Yellow-bellied Marmot in the high Uintas, Uinta Mountains, Uinta National Forest, Summit County, UtahYellow-bellied Marmot in the high Uintas – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/2000, ISO 500, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Last week I showed my friend Steve Mirror Lake Highway in the Uinta Mountains and I was able to put him on a lifer Yellow-bellied Marmot. Actually we photographed two of the adult marmots in the same area. I looked around for baby marmots but couldn’t find any. That was okay though.

Yellow-bellied Marmot in the Uinta Mountains, Uinta National Forest, Summit County, UtahYellow-bellied Marmot in the Uinta Mountains – Nikon D500, f8, 1/800, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I don’t know about anyone else but I always feel happy when I point out a lifer bird or animal for people. That feeling is amplified times ten when that person is a dear friend.

The two marmots kept both of us occupied and then we switched our attention to a Green-tailed Towhee that popped into view on a sagebrush for a bit. When the towhee wasn’t in view we photographed the marmots some more.

I was close enough to take portraits of the two marmots and didn’t want to take my teleconverter off to get full body images.

Adult Yellow-bellied Marmot in the Uinta National Forest, Uinta Mountains, Uinta National Forest, Summit County, UtahAdult Yellow-bellied Marmot in the Uinta National Forest – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1250, ISO 500, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

These two adult Yellow-bellied Marmots looked much healthier than the adult marmots I have seen at lower elevations this spring. Those adult marmots in the lower elevations appeared to have mange. These two had healthy coats.

I’m delighted that I was able to show my friend Steve these marmots and the beauty of the Uinta Mountains. I got to enjoy his company and that of his dog Rosie too. Rosie is a sweetie and so is Steve!

Life is good.

Mia

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