high-altitude marmot (cute animal pic!)

[Bill McBlueState]

I thought some of you animal lovers might like to see this guy. He came out to say hi while my wife and I and some friends were hiking a trail in the Canadian Rockies. This was near Lake Louise, at an elevation of about 7500 feet. The little guy was either too blind to see us (how well can marmots see?), or used to people, since we were able to get within just a few feet of him. He seemed pretty suspicious of the whole encounter.

[Lisa]

1. A number of friends have reported weird marmota encounters ...

Most notably, a friend who had a woodchuck jump out at her while she was riding her bicycle. (The 'chuck bit the front bike tire -- not hard enough to puncture the tube, but it definitely left a gouge!)

Based on other rodents I've known, I think their vision is mediocre (no color, resolution not great either) but they can see movement pretty well (e.g. a diving eagle). Sense of smell likely more acute than ours?

Chances are that people might have been feeding him. Especially around Lake Louise, there are lots of visitors.

[Doctor Smith]

2. I live on a river,

and we often have Yellow-bellied Marmots in our yard.

They run away if approached, so I assume your buddy was accustomed to the tourists, as is much of the wildlife around Lake Louise.

Did you stay at the Chateau Lake Louise?

[Bill McBlueState]

3. no chateau

The chateau (I assume, anyway) was a bit too pricey for us. I was actually attending an astronomy conference in Banff. We drove to Lake Louise for an afternoon, and our hike started at Lake Morraine, going up to Larch Valley. The surroundings were fascinating above the tree line.

[Magrittes Pipe]

4. We like marmots -- we like all the fluffy animals!

We really like the moon!