SOOC #9 Ground Squirrel

I really liked how this little ground squirrel posed for me. :) If I were to edit this photo I would just lower the green saturation a bit so it would distract less.

Murrieta365

Not a striped gopher

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

A few weeks ago (where is the time going?!) I showed you a cute little Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel I found in Iowa. Well, it wasn’t long after that (yes, I‘m that far behind in looking at my photos - but I figure maybe it‘ll help me get through the long winter of limited photo ops), I found some more in our favorite local park.

These squirrels are about the size of our chipmunks but have smaller ears and more stripes. Would you believe they plug up their holes at night? I still like their other name of Federation Squirrels.

A couple of days later, I went back to the park and found several babies popping up out of their holes and just generally being curious. They allowed me to sit and snap at them for a while.

Peek-a-boo!

It’s hard to believe they can run up to 8 mph.

They will start hibernating soon, maybe they already have. They’re one of the longest true hibernators in Wisconsin.

I just love babies!