
A family of Columbian Ground Squirrels came out on a rock to scold me as I hiked down the Pacific Crest Trail in Pasayten Wilderness Area. (G. Thomas Bancroft)
The “bird-like” chirp
Rung across the meadow
Persistent chirp, chirp, chirp
What was it?
I stop to look
Stand very still so
It does not stop
For I am the danger
There, in the long grass
The head of a squirrel
Out on a rock pops another
Smaller than the first
Mother, the first, scurries
Arrives on the rock
Stands alert on hindquarters
Mouth open, chirp, chirp, chirp
Reddish brown on nose, feet, haunches
White-speckled brown, black, and gray fur elsewhere
Front feet folded, puppy like
Chirp, chirp, chirp
Three half size ones join Mum
One is shy and leaves
Two look to where the danger
Chirp, chirp goes mum
One young rises on hindquarters
Looks at mum
Where is the danger, Mum
Boredom sets in
Young leave, Mum gives up
I walk on down the path
Past the rock and meadow
Columbian Ground Squirrel been seen
Good day in the Pasayten Wilderness
I rounded a corner on the trail in the Pasayten Wilderness to hear a persistent “chirp chirp”. It took me several minutes to locate from where the “chirping” was coming. The mother was standing amongst thick grass, looking straight at me. Three young kept coming out on a rock, looking around and then scurrying back into the bush. After about 5 minutes the mother, hurried down to the rock where she took up an upright stand and continued the “chirp chirp”. The young joined her but appeared to not recognize me as a danger. They kept looking around and staring at the mother. It was great to watch.
WONDERFUL