A fascinating event is beginning in the remote mountains and canyons of Wonderful Wyoming.  Signs of Springtime can seen for those willing to stop and look a little closer, with the first green-thing pushing up being the hearty, Wild Mint; it can bloom as late as December here in the Wind River Canyon.  I've never even tried to photograph their tiny, pink flowers.   Rock Chuck, Yellow-bellied Marmot, Wind River Canyon, WyomingYellow-bellied Marmot, known as the Rock Chuck in Wyoming, Photographed @ Wind River Canyon.

     The surest sign that Spring may not be too far away is the first emergence of the Yellow-bellied Marmot, or as he's called in the Wild West, the "Rock Chuck."  These large, hairy beasts are much like the Ground Hogs "back East"; only ours are much, much cuter, of course!  They live deep underground and spend three-quarters of their lives in that hole-in-the-ground; they're vegetarians.  The first Rock Chuck that I saw was last Wednesday afternoon----hey, Spring must be here!

     The adorable little Chipmunks are out and searching for seeds much sooner, but they don't Chipmunk, Wind River Canyon, WyomingPhotographic Portrait of a Chipmunk in the Wind River Canyon, Wyoming. know any better, anyway.  We always see the chubby males leaping through snow early in the year; no sign of Springtime when they are first seen (this year, February 16th).  The Rock Chucks, on the other hand, are interested in soaking up the warm rays of the Sun, and you'll never see them when it's even a little bit cold.  

     Chipmunks are very friendly, and easy and fun to photograph; Rock Chucks are near-sighted, a little more wary and difficult to approach, and not as lovable as a Chipmunk----ever seen a group of Rock Chucks starring in a movie? Me neither........the above picture is a Wind River Canyon Rock Chuck (on a rock); the photo to the right is a Chipmunk, and the star of a few films you may have seen.

     Over the course of this Winter, I've been making a new and rarely seen wild animal friend here in the Wind River Canyon.  You can find a squirrel just about anywhere, but they are very few in number here in the canyon.  My extensive research tells me that they are more snack size, and not as prolific as say, chipmunks or voles.  Unlike your neighborhood park squirrels and chipmunks, these mountains are home for wildlife that eat these little vegetarians.  

     This little squirrel has a thing for the sunflower seeds that my finches eat.  I used my double-whistle to let him know I was around again; yesterday, I decided to shoot a funny portrait.  When he (or she?) was scrounging for seeds, I went out with the "white cup" with some sunflower seeds, which looks suspiciously like my 70-200mm, white Canon lens.  I'd already been close with the cup, so tricking him into posing for a goofy photo was a matter of concentration on my "pretty model."  Shutter speed was 1/320th @ f/5.6, ISO 400, and I was crawling around on my knees to get the shot I envisioned earlier.  You can come up with your own funny caption:-) Portrait of a Squirrel_Wind River Canyon, WyomingPortrait of a Squirrel in the Wind River Canyon, Wyoming

     I hope the early signs of Spring bring a little smile.  Go for a hike and look for the change of seasons near you; trust me, it'll cleanse your mind and soul.  Till next week's Wind River Canyon Blog...."Keep your camera ready!"

*All images and writing by Michael John Balog, Hogbats Photography, Wind River Canyon, Wyoming.  Visit HogbatsPhotography.com for award-winning Wyoming Hummingbird images, and many photos of the wild animals and birds of the Wind River Canyon.