Babies....

 

 

Lots of little ones...

 

 

Golden Mantled Ground Squirrels...

 

 

 

 

 

 

So much cuteness.

What's...

 

What's happening...

 

Oh, no...

 

Gosh, what are they doing...

 

I can't watch!

 

No, seriously, I can't watch!

 

Prayers they are not hurt.

 

 

 

Such an expressive little guy. 

 He had been watching two Red Squirrels fighting and then tumble out of the tree. 

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.

Happiness is...

 

Finding a peanut,

 

Eating it,

 

Giggling because it was so good!

Hello!

 

Hi!  I'm the Golden mantled-ground squirrel that you've met before.

  

I was thinking of showing you how I take a dust bath.

 



I like to stretch first.

 



 

A good stretch.

Then I start to roll.

 



 

Feels so good...

 

I could fall asleep.

A Day in the Life...

 

 

 I'm listening at the back door, think I hear her coming with seed.

 

 

Yep, sunflower seed, my favorite.



 

She feeds me separate from the other critters, feeling pretty special.

Yikes, she caught me eating with my mouth open.

 



 

Feeling full.

Time to take a dust bath.  It's fun.

 



 

And it feels good.

 

Time to take a look around the neighborhood.

 

Looks fine, did see an awful snake yesterday.  I hid.

 

Fresh greens, another favorite.

 

 

I'm eating something I don't recognize.  I am a Golden Mantled Ground Squirrel, this is what I do.

Please?

May I have this piece of lettuce, please?

But, it's for the rabbit.  You have your seeds and nuts.

But I like greens, too.

I think you mean grass, not lettuce.

Okay, maybe lettuce.

Well, I never.

Yep, you like lettuce.

A New Neighbor

Hello!

Don't be afraid...

You're being very brave, new to the neighborhood?

Never seen you before.

You've been hibernating all winter, no wonder I haven't seen you.

Soaking up the rays.

A golden mantled ground squirrel with his or her cheeks full.  Don't see them much here on the property, but this little one has taken up residence just outside the storeroom under the boulders.  Smaller than the regular squirrels and they have a beautiful golden tone to parts of their fur.