Yosemite_Squirrels_Marmot

The Rodent page has comical images and portraits of Ground Squirrels at Mirror Lake,
Glacier Point and Washburn Point, Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrels from Taft Point, and a
Yellow-Bellied Marmot encountered at Olmsted Point above Tenaya Canyon on the Tioga Road.

Click an image to open a larger version.
Use your back button to return to this page.

Yosemite Section Index
 

Yosemite Select

Yosemite Valley
Valley Views
Yosemite Assorted
Mirror Lake
Rivers and Creeks

Waterfalls
Yosemite Falls

Yosemite Rim
Glacier Point and Washburn Point
Taft Point

Yosemite Wildlife
Deer and Birds
Squirrel and Marmot

Yosemite Plant Life
Mariposa Grove
Sequoia National Park
Assorted Plant Life

Bodie Ghost Town
Mono Lake
Mariposa

A 75 image Overview of the Yosemite Portfolio

An Overview page with sample images from the following pages:
Discovery View (Wawona Tunnel View) and Valley View
El Capitan, Half Dome, Cathedral Rocks, and other Scenery
The exquisitely beautiful Mirror Lake in Tenaya Canyon
The Merced River, Tenaya Creek, Yosemite Creek and more

Bridalveil, Vernal and Nevada Falls, and selected images of Yosemite Falls
Detail shots, vignettes and scenic images of Yosemite’s signature waterfall

An Overview page with sample images from the following pages:
Yosemite National Park’s two most famous rim views
Taft Point Fissures and spectacular views from 3000’ over Yosemite Valley

An Overview page with sample images from the following pages:
Mule Deer in the Valley meadows, Hummingbirds, Steller’s Jays, etc.
Golden-Mantled Squirrels, Ground Squirrels and a Tioga Pass Marmot

An Overview page with sample images from the following pages:
Images from the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Images from nearby Sequoia and King’s Canyon National Parks
Lupines, Dogwood, Snow Plants, Thistle, Forest Moss and Lichen

50 images of the gold mining boom town north of Mono Lake
A highly saline lake in the Eastern Sierras with otherworldly scenery
A Cigar Store Indian, a Thunderbird Totem, and antique Farm Machinery

Sunburst3

Images in this section are in a number of different Galleries on the Photoshelter website.
The Banner below leads to the Yosemite Collection page where a Gallery can be selected.

PhotoshelterGallerySection


There are 15 Galleries in the Photoshelter Yosemite Collection

For convenience, Galleries containing the images of Wildlife, Plants,
Sequoia National Park, Bodie Ghost Town, Mono Lake and Mariposa
have been copied to the Yosemite Collection from their normal locations.

Sunburst3
Ground_Squirrel_Full_Cheeks_Mirror_Lake_2431


Ground Squirrel Full Cheeks Mirror Lake 2431
(299 KB)

A California Ground Squirrel with his cheeks filled with nuts inspects the passing
hikers while perched on the narrow ridge of a boulder near Mirror Lake in March. He
had just come out of his burrow (possibly for the first time, as Spring comes in May).

The California Ground Squirrel is a medium-sized squirrel (the small ones with striped backs
 and faces are Chipmunks, and large ones like the one at the bottom of the page are Marmots).
Prairie Dogs are also in the Ground Squirrel family (you may want to visit the Prairie Dog page).

Ground_Squirrel_Mirror_Lake_2449


Ground Squirrel Mirror Lake 2449
(405 KB)

Encountered in late March, when squirrel activities outside of the burrows begin ramping up as spring approaches, he was obviously comfortable with the presence of people.

Ground_Squirrel_Full_Cheeks_Mirror_Lake_2433


Ground Squirrel Full Cheeks Mirror Lake 2433
(328 KB)

This little fellow seemed to be coming up with a lot of nuts, and he was packing them away in his cheeks to carry them back to his burrow for later consumption.

