Some springtime cuteness.
1/800, f/16, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Almost exactly three years ago today, on April 9, 2018, I took way too many photos of a family of Yellow-bellied Marmots near their den in northern Utah. The family group included five pups who, with varying degrees of curiosity and bravado, explored their rocky world with periodic retreats to rocky crevices for protection and/or approached one of their nearby siblings for comfort and reassurance.
These two seemed particularly fond of each other.
1/800, f/16, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
The slightly smaller sibling on the right was less adventuresome than some of the others and appeared to need more reassurance. ‘He’ was clingy and his larger brother or sister seemed perfectly willing to provide the reassurance he craved.
Or maybe it flowed both ways.
1/800, f/16, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
At one point they even appeared to be kissing. Recently on this blog I described several situations where I don’t think a catch light in the eyes of my subjects is critical to the success of the image. ‘Kissing’ marmot pups is definitely one of them.
I spent over a half hour with these poster children for cuteness so you can imagine the workout I gave my camera’s shutter button. In that short amount of time I took nearly 900 photos of them which may be one of the reasons one of my 7D Mark II cameras had to be sent to the shop for repair. One of the repairs the Canon technicians said it needed was a new shutter and mirror box because my camera had such a high shutter count.
That repaired camera is scheduled to be delivered to me today, along with a new LensCoat for my recently cleaned and repaired 500mm f/4 lens. Then if our current spate of stormy weather ever clears out I should once again be off to the races.
No more excuses.
Ron
There is no such thing as too many pictures of squee-rrific marmot pups. (I had to delete some images from my phoned to make room for all the husky pup pictures.)
Looking forward to you testing your equipment! (um, I meant the camera equipment) 😉
Marty, these days camera equipment is about the only equipment I test…
I don’t even have a camera. 😉
Husky pups?? Oh my …. these are fosters, yes? Are they all spoken for? Or mama?
They’ll be available for adoption next month. Not sure when mama’s going up; puppies will be old enough at the end of the month. 🙂
Hmmm, I could be seriously interested…not sure how to make (private) contact. Ideas? (I’m checking notify of follow-up comments by email, but that will likely not help at all.) 🤔
OK, I think I’ve hooked you two up via email. Good luck.
Oh, just adorbs! (Don’t judge me. That “cutesy” term is the perfect descriptor for these critters, I think.)
EC is absolutely correct about animals’ feelings and intelligence. Although it could be that in this instance, one pup smelled or tasted something irresistible on the sibling’s mouth! No matter, that kissy face action is too sweet! 😍
Whatever their motivation it’s sure appealing to humans isn’t it, Chris.
Don’t worry, Chris. I just used “squee.” 😹
Starting my day with awwww, is pretty damn fine in my eyes. Thank you (not yet 4am here).
Thanks, EC.
Ahh, I would have stayed all day and just watched.
April, if I remember correctly I didn’t find these guys until late in the morning and eventually they became far less active. Besides, the light was beginning to get harsh.
Varmints! Have seen lots of adults over the years, but never little ones. Pretty darn cute and interesting to hear about their behavior. Several years ago while visiting Austria, I learned that marmots are Austria’s little cartoony mascots. They sell marmot mugs, key rings, etc. Struck this Montana girl as odd, given the pests they can be. However, I did purchase a little plush marmot who wears lederhosen & plays a little accordion when you push his belly…. they are cute after all.
It’s all a matter of perspective isn’t it, Kathryn.
Ditto to Chris Eberhard’s response ………… very well said Chris. These two are just too cute. Great shots and write up. I have never seen a marmot. Not sure if we have them here? The Canon folks who worked on your cameras and lenses must have been surprised by that shutter count.
Everett, one range map I looked at showed marmots only at the very north-central edge of Arizona.
I’m not sure they were surprised but they definitely noticed and mentioned my high shutter count. I need at least one of my 7DII’s to be reliable and last until a new camera comes out that appeals to me (Canon R7?) so I figured it was worth the investment to refurbish this one.
These photos are a real treat–thanks ! I thought it interesting that you paid
attention to the dynamics of interaction between these 2 little guys, and
how they “supported” each other……I think that most of the human world
haven’t any grasp of the extent of personality ( for lack of a better word )
exhibited by individual animals—-for those humans who pay attention to it, it’s
really fascinating, and frequently endearing……
Thank you, Kris. As a photographer I have to pay attention to stuff like that or I’ll miss interesting photos. Besides, even without a camera in hand I’d be fascinated by it all. I can’t understand why anyone wouldn’t be.
Snap. And any one who says that critters don’t feel affection or have intelligence goes down several irretrievable points in my eyes.
More than several irretrievable points in my book! Maybe they don’t get any points, actually. 🤨
I was being nice. Ish. Want I meant was that they crash down to a point score of zero – but they rarely had many points to start with.
They get negative points! I’m watching mamadog and her pups and there’s definitely affection and intelligence (and a lot of poop!).
I think I remember that post. How sweet! The cutest thing I have are baby bunnies right now.
Cindy, you probably do. I posted some similar photos of them about three years ago.
SO cute! 🙂 Yes, spring IS fun with all the young of various species out and about. 🙂 The young Marmots are no exception… We’re having a spat of cold with a bit of snow this week also. At least there’s a bit of moisture in it…
Your shutters and mirrors DO get a work out! 😉
Judy, typical of my luck we had great weather for almost the entire time my lens and second camera were in the shop. As soon as I get them back the weather turns to… you know what.
Whoever wrote “Muskrat Love” obviously missed the mark.
900 photos? Surprising, but kinda not considering the cuteness factor.
The LensCoat was/is a smart investment judging by the preshipping photo several days ago. Your lens looks factory new.
Wow Lyle, you’re up early… 🙂
I like to baby that lens so I’ve had a lens coat on it ever since I bought it years ago. I’ve actually been through two LensCoats in that amount of time but this last one was getting so raggedy and dirty it had to be replaced.
When they get that old thread fragments begin to fray off of its edges. With the lens sticking out the window those threads flutter in the breeze and make the photographer think he’s seeing birds moving in the distance that aren’t really there. Not a good thing…