Monday, February 2, 2009

An Odd Fellow, the Groundhog!

Once again, you will find the Odd Shots details by clicking the Odd Shots camera in my sidebar. I will try to get Mr. Linky going, but as there has been quite a bit of trouble with Mr. Linky lately, if he is not present, then let us know you have participated by leaving a comment. Do leave a comment anyway--we love to hear from you.








These are actually marmots. Marmots are a cousin of the groundhog, the oddest weather prognosticator known to man. Their habits are similar.
These guys wake up and head out in the late spring to eat.
They eat and eat and eat and eat. (Marmots themselves are not known to predict the weather--they just eat.) When they have finished eating, well, they eat some more.
They might stop to look around to find --
well--
something to eat.
Early in the summer these critters are sleek and svelt. That's before all that eating.
By the time the snow begins to fly, they are chubby little critters, haveing eaten theri way through the entire summer. And just like we do after the Thanksgiving turkey, they are ready for a nap.
A nap that lasts till the following spring.
The groundhog follows a similar ritual, emerging February 2--probably to see if there is anything to eat. The weather thing is jsut extra.




17 comments:

Lene said...

Ohhh yes - he is an Odd litle fellow :) And he is really cute too :) Great Odd Shot, Katney :)

I have joined your bunch of "Odd friends" for the first time :)

Raquel Sabino Pereira said...

Dear Katney, I have never seen such a CUTE little animal in my Life!!!!!

Raquel Sabino Pereira said...

Forgot to say «WELCOME LENE»! This is a fantastic group of odd-shooters!! LOOOLLL!!!!

Poopsie aka Blue said...

Really interesting - wondered about Groundhog Day!

Jane Hards Photography said...

On of my all time favourite films. Cute shots and great info. Fascinating creatures when you think about it.

Anonymous said...

I think there may be a bit of procreation going on also.

Dragonstar said...

I like that marmot's way of thinking!

Rune Eide said...

He looks like a begging bear! But I suppose he is a trifle smaller...

A real performing artist.

Gattina said...

Reminds me of Mr. Gattino. eat eat eat and then sleep ! lol

Mamapippa ... said...

Lovely animal !

Sandi McBride said...

That is so funny! I am going to email this to my Granddaughter Arianna who will find it fascinating and a wonderful read...I'm sure of it!
Sandi

PERBS said...

I have never seen one. . . well maybe I have now that I think about it. We used to feed them down by the creek here but a law came out against doing it because they were an invasive species and they got rid of allof them. I had forgotten their name but there is a sign about not feeding them if they re-appear because they are not native to our area.

Unknown said...

You got several great captures of this animal.

becky aka theRAV said...

I have never understood how the groundhogs see their shadows anyway. I just look for for winter weather & be done with it. This was interesting. I have mine up now. Tell me what you think.

Anonymous said...

For me they are very weird. Never seen them in my lifetime. I'll send the link to my granddaughter...

postie said...

You forgot to let us know ....Did the ground hog see his shadow today? Are we in for 6 more weeks of winter?
Did the Marmot see his shadow? I need spring now !!!

Ice Pony Girl said...

Cute chubby tummy!