Ground_Squirrel_Full_Cheeks_Mirror_Lake_2437


Ground Squirrel Full Cheeks Mirror Lake 2437
(325 KB)

He became more comical looking with each passing moment. After a while we began to wonder where he was coming up with these obviously processed almonds.

Ground_Squirrel_Full_Cheeks_Mirror_Lake_2436c


Ground Squirrel Full Cheeks Mirror Lake 2436c
(320 KB)

A detail crop of our Ground Squirrel friend from a shot framed similar to the full frame shown at left. He would pack these in, dart away for a little while, then return with a couple of nuts. Later, he came back with his cheeks emptied after he had deposited his cache in his burrow (see images below).

Mirror_Lake_Squirrel_Caught_in_the_Act_2795


Mirror Lake Squirrel Caught in the Act 2795
(405 KB)

Aha! So this is where you were coming up with all of those nuts...

This little guy had found a baggie of nuts in the front pocket of a pack,
and with a well-rehearsed opportunistic technique tore open a corner
of the bag and made off with some. Not satisfied with the nuts stored
in his cheeks, he returned for some more and was caught in the act.

Ground_Squirrel_Mirror_Lake_2447


Ground Squirrel Mirror Lake 2447
(337 KB)

A series of close portraits of our hero after he deposited his cache of nuts.
He is far more attractive without the bulging cheeks, but not quite as comical.

Ground_Squirrel_Mirror_Lake_2457


Ground Squirrel Mirror Lake 2457
(398 KB)

Our friend hopped up on a boulder to pose for close portraits.

Ground_Squirrel_Mirror_Lake_2460


Ground Squirrel Mirror Lake 2460c
(374 KB)

Here he is munching a little berry (no more nuts around).

Ground_Squirrel_Mirror_Lake_2450


Ground Squirrel Mirror Lake 2450
(416 KB)

A California Ground Squirrel posing on a boulder near Mirror Lake in late March.

Ground_Squirrel_Mirror_Lake_X2183


Ground Squirrel Mirror Lake X2183
(594 KB)

Another Ground Squirrel dismembering a nut near Mirror Lake in mid-May.

Ground_Squirrel_Foraging_Glacier_Point_X6617


Ground Squirrel Foraging Glacier Point X6617
(567 KB)

A California Ground Squirrel inspects a leaf while foraging in Autumn at Glacier Point.

Ground_Squirrel_Foraging_Glacier_Point_X6620


Ground Squirrel Foraging Glacier Point X6620
(511 KB)

Apparently, this fellow doesn’t have any packs to dig into. He checks the leaf for nutritional value.

Ground_Squirrel_Washburn_Point_2304


Ground Squirrel Washburn Point 2304
(452 KB)

A Ground Squirrel at Washburn Point in June, relaxing in the shade to avoid the summer heat.

Sunburst3

Images in this section are in a number of different Galleries on the Photoshelter website.
The Banner below leads to the Yosemite Collection page where a Gallery can be selected.

PhotoshelterGallerySection


There are 15 Galleries in the Photoshelter Yosemite Collection

For convenience, Galleries containing the images of Wildlife, Plants,
Sequoia National Park, Bodie Ghost Town, Mono Lake and Mariposa
have been copied to the Yosemite Collection from their normal locations.

Sunburst3
Golden_Mantle_Taft_Point_Trail_X6671c


Golden Mantle Taft Point Trail X6671c
(311 KB)

Golden_Mantle_Taft_Point_Trail_X6673


Golden Mantle Taft Point Trail X6673
(294 KB)

In the Red Fir forest leading to Taft Point, a Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel peeks above a humus-strewn log.
He darts atop the log for a quick look at the passing hikers, before heading down the trail to gather nesting material.

Golden_Mantle_Nesting_Taft_Point_Trail_X6679


Golden Mantle Nesting Taft Point Trail X6679
(699 KB)

This was one of the funniest squirrel sequences I have taken. The Golden Mantle scooted over to a clump of grass and began to pack it into his mouth at high speed.

