Is that a wood chuck or a rock chuck?

Ashcroft Alice, happily hibernating still

This is what passes for a groundhog in these parts. We call them marmots - a yellow-bellied marmot to be more exact (Marmota flaviventris), or Ashcroft Alice if you prefer the whimsical. Close cousin to the groundhog (Marmota monax). I went looking for one today, because marmots are plentiful around here. Didn't see any, but I didn't really expect to, either. These guys ain't stoopid. They know it's still winter up top, and the eagles are very hungry this time of year. We don't usually see them until early Spring when the sun warms up their rocks. Who cares whether they see their shadow or not? It will be Spring when they emerge from their dens. Here's hoping that we see them soon.

Until next time,