Wildlife Wonders: The Fascinating World of Marmots!
In our latest episode of 'Wildlife Wonders', we journey into the wild to unveil the whimsical world of marmots. These charismatic rodents, with their playful antics and intriguing habits, have more to offer than meets the eye. Join us as we unearth their secrets and celebrate the beauty of nature that surrounds us every day.
Get ready to experience an incredible adventure into the world of wildlife. Join us every week on a journey where we’ll explore and discover the incredible beauty and wonder of the diverse animal kingdom that surrounds us.
Marmots are a type of large ground squirrel native to North America and Eurasia. I am personally quite fond of them as they make fun and engaging photography subjects. I mean look at this guy right here. He sort of looks like a little mob boss, doesn’t he? And check this video out! Can you believe that? In front of my wife and without buying me dinner first. The nerve…
Did you know that there are 14 different known species of marmot? Marmots come in different shapes and sizes, with their average weight ranging from 3 to 7 kg (6.6 to 15.4 lbs). Some of the largest marmot species in North America include the Olympic, Hoary, and Vancouver Island marmots, with some individuals weighing over 8kg (18 lbs). The average length of their bodies ranges from 30-60 cm (11.8 to 23.6 inches), while their tails measure between 10 to 25 cm (3.9 to 9.8 inches). Their fur is long, thick, and slightly coarse and comes in various colors, such as yellowish-brown, brown, black, gray, and white. Marmots have a diverse diet as they are omnivorous, consuming grasses, flowers, insects, and even bird eggs if they can be obtained.
Marmots are part of a diverse group of animals known as rodents, which also includes popular pets like guinea pigs, as well as other animals like beavers, porcupines, chipmunks, squirrels, hamsters, and lemmings. Despite some people considering rodents to be gross or unappealing, they are actually fascinating and vital to many ecosystems.
Marmots are diurnal creatures, which means they are active primarily during the day. Some species, like the Hoary marmot and Alpine marmot, are highly sociable animals with family groups known as colonies. Each colony can have as many as 11 to 20 members! Other species, like the woodchuck of Canada and the United States, are solitary creatures that live alone except during breeding season.
One of the most amazing things about these animals is their adaptability to living in cold environments. They are exclusive to the northern hemisphere and have fur-covered ears, short, stocky legs, a bushy tail, and strong claws for digging. All species of marmot live in burrows that they excavate. Marmots are found in open country in mountains and plains, preferring mountainous meadows, steppes, tundra, and forest edges. The majority of mountain species construct burrows beneath boulder fields, rocky slopes, and crevices in cliff faces, offering protection from predators. These same rocks and cliffs also serve as perfect lookout points for the colony to warn each other of danger. If danger from predators does exist they will emit a sharp, piercing whistle to alarm their fellows and then escape to the relative safety of their burrows.
Now, let's talk about the winter. All species of marmot hibernate during this season. Most species do so deeply, but some may emerge from their burrows for short periods of time during mild winter days. During this hibernation period, they live on fat reserves accumulated during the summer. The hoary marmot, in particular, hibernates between seven to nine months out of the year! Their fat reserves amount to 20 percent of their total body weight. Talk about preparing for the winter!
Marmots mate soon after they emerge from hibernation. Gestation lasts about a month, and a litter is generally 4 or 5 born in nests within their burrows. Most marmots produce young every year, except for the Olympic marmot of the Olympic Mountains in the North West United States. Instead, they bear young every other year.
Unfortunately, not all species of marmots are doing well. The Vancouver Island marmot is a critically endangered species. They are concentrated on fewer than a dozen mountains in a small area of about 150 square kilometers on southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. The causes of their disappearance from northern Vancouver Island remain a mystery. Disease outbreaks, climate change, and sheer chance may have been contributing factors.
In conclusion, marmots are truly remarkable creatures that have adapted to survive in some of the harshest environments on Earth. From their hibernation habits to their social structures, there's no denying that marmots are both fascinating and important members of the animal kingdom. So next time you're exploring the mountains, keep an eye out for these furry little friends - you never know what you might learn!
If you enjoyed this glimpse into the wild, please comment and share. Next week, join us as we explore one of Canada’s most breathtaking parks.
New Year’s Resolutions for Photographers, Part 1.
Are you a photographer but feel stagnant with your art? Are you new to the art form and looking for some inspiring new year’s resolutions? Professional photographer, Nathan Forstved, has your back with these wonderful tips and suggestions.
