be great fodder for the camera.  They are very social and naturally tend to provide excellent poses for the glass.

Prairie Dog

This one was taken at the Indianapolis Zoo in their Desert Biodome exhibit.

Hit the jump to see some more furries!

Next up a tiny squirrel.  Sorry, I have not had the time to look this particular species up, but it looks like a standard squirrel.. just smaller – maybe it is a juvi or perhaps a different species altogether.  If I get some free time I’ll try to look it up.  Until then just enjoy this shot of one hanging on the side of a pine tree out in Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota.  Note, that pine tree was rather large so don’t be fooled by how small the squirrel looked.  It was tiny, but bigger than a quarter ha!

Squirrel

UPDATE:  did some quick checking – I think this might be a very young Red Squirrel.

Now I know for a fact this next one is a Squirrel.  A Grey Squirrel to be exact.  This cuddly dude was doing a looking snacking up in the Wisconsin Dells.  I thought the composition was cute but admittedly this is one of those situations where the crop can completely change the feeling.  The tight crop gives a pleasant feel of  happy squirrel enjoying the sun and some nourishment.

Wisconsin Squirrel

Zoom out a bit and the level of cuteness drops a notch or two when you realize the source of that nourishment.  Who am I to judge, it isn’t like there is a lot of Squirrel friendly McDonalds in the area.

Wisconsin Dell's Squirrel

Now one of those furries that tend to get my blood boiling.  Like the Prairie, I enjoy watching them on OTHER people’s property.  At the moment, I have two of these currently wreaking havoc on my property.  They can’t just dig one hole.. nope, they have to have like 20 escape holes.  True to my tenets, I try to keep from purposely harming all creatures except for moles.  If these Chipmunks don’t get their act together they just might join that list.

Chipmunk

Granted… they are uber cute.

Chipmunk

Lastly, I bring you a ground squirrel. Again, not entirely sure, but I would go with a Uinta if beaten and forced to right bad checks.  This one was taken out in Yellowstone National Park some years ago.  These Squirrels are pretty docile and in some cases (like when this shot was taken), they will come right up to your picnic table for take out.

Prairie Dog

Maybe I should check the reference books to see if they are dangerous.  Cute and dangerous .. that is a lethal combination.  Well, that’s all I have for you tonight.  Again, apologies for having to deviate from the planned themes – promise I’ll make it up to you in July (or August, or September hehehehe)

 

 

 

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2 comments on “Little Furries

  1. Ron

    Hmm, that last one may be a Wyoming Ground Squirrel rather than a Uinta. It’s a hard call, and you may want to look this up. The Wyoming Ground Squirrel can carry bubonic plague, BTW, so that’s pretty damn dangerous. In fact, here’s a whole webpage devoted to how to kill them:

    http://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/natural-resources/managing-wyoming-ground-squirrels-6-505/

    You posted pics of Pikas before, from a zoo as I recall. That’s when I finally learned what “Pika” as an answer to crossword clues really meant. The baby Red Squirrel is way cute–perhaps too cute. Interestingly, the Prairie Dog photo really gives a 3D effect when you scroll down through it, particularly the first time!

    That Grey Squirrel is flagrantly disobeying that sign on the dumpster! They are out of control. As for Chipmunks, Isaac has helped control their numbers.

    Thanks for the squirrelly pics. Very cute rodents!

    Ron

  2. admin

    I didn’t even have a Wyoming Ground Squirrel in my field book for the region. I was able to look it up and I must say it looks almost exactly like a Uinta. For piece of mind I think I’ll go with Uinta for one very simple reason – the thought of bubonic plague scares the crap out of me! So guessing hand feeding these creatures may not be prudent!

    Glad I could add to your tool chest for crossword puzzle solving – personally I am not sure how you do that (and I know you do it with a pen).

    Any chance we can borrow Isaac for a weekend? He will likely come back a LOT heavier – how is he with MOLES?

    Thanks for taking the time to comment and sorry for being so late on the responses. Was focused on the getting the posts out and didn’t have time to get to all the comments until now.

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