Golden_Mantle_Nesting_Taft_Point_Trail_X6681c


Golden Mantle Nesting Taft Point Trail X6681c
(679 KB)

He was gathering nesting material to insulate his burrow for the coming winter (these were taken in late Autumn, in the latter part of October).

Golden_Mantle_Nesting_Taft_Point_Trail_X6683c


Golden Mantle Nesting Taft Point Trail X6683c
(548 KB)

He would grab a clump of grass, then rapidly stuff it in his mouth, packing and compressing it so he could carry more.

Golden_Mantle_Nesting_Taft_Point_Trail_X6686c


Golden Mantle Nesting Taft Point Trail X6686c
(480 KB)

You would think this mouthful would be adequate, but the little guy decided that there wasn't enough and reached for more.

Golden_Mantle_Nesting_Taft_Point_Trail_X6689c


Golden Mantle Nesting Taft Point Trail X6689c
(539 KB)

This all happened very quickly (the whole sequence took less than a minute), and
I was hard-pressed to get the shots as I was quaking with laughter the entire time.

Golden_Mantle_Nesting_Taft_Point_Trail_X6691c


Golden Mantle Nesting Taft Point Trail X6691c
(482 KB)

Here is our intrepid Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel with a mouthful
of grass, just before he took it back to his burrow to make his winter nest.
He didn’t get much more in, but he certainly did give it the old college try.

Golden_Mantle_Taft_Point_3437c


Golden Mantle Taft Point 3437c
(503 KB)

A Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel at Taft Point in the spring. This little fellow was standing atop a granite boulder eating a flower when he saw us approaching and instantly threw down the flower to begin his "aren't I cute?" routine to get some nuts.  Anyone with a cat knows how effective this routine can be, and apparently this little guy has had quite a lot of practice.

Golden_Mantle_Taft_Point_3438c


Golden Mantle Taft Point 3438c
(476 KB)

Golden_Mantle_Taft_Point_3441


Golden Mantle Taft Point 3441
(300 KB)

Golden_Mantle_Taft_Point_3445


Golden Mantle Taft Point 3445
(400 KB)

A Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel, munching a nut atop a granite boulder at Taft Point.

The Golden Mantle is a type of ground squirrel found in mountainous regions of the West.
Like the chipmunk, it has stripes on its back, but it has no facial stripes and is generally
larger than the chipmunk (a large chipmunk is about the size of a small Golden Mantle).
They have a russet to golden-brown mantle over the head and shoulders, thus the name.

Golden_Mantle_Taft_Point_3447c


Golden Mantle Taft Point 3447c
(509 KB)

The Golden Mantle emerges from its burrow in April or May at these altitudes
(Taft Point is at 7500 feet, and snow covers the area until April in most years,
sometimes until mid-May). This fellow had probably been out of his burrow
for less than a month when we encountered him in the latter part of May.

Golden_Mantle_Taft_Point_3448


Golden Mantle Taft Point 3448
(402 KB)

Golden_Mantle_Taft_Point_3453c


Golden Mantle Taft Point 3453c
(510 KB)

A detail crop from an image framed like the one at left.

A Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel munches a nut atop a granite boulder at Taft Point on the Yosemite Rim.

Golden_Mantle_Taft_Point_3459c


Golden Mantle Taft Point 3459c
(483 KB)

Our little friend went right back to his “aren’t I cute?” routine after finishing his nut. I love his astonished look shown at right. Images with a “c” in the shot number are detail crops.

Golden_Mantle_Taft_Point_3461


Golden Mantle Taft Point 3461
(460 KB)

The astonished look is part of his "aren't I cute?" routine.

Golden_Mantle_Taft_Point_3464c


Golden Mantle Taft Point 3464c
(538 KB)

In payment for the sequence of shots, I gave the little fellow a cashew. This was one happy squirrel.

