Sitting Uinta Ground SquirrelSitting Uinta Ground Squirrel – Nikon D7100, f6.3, 1/2000, ISO 500, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC at 500mm, natural light

Even though Uinta Ground Squirrels are called pests, vermin and varmints by some people I happen to like them a lot as photographic subjects. Uinta Ground Squirrels have a limited range in north central Utah, western Wyoming, southeastern Idaho and southwestern Montana and are most often found in mountain meadows and moist mountain valleys.

I was very happy to photograph a cooperative Uinta Ground Squirrel in Montana on my recent trip to the Centennial Valley.

Standing Uinta Ground SquirrelStanding Uinta Ground Squirrel – Nikon D7100, f8, 1/2000, ISO 500, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC at 500mm, natural light

Uinta Ground Squirrels are only active about three and a half months of the year and the rest of the time they spend underground in burrows hibernating where they live off the fat in their bodies and seeds they have stored for the winter.

Resting Uinta Ground SquirrelResting Uinta Ground Squirrel – Nikon D7100, f8, 1/2000, ISO 500, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC at 500mm, natural light

Usually by the end of July adult Uinta Ground Squirrels have already gone underground to hibernate though the young squirrels may linger above ground a few weeks longer. I know that if I head back up to Montana in August or September I won’t be seeing or photographing these squirrels. I know I am always happy to have them in my view finder.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Uinta Ground Squirrel photos plus facts and information about this species.