January 21st is Squirrel Appreciation Day around the globe. There are many reasons to appreciate these furry, four legged, cute creatures.

Baby Uinta Ground Squirrel calling from a rock, Wasatch Mountains, Summit County, UtahBaby Uinta Ground Squirrel calling from a rock

Squirrels come in many shapes and sizes and there are ground and tree squirrels. While the Eastern Gray Squirrel is probably the most well known squirrel in North America there are many other species that are native across the continent.

In northern Utah I don’t see many squirrels in the yard where I live. I truly appreciate the ones I have seen at home and on my travels to find birds to photograph. When I see a squirrel I stop to take photos, why wouldn’t I?

The squirrel species I photograph most often, Uinta Ground Squirrels, are only above ground a few months of the year. I photograph Uinta Ground Squirrels in the Wasatch and Uinta Mountain ranges when they come up in the spring until they head back underground.

I also photograph Rock Squirrels, Red Squirrels, and White-tailed Antelope Squirrels less often. I would love to have a Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel in my viewfinder and Northern Flying Squirrels too!

Stretching Least Chipmunk on an old fence post, Wasatch Mountains, Morgan County, UtahStretching Least Chipmunk on an old fence post

Tree and ground squirrels are not the only members of the Sciuridae or squirrel family. Chipmunks are also in the same family. In Utah I have photographed Least and Uinta Chipmunks. There are two more chipmunks in Utah that I have yet to take images of which are Paiute and Cliff Chipmunks.

Yellow-bellied Marmot pups playing near their burrow, Box Elder County, UtahYellow-bellied Marmot pups playing near their burrow

Yellow-bellied Marmots and prairie dogs are members of the squirrel family too. Regular viewers of my blog know I can’t resist photographing marmots when I find them and the same is true about prairie dogs although I see them less often than marmots.

All members of the squirrel family draw my attention as soon as I spot them. Some members of the squirrel family help with reforestation, aeration, and seed dispersal. There are over 250 species of squirrels in the world on five continents. Squirrels can be found in cities, parks, suburbs, deserts, mountains, and forests. By storing their food, also known as caching, squirrels help with fruit, tree, plant, and mushroom renewal. Some are considered pests by ranchers, farmers and even homeowners.

Me? I appreciate them all and love taking photos of them whenever I can. If that makes me squirrelly in some folks eyes well I am 100% okay with that. I am nuts about squirrels.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my squirrel photos in my mammal photo galleries.