In order to progress in any art form, I think it is essential to keep attainable goals. One of the most straightforward tools you can utilize is creating achievable new year’s resolutions. Notice that I have said attainable and achievable here. At this time of year, many of us over-indulge our imagination and think that somehow we’ll have more time in the new year or we’ll be more driven, less stressed, and somehow Hercules ourselves into a new way of life. Which is great to think about. You should indulge your imagination! However, when creating goals you need to keep them achievable. Too often we set unrealistically high goals for ourselves and when we fail to meet those lofty objectives, we have a tendency to shut down, halting most or all of our progress completely. It’s better to set your eyes toward smaller, more attainable goals to begin and work your way up from there. I learned this lesson in therapy and it has worked wonders in my life. Keep your goals realistic and attainable. Take into consideration your schedule, responsibilities, limitations, and stresses. Saying that, here are my top ten New Year’s Resolutions for photographers that you may choose to adopt.
1) Take your camera with you when you leave home!
One of the easiest and most achievable goals on this list is simply taking your camera wherever you go. It doesn’t even have to be a large full-frame DSLR, or mirrorless pro camera either. Most of us have some incredible cameras built right into our phones! Personally, I have had many moments in my life where I didn’t bring a camera and missed an incredible opportunity. I have missed taking photos of some beautiful animals, amazing sunsets, and awe-inspiring landscapes because I just didn’t feel the need to have my gear. Don’t make the same mistakes! Take your camera and equipment with you when you step out that door. You won’t miss an opportunity again.
2) Share your photos!
This might seem silly to mention but I have met people who are too shy or intimidated to share their photos. It’s true that you learn by doing, but if you are learning the wrong lessons with your photography it’ll leave you frustrated. I have discovered a beautiful community of folks on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, my personal website, and many other places. Photography can be a social activity and through sharing your work you’ll also discover some much-needed critiquing along with positive reinforcement. The critiquing can come from professionals just looking to share their expertise with you. If you aren’t receiving that, seek it out! Leave comments on other photographers’ pages and ask them to take a look at what you’re doing. You’ll find many people who are friendly and willing to leave constructive comments on your work.
3) Begin writing a photography blog!
A photography blog is an excellent way to share your journey with others. You can also share your photos this way and because blogs are a longer format than the typical social media post, you’ll probably be able to open up some deeper dialogue with your audience. Plus, a blog will force you to think about what you are striving to achieve with your photography and art. You’ll learn more about the art form, have a wider reach, and have a growing catalog of work, both written and images, that will keep you proud and coming back for more.
4) Challenge yourself with various types of photography styles!
I may be a nature and wildlife photographer now but I started shooting anything I could think of. I even challenged myself in professional situations by getting into real estate photography and product imagery for local shops. I’ve done portraiture, pet photography, and sports photography! I eventually settled down with nature and wildlife photography because I enjoy it the most. However, having experienced all the different ways of utilizing this wonderful art form of ours taught me exceedingly valuable lessons. You’ll learn about lighting, what works and what doesn’t, composition, setting, and more much faster if you are constantly challenging yourself with various types of photography. Maybe you could even schedule a photography style calendar if that’s your thing. You could say that from January until March you’ll study portraiture, from March until May you’ll study landscape photography, and so on… Personally, I would suggest keeping it a bit more fluid and natural. Life will generally take you to where you want to be with your art form. However, some people thrive with more structure. Take your choice. :)
5) Learn how to use different lenses!
The first camera I ever had was a Canon 60D and my first lens was an 18-135mm that came with the camera. I used the thing to death. I used it for everything from portraiture to my attempts at wildlife photography. However, there comes a time when you either need to upgrade your current lens or expand your library of available lenses. Lenses are tools like any other. For wildlife photography, I eventually purchased a Canon 100-400mm L-series lens and got a 1.4 extender, too. That allowed me to shoot at 560mm zoomed all the way in which really opened up wildlife photography. On the flipside, I also purchased a 16-35mm L-series lens for landscape and real estate photography. I might not do real estate photography anymore but this lens opened that door for me. You don’t need to buy L-series glass to expand your lens library either. The very first lens I purchased after having the 18-135mm was a nifty-50, Canon’s 50mm f/1.4. This thing provides an amazing depth of field and it is still one of my favorite lenses. It retails for about $400.00 currently but you could definitely find it cheaper on the used market. Being able to learn what each lens brings to your artistic career will broaden and improve your portfolio. You don’t need to go bankrupt to get good glass either. You can find some amazing deals on eBay and other online sites. Just, please, make sure to be cautious and don’t fall for any too-good-to-be-true scams.
Join me for part 2 on New Year’s Eve!
In the meantime, feel free to leave a comment below and tell me your new year’s resolutions! I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. Check back in a couple of days.