Yellow-bellied Marmot sticking out its tongueYellow-bellied Marmot sticking out its tongue – Nikon D500, f9, 1/800, ISO 250, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light

I had a great time photographing a roadside Yellow-bellied Marmot yesterday in northern Utah and the marmot was very cooperative. So cooperative that I took way, way too many images of it. But, I figure since I don’t have many opportunities with marmots I should take the photos when I can.

And if they make me laugh like this Yellow-bellied Marmot sticking out its tongue, all the better! This photo also shows the marmots feet and long nails that this species uses for digging into the earth. This was taken without my teleconverter on.

Yellow-bellied Marmot close upYellow-bellied Marmot close up – Nikon D500, f9, 1/640, ISO 320, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

And I just can’t resist portraits of my subjects when I can take them without disturbing my subjects so I put my teleconverter back on and took this close up of the marmot while it looked around next to the rocks its burrow is in.

Yellow-bellied Marmot about to yawnYellow-bellied Marmot about to yawn – Nikon D500, f10, 1/320, ISO 320, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light

The marmot crawled up a rock from the grasses and laid itself down on a rock and for a bit it seemed like it was going to go to sleep. Out loud I said “Please yawn” and the next thing I knew it was yawning.

Yawning Yellow-bellied MarmotYawning Yellow-bellied Marmot – Nikon D500, f10, 1/250, ISO 320, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light

Of course the marmot didn’t listen to me and I’m not a “whisperer” of any kind, but it was nice that the marmot yawned when it did. Looks at those long teeth!

Yellow-bellied Marmot eating grass portraitYellow-bellied Marmot eating grass portrait – Nikon D500, f9, 1/800, ISO 320, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

When the marmot moved off of the rocks and started to nibble on spring grasses I put my teleconverter back on and took many more close ups of it while it was eating.

I just can’t resist Yellow-bellied Marmots.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Yellow-bellied Marmot photos plus facts and information about this species.