Tag: sedge bay

Other Mammal

Yellow-bellied Marmots, Yellowstone National Park

Photo of yellow-bellied marmot.
On the Look-out

Yellow-bellied marmots are one of the largest rodents in Yellowstone.  They are about 20 t0 28 inches in length and weigh from 3.5 to 11 pounds.  They are found at all elevations in the park and hibernate for up to eight months a year at the higher elevations.

Photo of a Marmot.
Always Looking for Enemies

A colony consists of one male, several females and young of the year.  They breed shortly after emerging from hibernation.  Their calls include a loud whistle and a scream when predators are nearby.  They are preyed upon by eagles, coyotes and grizzlies.  The preceding info is based on the Park Service’s 2005 edition of “Yellowstone Resources & Issues.”

Photo of a marmot at Sedge Bay.
Marmot near Sedge Bay

Marmots can be found throughout the park.  Look for rocky areas with grass nearby.  One good spot is the rock outcropping across from the Sedge Bay picnic area.  A couple of years ago I was photographing them there when they started screaming about something behind them.  They were a little above me so I couldn’t see what they were agitated about.  They took cover in the rocks.  I picked up my gear and turned to go back to my truck which was parked on the road’s shoulder about 50 feet away.  As I did so a black wolf disappeared into some cover about 40 feet from me.  He had apparently walked between me and my truck.  A guy pulled up and asked if I saw the white wolf above the rock outcropping.  That was the wolf the marmots were screaming about.  I said “no,” but I spotted it shortly thereafter.  It was going in the opposite direction of the black wolf.  For a link to that blog click here.

Other Mammal

Yellow-bellied Marmot, Yellowstone National Park

Photo of a yellow-bellied marmot.
On the Lookout at Sedge Bay

One of the things I’ve noticed about myself at Yellowstone is that I no longer just focus on the species that are most sought after by photographers and other visitors.  I’m thinking, of course, of things like bears and wolves.  Oh, sure, they’re still at the top of my list, but I’m interested in all the animals now, including the rodents.

I photographed this marmot across the road from Sedge Bay. The rock outcroppings there hold a good population of marmots.  I learned a lesson that day.  Make that two lessons.  I had stopped to shoot marmots and just grabbed my 500 lens and tripod.  I left the 100-400 on another camera body in the truck.   After shooting for a while this marmot turned its back to me, stood up and gave a warning call.  Others chimed in.  I didn’t have a clear line of sight to what they were upset about, but decided I had gotten what I wanted and hoisted the camera/tripod onto my shoulder and turned around to head back to my truck. It was then that I saw a black wolf walking midway between me and my truck which was parked about 40 to 50 feet away.  It disappeared into some trees.  Two mistakes.  I should have looked in all directions when the marmots started calling and I should have brought the 100-400 with me.  As I got to the truck I saw a white wolf heading into the trees going in the opposite direction of the black wolf.  It had been the one behind the marmots.  I followed it in the truck, but lost it.  Next time I’ll be prepared.  Yeah, right.  I’ve said that before.