Yellow-bellied Marmot Pup In A Crack In Some Rocks

Yellow-bellied Marmot pup in a crack in the rocks – Nikon D500, f11, 1/640, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I was delighted to find and photograph a Yellow-bellied Marmot pup peeking out of a crack in some lichen-covered rocks on the 1st of April in northern Utah. I spotted the young marmot climbing down a huge boulder. By the time I was close enough to photograph the furry pup it had taken shelter in a jagged crack in the rocks. While I had the young marmot in my viewfinder it didn’t leave the crack in the rocks.

I spotted my first of year Yellow-bellied Marmot this winter on January 15th and then found another one on February 7th. Those sightings were both early. Typically Yellow-bellied Marmots come out of their burrows towards the middle of March in northern Utah depending on elevation.

Seeing the first of season Yellow-bellied Marmot pups is always exciting for me. They are cute, fuzzy and playful with their siblings. I don’t know if the pup I photographed had siblings because it was the only marmot I found in this location.

On the same morning I photographed two adult marmots in other areas that were high up on cliff faces. I didn’t have great views of them nor was I able to spend enough time with those marmots to see if they had pups.

I was thrilled to have this marmot pup in my viewfinder for a few moments on a bright, sunny morning.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Yellow-bellied Marmot photos plus facts and information about this species.

Please note that that I took this image from within the confines of a vehicle using it as a mobile blind. I would never approach the Yellow-bellied Marmots closely on foot, especially when they have young because it goes against my personal wildlife ethics. They need space and I give that to them.