The Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrels

 

This Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel I recognize from last year since he has an unusual white mark on the top of his head.  They can hibernate for up to 9 months but with the warm weather they have all come out early.

 

They are smaller than the tree Squirrels, but much large than Chipmunks.  I love watching them since they are far more curious, expressive and friendly.

 

They eat seed, but love greens and carrots...

 

 

and fruit.

 

Is that not the cutest face ever.

 

Peaceful day for the Bighorns as I drove up the driveway to seeing them lounging.

Big Horn Sheep

I was able to take some photos of a herd of about sixteen Big Horn Sheep yesterday that were lounging in the sun...a little lamb.

 



 

 About thirty from a herd near the Park have died after contracting pneumonia from domestic sheep. I was extremely happy to see how healthy this herd looked.   

A little one with an itch.

 



 

Always thought what a privilege I have to interact with such wildlife.

 

She hears the click of the camera.

 

Enjoying a stretch...there are actually three sheep in this photo.

Smiling...

 

The little one seems to be smiling like he knows the worst of the weather is behind us. 

 

A herd of Big Horns, mostly females, who look very pregnant, have been grazing behind the house the last week or so. 

 

I think I counted four lambs in this small herd.

 

 

Makes my heart glad to see them all looking so healthy.

A Ewe and an Elk

 

This Ewe spent all afternoon pushing away the snow to get to the dirt and minerals.

 

She's the one that broke off her horn last year. 

 



 

Hmmm...crowd coming, never seen elk and sheep together.

 

One is curious.

Don't turn around and she'll go away.



 

Well, maybe not.

 

 

She is bigger.

 

 

And now she's yelling at you.

 

The ewe was brave and came back and the elk came from a different direction.

 

Try ignoring her.

 

The elk circled her.

 

 

And ran her off.

 

What a look!

 

After the cow elk left, two little ones were fighting over the spot.

 

I spent hours watching them from the living room window, my first for witnessing the interaction between the Big Horn Sheep and Elk.

 

I watched one lone elk following far behind the herd, making her way as best she could with a broken leg.  Such struggles they endure.

 

Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature, it will never fail you.

Frank LLoyd Wright

A Lamb and a Winner

I adore these animals!

Thank you so much for all the nice comments, was fun to read.

 

The winner of the subscription is Annie of Scrappalachia.  Annie, if you will email me with your mailing address and let me know if this is a new subscription or an extension so I can let the ladies at the Primitives magazine get it started for you.  Enjoy!

 

Wildlife Today



A warming trend to 10 degrees allowed me get outside today to take pictures of the wildlife.  How could I not venture out and take pictures of these beautiful creatures.  I am very close to the house.  I know, stay safe.

I Had Company Today

Notice her eyeballs and the slits, she's really focused on me.  I'm really pretty far away, up on the ridge next to the house looking down to the meadow.  Me and my cane have a limited distance.

That's because she's watching out for this little one.

He's searching for love or in this case chasing it.

She's the one from last year that had broken off her horn in a fight, I guess.  Notice her tongue.

A little lamb, can you see his itty bitty horn?

The Big Horn Sheep are Back

 All the pictures are slightly fuzzy since they are taken from the living room window.  I could have dragged myself and my metal hardware outside but I didn't want to scare the herd.  I think this little one may be a the newest lamb.

That's him sticking close to Mom. 



 She's still wearing that Folger's coffee can around her neck.  All these collars are the ones the biologists put around their necks last year to monitor them for pneumonia. The lambs have tags in their ears. 

 A rainbow of colored collars.

 So glad to see them looking so healthy. 

 I counted a dozen in this herd.

The littlest one.  He was wondering around as if he's getting use to the property or just trying to fit in.

He's so darn cute.