{"id":103177,"date":"2022-06-11T05:26:08","date_gmt":"2022-06-11T11:26:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/?p=103177"},"modified":"2022-06-11T05:29:32","modified_gmt":"2022-06-11T11:29:32","slug":"least-chipmunk-high-in-the-wasatch-mountains","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2022\/06\/11\/least-chipmunk-high-in-the-wasatch-mountains\/","title":{"rendered":"Least Chipmunk High In The Wasatch Mountains"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"LeastLeast Chipmunk on an old fence rail \u2013 Nikon D500, f7.1, 1\/1250, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light<\/span><\/p>\n

While up high in the Wasatch Mountains<\/span><\/a> two days ago I had the opportunity to photograph this adult Least Chipmunk on an old fence rail and I jumped at the chance. I spotted two of the chipmunks close together and stopped my Jeep. One of the chipmunks disappeared but this little striped fur ball stayed put on the fence rail.<\/p>\n

This chipmunk could still see the other one and it flicked its tail around like a flag snapping in the wind. Chipmunks can be territorial and I wondered if that was what was the behavior was that I was seeing as I photographed this one.<\/p>\n

I found this Least Chipmunk on a sagebrush dotted hillside that included a few serviceberry shrubs, grasses and various species of wildflowers. Green-tailed Towhees also frequent this area and they are what I was looking for when I found the chipmunks.<\/p>\n

\"SpringSpring Least Chipmunk in the Wasatch Mountains \u2013 Nikon D500, f7.1, 1\/1250, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light<\/span><\/p>\n

I adore chipmunks because of their stripes, their big dark eyes, long tails and because of how active they are. They are also fun and challenging to photograph.<\/p>\n

Sadly I didn’t have much time with this Least Chipmunk before it raised its tail, climbed down the fence and disappeared from my view. I would have liked to have watched the interactions between the two chipmunks I originally saw for a longer period of time.<\/p>\n

It won’t be too much longer before I start to see young Least Chipmunks out and about in the high country of the Wasatch Mountain Range. It would be exciting to photograph them!<\/p>\n

Life is<\/em> good.<\/p>\n

Mia<\/p>\n

Click here<\/span><\/a> to see more of my Least Chipmunk photos plus facts and information about this species.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

