These animals, different from the Richardson Ground Squirrels that we get in the city, are found in alpine and sub-alpine meadows and live in fairly large colonies. Can't get close to them, as they quickly disappear down the nearest burrow.
Tags: Alberta Canada nature wildlife animal Columbian Ground Squirrel
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This Columbian Ground Squirrel gave me some fun moments last year, especially when I tried to catch it with its mouth wide open, mid-squeal. By the time my camera had processed each shot, the mouth was closed again. However, I did get a few "screams", LOL. This was seen on the way home after a hike at Ptarmigan Cirque, off Highway 40, Kananaskis. We get a different kind in the city - Richardson's Ground Squirrel.
www.mnh.si.edu/mna/image_info.cfm?species_id=346
Tags: Alberta Canada Kananaskis nature animal wild animal Ground Squirrel Columbian Ground Squirrel Panasonic DMC-FZ18 FZ18 Lumix P1240113 FZ18 annkelliott Spermophilus columbianus
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Wish I could take credit for the timing, but I had to take quite a few shots to end up with ONE with its mouth open, mid-screech. Almost without fail, by the time my camera had processed an image, this little Columbian Ground Squirrel's mouth was closed again : ). Not sure if I noticed the Mosquito on its head when I was taking the photo. Saw this little guy/gal while we were enjoying (thoroughly enjoying!) a Strawberry Milkshake at Kananaskis Village after a day of hiking Ptarmigan Cirque Trail. Thanks Robin and Cedric! These Ground Squirrels are a different species from the Richardson's Ground Squirrels that are found in the city.
Tags: Alberta Canada Kananaskis Village Kananaskis nature animal mammal wild animal Columbian Ground Squirrel mosquito amusing humour Panasonic DMC-FZ18 FZ18 Lumix P1240111 FZ18 annkelliott Explore interestingness#110 explore2008October24 i500
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This little guy/gal let me get surprisingly close when I was on a hike along the Ptarmigan Cirque Trail (Kananaskis, Rocky Mountains) two days ago. I'd hoped (well, kind of!) for a Grizzly Bear, but had to make do with this little Columbian Ground Squirrel, LOL. However, we did see an area where a Grizzly had been digging up the ground - and it looked very recent : )
"This is the largest Alberta ground squirrel, similar in appearance to the Richardsons Ground Squirrel. A difference noted immediately, besides it usually slightly larger size, is the rusty orange colour around the nose which often extends to the throat and forelegs and sometimes to the undersides, although this area has more of a yellowing wash. It has a somewhat longer, more bushy, frosty, dark-tipped tail. The head and nape is a slate grey. The short, fine fur has three bands of colours, resulting in the back being a decidedly dappled yellowish grey.... Highwood Pass is a good area to find these animals." From talkaboutwildlife.ca.
Tags: Alberta Canada southern Alberta Kananaskis K Country Kananaskis Country Rocky Mountains Ptarmigan Cirque nature hike animal wild wild animal Ground Squirrel Columbian Ground Squirrel Spermophilus columbianus standing tall upright plants alert cute image photograph digital color image outdoors horizontal no people Panasonic DMC-FZ28 FZ28 Lumix point-and-shoot P1170276 FZ28 annkelliott
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This is a Columbian Ground Squirrel, photographed along the Smith-Dorrien Trail in the mountains, on 20 May 2012. We don't get this type of Ground Squirrel in the city (Calgary), just the Richardson's Ground Squirrel.
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