Sunburst3

Images in this section are in a number of different Galleries on the Photoshelter website.
The Banner below leads to the Yosemite Collection page where a Gallery can be selected.

PhotoshelterGallerySection


There are 15 Galleries in the Photoshelter Yosemite Collection

For convenience, Galleries containing the images of Wildlife, Plants,
Sequoia National Park, Bodie Ghost Town, Mono Lake and Mariposa
have been copied to the Yosemite Collection from their normal locations.

Sunburst3
Marmot_Tioga_Pass_3143c


Marmot Tioga Pass 3143c
(614 KB)

A Yellow-Bellied Marmot at Olmsted Point on the Tioga Road. The Yellow-Bellied Marmot is a giant ground squirrel about the size of a small dog. Also known as the Rock Chuck, they dig their burrows under rocks to hide them from predators.

Marmot_Tioga_Pass_3146c


Marmot Tioga Pass 3146c
(698 KB)

Yellow-Bellied Marmot at Olmsted Point in the Tioga Pass.

Marmot_Tioga_Pass_3149c


Marmot Tioga Pass 3149c
(665 KB)

A Yellow-Bellied Marmot peeks from between the rocks at Olmsted Point in the Tioga Pass.

Yellow-Bellied Marmots live mostly at higher altitudes. Olmsted Point, named for the landscape
architect Frederick Law Olmsted, overlooks Tenaya Canyon from the Tioga Road at 8400 feet.

Olmsted designed public parks such as Central Park in New York City, the grounds of the US Capitol,
private grounds such as the Biltmore Estate, the master plans for UC Berkeley and Stanford University,
and as the first head of the Commission appointed to manage the Yosemite Grant he was responsible
for the early work done to preserve Yosemite. He was the founder of American landscape architecture.

Marmot_Tioga_Pass_3151


Marmot Tioga Pass 3151
(774 KB)

A Yellow-Bellied Marmot poses for a profile portrait at Olmsted Point on the Tioga Road.

Marmot_Tioga_Pass_3152c


Marmot Tioga Pass 3152c
(765 KB)

A detail crop of a Yellow-Bellied Marmot peeking from between rocks at Olmsted Point.

Marmot_Tioga_Pass_3153


Marmot Tioga Pass 3153
(855 KB)

Marmot_Tioga_Pass_3155


Marmot Tioga Pass 3155
(849 KB)

A Yellow-Bellied Marmot crossing the bright granite rocks at Olmsted Point on the Tioga Road.

Marmot_Tioga_Pass_3157


Marmot Tioga Pass 3157
(795 KB)

The Marmot poses for a portrait while overlooking Tenaya Canyon from his granite perch.

Marmot_Tioga_Pass_3167


Marmot Tioga Pass 3167
(893 KB)

Finally, curious about the clicking sound, the Marmot came over to the rock wall directly
below me to inspect the strange human who had been watching with the big glass eye.

Yellow-Bellied_Marmot_Tioga_Pass


Yellow-Bellied Marmot Tioga Pass
(753 KB)

An 1127 x 1200 version of the Yellow-Bellied Marmot Composite.

The full-sized XL version of the composite is 2464 x 2730.

Sunburst3

Images in this section are in a number of different Galleries on the Photoshelter website.
The Banner below leads to the Yosemite Collection page where a Gallery can be selected.

PhotoshelterGallerySection


There are 15 Galleries in the Photoshelter Yosemite Collection

For convenience, Galleries containing the images of Wildlife, Plants,
Sequoia National Park, Bodie Ghost Town, Mono Lake and Mariposa
have been copied to the Yosemite Collection from their normal locations.

Sunburst3
Yosemite_Deer_Birds


Click the Display Composite above to visit the Yosemite Deer and Birds page

Yosemite_Select


Click the Display Composite above to visit the Yosemite Select page

Content_©
Contact_RR