While up high in the Wasatch Mountains two days ago I had the opportunity to photograph this adult Least Chipmunk on an old fence rail and I jumped at the chance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":103167,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5922,4594,26,773],"tags":[4004,3940,4383,5352,3830,5351,4069,2264,4585,165,7711],"class_list":["post-103177","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-least-chipmunks","category-morgan-county","category-utah","category-wasatch-mountains","tag-adult","tag-canyon","tag-chipmunk","tag-chipmunks","tag-fence","tag-least-chipmunk","tag-mountains","tag-tamias-minimus","tag-rail","tag-spring","tag-wooden"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/least-chipmunk-on-old-fence-mia-mcpherson-7931.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p11Mom-qQ9","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":40757,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2016\/08\/02\/wasatch-mountain-range-chipmunk\/","url_meta":{"origin":103177,"position":0},"title":"Wasatch Mountain Range Chipmunk","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"August 2, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"It seemed like every where I looked I saw little chipmunks scurrying around on the ground and climbing in the scrub oaks that dot the western side of the Wasatch Mountains.","rel":"","context":"In "Davis County"","block_context":{"text":"Davis County","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/locations\/utah\/davis-county-utah\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Least Chipmunk in the Wasatch Mountains, Wasatch National Forest, Skyline Drive, Davis County, Utah","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/least-chipmunk-wasatch-mountains-mia-mcpherson-7183.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/least-chipmunk-wasatch-mountains-mia-mcpherson-7183.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/least-chipmunk-wasatch-mountains-mia-mcpherson-7183.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/least-chipmunk-wasatch-mountains-mia-mcpherson-7183.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":53461,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2018\/08\/09\/young-bull-moose-plus-least-chipmunks-in-a-mountain-canyon\/","url_meta":{"origin":103177,"position":1},"title":"Young Bull Moose Plus Least Chipmunks In A Mountain Canyon","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"August 9, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"I haven't just found and photographed birds this week, I have also had some furry creatures in my viewfinder including a young bull Moose and plenty of Least Chipmunks.","rel":"","context":"In "Least Chipmunks"","block_context":{"text":"Least Chipmunks","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/wildlife\/least-chipmunks\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Two Least Chipmunks playing on a fence rail, Wasatch Mountains, Morgan County, Utah","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/least-chipmunks-fence-mia-mcpherson-1795.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/least-chipmunks-fence-mia-mcpherson-1795.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/least-chipmunks-fence-mia-mcpherson-1795.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/least-chipmunks-fence-mia-mcpherson-1795.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":68911,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2020\/04\/23\/spring-least-chipmunk-on-an-old-wooden-fence-in-the-wasatch-mountains\/","url_meta":{"origin":103177,"position":2},"title":"Spring Least Chipmunk On An Old Wooden Fence In The Wasatch Mountains","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"April 23, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"This Least Chipmunk was running along the rails of an old wooden fence and when it stopped for a rest on a fence post I was ready.","rel":"","context":"In "Least Chipmunks"","block_context":{"text":"Least Chipmunks","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/wildlife\/least-chipmunks\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Spring Least Chipmunk on an old wooden fence, Wasatch Mountains, Morgan County, Utah","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/least-chipmunk-old-wooden-fence-mia-mcpherson-5514.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/least-chipmunk-old-wooden-fence-mia-mcpherson-5514.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/least-chipmunk-old-wooden-fence-mia-mcpherson-5514.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/least-chipmunk-old-wooden-fence-mia-mcpherson-5514.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15230,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2014\/06\/18\/yellow-pine-chipmunk-in-clark-county-idaho\/","url_meta":{"origin":103177,"position":3},"title":"Yellow-pine Chipmunk in Clark County, Idaho","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"June 18, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Last month while visiting Clark County, Idaho I was able to photograph this Yellow-pine Chipmunk that was on the rail of an old wooden fence.","rel":"","context":"In "Clark County"","block_context":{"text":"Clark County","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/locations\/idaho\/clark-county\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Yellow-pine Chipmunk in Idaho, Targhee National Forest, Clark County","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/chipmunk-mia-mcpherson-1685.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/chipmunk-mia-mcpherson-1685.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/chipmunk-mia-mcpherson-1685.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/chipmunk-mia-mcpherson-1685.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":63843,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2020\/02\/08\/least-chipmunk-in-the-wasatch-mountains\/","url_meta":{"origin":103177,"position":4},"title":"Least Chipmunk In The Wasatch Mountains","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"February 8, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"I photographed this Least Chipmunk last summer high up in a mountain canyon where it appeared to be sniffing the lichens that covered the top of a wooden fence post.","rel":"","context":"In "Least Chipmunks"","block_context":{"text":"Least Chipmunks","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/wildlife\/least-chipmunks\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Least Chipmunk on a lichen-covered post, Wasatch Mountains, Morgan County, Utah","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/least-chipmunk-lichen-fence-post-mia-mcpherson-9457.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/least-chipmunk-lichen-fence-post-mia-mcpherson-9457.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/least-chipmunk-lichen-fence-post-mia-mcpherson-9457.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/least-chipmunk-lichen-fence-post-mia-mcpherson-9457.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":59726,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2019\/08\/26\/a-few-moments-with-a-least-chipmunk\/","url_meta":{"origin":103177,"position":5},"title":"A Few Moments With A Least Chipmunk","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"August 26, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"I spent a few moments watching and photographing a Least Chipmunk yesterday in the Wasatch Mountains and tried to savor every second I had with it.","rel":"","context":"In "Least Chipmunks"","block_context":{"text":"Least Chipmunks","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/wildlife\/least-chipmunks\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Least Chipmunk walking on a barbed wire fence, Wasatch Mountains, Morgan County, Utah","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/least-chipmunk-on-wire-mia-mcpherson-5013.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/least-chipmunk-on-wire-mia-mcpherson-5013.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/least-chipmunk-on-wire-mia-mcpherson-5013.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/least-chipmunk-on-wire-mia-mcpherson-5013.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/103177","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=103177"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/103177\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/103167"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=103177"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=103177"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=103177"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}