Monday, September 3, 2012

Tamias


I was walking across the yard toward the barn when this little creature and I spotted each other.  He stopped just short of the downspout and posed for me.  It was as though he was saying, "Take a good look; you were wrong."  So I was, for I saw the animal zip into the downspout a few days ago and I thought it was a thirteen lined ground squirrel, for we have had them in the yard for some time.  Though sometimes referred to as a "ground squirrel," this one is an eastern chipmunk.
I snapped the picture, took one more step toward the barn door, and like a flash he was gone  up the drain.

13 comments:

John Cowart said...

I have never seen a chipmunk here in Florida, only up in Maryland; I think they are one of God's cutest animals.

Beautiful photo, Vanilla.

Shelly said...

He was most cooperative, and cute!

Vee said...

Cute! I did not know chipmunks were native to Indiana. Here the chipmunks are as close as the Garden of the Gods, but I've never seen one here in our complex.

Secondary Roads said...

He's a cute little guy. Reckon does he sing like Alvin?

vanilla said...

John, thanks; they are cute little critters!

Shelly, he posed very nicely.

Vee, "cute" seems to be the adjective of choice today. I remember seeing chipmunks in Cheyenne Canyon. These are a different variety.

Chuck, haven't heard him sing, but I hope not.

Anonymous said...

I had to look up 13-lined ground squirrel - that is an interesting critter. I've never seen one or even heard of it.

All the chipmunks I've ever seen were way smaller than a squirrel...and they are speedy little devils...

Anonymous said...

I would consider myself very lucky to get a picture like that.

vanilla said...

Grace, chipmunks are much smaller than squirrels, even the grey squirrel. Our largest squirrel in this area is the fox squirrel. The 13-lined ground squirrel is very small, perhaps even smaller than a chipmunk.

Anon, I did indeed feel very lucky to have the creature pose for me!

Lin said...

I love chipmunks, but we also don't have them in our yard. Those who do, curse them for some reason or another. I just like how they run with their tails held high in the air.

vanilla said...

Lin, they are burrowing critters, so maybe your acquaintances fear their horses will step in a hole?

vanilla said...

Lin, they are burrowing critters, so maybe your acquaintances fear their horses will step in a hole?

Sharkbytes said...

Yep, a genuine chipmunk. Cute little marauders.

vanilla said...

Sharkey, yes, they are cute.