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Roar Like a Lion


Roar Like a Lion
Photo Information
Copyright: Rick Price (Adanac) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 1 N: 5208] (17609)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-05-03
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon 5D MKII, Canon 100-400/4.5-5.6L IS
Exposure: f/13.0, 1/125 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-08-04 19:35
Viewed: 540
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Well not really, this Yellow-bellied Marmot was just trying to wake up near dawn. This image was captured on our trip to Yellowstone in May of this year.

Yellow-bellied Marmot
Marmota flaviventris
>

General Description

By Gustave J. Yaki

The normal range of the Yellow-bellied Marmot or Rockchuck is in the central Rocky Mountain region from northern New Mexico north to extreme southern British Columbia and Alberta.

In Alberta, where it was first recorded in the 1950s and is apparently still expanding its range (possibly as a result of global warming), it has been found in Waterton Lakes National Park, west along the Milk River, at Head-Smashed-in Buffalo Jump Park and north to the southern end of the Porcupine Hills. There is also an extralimital record from Lake Newell. It should be looked for amongst rocky outcrops, (where it can be well camouflaged), especially on the sunny, north side of rivers, north to about Calgary.

Generally larger than the Woodchuck, this species' overall colour is a frosted golden brown. The long underfur is two-toned, black on the bottom, white on top. The longer guard hairs are black with white tips, giving the back a grizzled appearance. The belly is a yellow brown. The legs and feet are rusty. The head is dark with a creamy white bar across the nose and whitish muzzle. The bushy tail is brown above, black below. 1

Measurements of average adult Alberta males are: total length, 631 mm (25.25 in); tail, 169 mm (6.7 in); weight, 3.5 kg (7.7 lb). Females are smaller, lighter, but have longer tails.

In Canada, this species lives at low elevations amidst fragmented cliff edges and crevices, rock outcrops and rocky flats. They are diurnal, active from sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. This species is quite gregarious; many family groups often live together as a colony. The preferred burrow is in the centre of the colony. While others are feeding, sentinels, who are sunning on the rocks, keep alert for a possible predator. If danger threatens, a sharp whistle causes all to dash to the safety of their den, their tails flapping from side to side.

Their food is basically vegetation --grasses and herbaceous plants within a short distance of the security of their rocky domain. They are also reported to occasionally feed upon road-killed carrion.

Mating occurs upon emerging from hibernation, with the young being born in May-June. Well-fed young females may be sexually mature at eleven months. The dominant male evict younger males from the colony as they become sexually mature.
from Weaselhead.org
bobair, Argus, meyerd, thor68, SunToucher, goldyrs, jaycee, boreocypriensis, goatman04, tuslaw, nasokoun, NinaM has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • bobair Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 398 W: 118 N: 1438] (5180)
  • [2009-08-04 20:13]

Hi Rick,
you are my neighbour this evening and have offered up one excellent looking photo to boot.I like the pose you have captured with this shot ,with that yawning mouth and the morning sunlight shining richly on the animal's fur the photo is rich with good details and the use of f/13 gives excellent depth overall where it matters.Those front paws look like they are strong and the animal sure is healthy as well and it is obvious that the groundhogs I have seen are members of this family too.Good note as well and thank you Rick for sharing this sleepy head with us. Bob

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3824 W: 190 N: 11393] (35107)
  • [2009-08-04 21:57]

Hello Rick,
I feel like this Yellow-bellied Marmot as it is 6.30 am here at present!
The POV capturing its yawn is great and taken in excellent early morning lighting with fine sharpness. Interesting to see the inside of the mouth too.
Thanks for sharing this shot of a yawning 'lion'!
All the best,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • meyerd Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 519 W: 68 N: 1700] (5384)
  • [2009-08-04 23:07]

Hi Rick,
it does roar!! Extremely well taken. Thanks for the detailed note.
Best regards
Dietrich

  • Great 
  • thor68 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 792 W: 138 N: 1312] (5642)
  • [2009-08-04 23:36]

geez, that makes me yawn too, no wonder at 8:30 in the morning with a boring work-day ahead.*g*
excellent and technically fine capture, love the pose and the teeth and paws. well done & have a great day, thor.

Interesting position of this marmot.A good picture,nice colours.Regards.Alin.

Hi Rick,
So i've heard that you are the wildlife expert. Evelynn and Jerry told me how extreemly good you are at spotting wildlife and on your technique to capture birds from the car. Jerry was very impressed by it while he thought he had a good eye for spotting wildlife.
I am sure this is one of those great spots. If not the moment you've captured is wonderful. The wake up look is great and its very close to a human expression.
TFS,
Niek

  • Great 
  • zetu Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 652 W: 15 N: 1622] (6301)
  • [2009-08-05 4:37]

Hello Rick
wonderful and cute capture, well done
regards
Razvan

Hahaha!
An amazing shot, with an even more intersting narrative, Rick!
Simply put, an awesome presentation!
Bravo!
Goldy

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2009-08-05 17:17]

Hi Rick,

What a yawn!! A great shot of this Marmot posing on the rock. You show off in great detail his mouth, teeth, beady eye, long nails and coat. Colors and details are wonderful. I love it - especially since I have never seen a Marmot.

Jane

Hi Rick, nice to see you again here after a long break.
A superb timely capture of this funny beauty emitating the lion:)
TFS and cheers MF!
Bayram

Hi Rick,

An excellent shot of this... roaring "yellow-bellied Marmot" with fine details & colors. Great pose & natural rocky habitat. Well done & TFS.

The title was great!

Regards

Umar

  • Great 
  • tuslaw Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 511 W: 20 N: 1392] (4861)
  • [2009-08-06 18:27]

Hello Rick,
You had perfect timing on this fantastic shot. Love the gorgeous orange coloration in it's fur and the very fine detail. Capturing him in his natural habitat as well as in a cute pose make this a special image that we all can enjoy viewing. TFS.
Ron

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2398 W: 94 N: 5543] (17640)
  • [2009-08-07 11:57]

Hello Rick,
Just be back from a few days holiday.
What a superb photo. The frontal POV of the yawning marmot is amazing. The sharpness and details are impressive. Splendid clear colours and a very beautiful composition.
Have a good weekend,
Peter

hello Rick
exceptional moment and presentation
TFS
Nasos

  • Great 
  • NinaM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 801 W: 3 N: 2100] (6596)
  • [2009-10-06 8:59]

Hi Rick! This Mark II camera does wonder in your hands! What a fantastic picture with such great colours. The clarity and sharpness are stunning, you are really doing fine. I am happy to look at all your pictures, please keep on doing it! Thanks!

Francine

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