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View Full Version : Marmots, Gophers, and Pikas, oh my!

coldclimb
Jul-28-2008, 08:31 AM
I took a walk this last weekend with my wife up to the snowline in the nearby mountains. Yes, there's a snowline, we got FRESH SNOW in the middle of July. :huh Lame. Along the way, we ran across various small mammals, and shot each one in turn. Enjoy!

A fern clings to the side of the creek.
http://morffed.com/climb/temp/julysnow01.jpg



Fresh snow peeking through the clouds around the nearby peaks.
http://morffed.com/climb/temp/julysnow04.jpg



And now we get down to the fur of the matter. This hoary marmot was very kind in posing for a whole bunch of shots.
http://morffed.com/climb/temp/julysnow05.jpg



http://morffed.com/climb/temp/julysnow08.jpg



http://morffed.com/climb/temp/julysnow09.jpg



http://morffed.com/climb/temp/julysnow10.jpg



Moving along, a while later we came across a few gophers, and one posed agreeably in front of the rocky entrance to a burrow.
http://morffed.com/climb/temp/julysnow12.jpg



Some more of the local scenery.
http://morffed.com/climb/temp/julysnow15.jpg



On the hike out, we ran across some much more elusive game in the form of the tiny chirping mouse-like Pikas, which would never be noticed at all if they didn't chirp loudly and regularly. These guys are hard to find. None of them were nearly as happy to pose and let me get close. Here's one peeking out at me.
http://morffed.com/climb/temp/julysnow16.jpg



A little more exposed.
http://morffed.com/climb/temp/julysnow17.jpg



Another peeking Pika. These guys are so small it's hard to get the autofocus to find them. :rofl
http://morffed.com/climb/temp/julysnow18.jpg



Here's another gopher who was happy to pose. Look at those claws!
http://morffed.com/climb/temp/julysnow19.jpg



And to wrap things up, here's some moss on a rock. :D
http://morffed.com/climb/temp/julysnow20.jpg
Gale
Jul-28-2008, 09:16 AM
Very nice shots
Cute critters for sure
IraRunyan
Jul-28-2008, 10:31 AM
Excelent photographs and a great presentation. :thumb
bfjr
Jul-28-2008, 12:20 PM
Nice seeing you hear on the 'Wildside" :D

Enjoy your work where ever you post :thumb
akmoose
Jul-28-2008, 01:30 PM
Really nice captures! :clap

The area looks familiar to me ...Hatcher Pass? :scratch

I spent about 12-hours weekend before last up there photographing Pika and had a blast doing it. If you settle into the boulder field they sometimes will come to you. Curious little creatures. :thumb
coldclimb
Jul-28-2008, 02:24 PM
Really nice captures! :clap

The area looks familiar to me ...Hatcher Pass? :scratch

I spent about 12-hours weekend before last up there photographing Pika and had a blast doing it. If you settle into the boulder field they sometimes will come to you. Curious little creatures. :thumb

Yup! Hatchers is where I call home. Did you get good pika shots? Those guys were skittish for me.

Thanks for viewing and posting everyone!
akmoose
Jul-28-2008, 03:19 PM
Hatcher Pass ...Cool!

I did get lucky and came up with this shot ...

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff114/tull777/pik_1320.jpg

The Pika I photograph are in a boulder field next to the road and I am sure that they are a little more tolerant of people being around them.

Again, really nice shots and thanks for sharing.
Awais Yaqub
Jul-28-2008, 03:31 PM
:clap Beautiful series !
coldclimb
Jul-28-2008, 05:07 PM
Hatcher Pass ...Cool!

I did get lucky and came up with this shot ...

Haha awesome! Mine weren't doing anything like that. Nice capture!

Thanks Awais!
KCBearcat
Jul-28-2008, 09:40 PM
Definitely cute critters and a nice presentation of them. :)
Matt S
Jul-29-2008, 04:39 PM
Nice marmot. That snow was a real bummer. I have not seen the pika in hatcher but I am not surprised they are there. I have photographed them in Denali, similar terrain. Might have to get out and shoot tonight. First time in a while I've seen that big orb in the sky.
dbaker1221
Jul-30-2008, 04:16 AM
:thumb some really nice shots:clap
coldclimb
Jul-30-2008, 05:10 PM
:thumb some really nice shots:clap

Thanks everyone! And yeah Matt, it's been more than a little cold and wet this summer. Global warming? :rofl:rofl
ian408
Aug-01-2008, 09:26 AM
Where's Harry? He's the expert on small furry creatures :lol3

Looks like you had a great time.
Maestro
Aug-01-2008, 07:49 PM
Very good work. I especially liked the marmots. Cute creatures they are! :thumb