September 26, 2012

Prepare to Hibernate!


We've had a pretty nice run of Indian summer weather this last two weeks, but there is no stopping the passage of time.  Birds have been flocking up and heading south, pikas and squirrels have been laying in supplies, and last week, we saw some very fat hoary marmots making their last visit to the alpine salad bar.

Hoary marmot
By this time of the year, the grass isn't just for eating.   This chunky marmot at Lake O'Hara was clearly collecting grass to use as nesting material.  I guess if you're going to sleep for eight months, you want to do so in comfort.  The last of the marmots will be out for the count before the end of September, and the next time we'll see them will be in June.

Sweet dreams.