Uinta Chipmunks cuddling on a cool fall morning – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
On my most recent trip to the Wasatch Mountains, I relished the fall colors, a Ruffed Grouse, and a pair of cuddly Uinta Chipmunks. I see and photograph Least Chipmunks far more often than I do Uinta Chipmunks. I adored seeing this pair of chipmunks, especially since they were being cuddly with each other.
Two Uinta Chipmunks in a chokecherry – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The chipmunk on the left must have had some food item stored in its cheek pouch because it started nibbling on something while the other chipmunk looked on.
Cuddling Uinta Chipmunks – Nikon D500, f10, 1/640, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
After the chipmunk on the right was through eating it didn’t take long before these two were cuddling each other again.
Nuzzling Uinta Chipmunks – Nikon D500, f10, 1/640, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I loved seeing the chipmunk on the right softly nuzzling the other one as they perched precariously on the limbs of the chokecherry.
Cuddly Uinta Chipmunks – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
And then to my surprise they rubbed their furry little heads together while the chipmunk on the right reached out to the other one with its tiny paw.
It might be anthropomorphizing, but it appeared to me that these small creatures enjoyed each other’s touch. Much like most humans need and enjoy being touched.
Uinta Chipmunk in a chokecherry – Nikon D500, f10, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
When one of the Uinta Chipmunks took off to forage for food this one stayed perched on the chokecherry branch for a bit.
Uinta Chipmunk foraging in a chokecherry – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The other chipmunk had run up the chokecherry in search of food and it didn’t take long before it found some overripe chokecherries.
Peek-a-boo Uinta Chipmunk – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
When the other chipmunk moved up the tree I followed it through my viewfinder thinking it might do something cute. When the tiny creature stopped moving it looked like the chipmunk was playing peek-a-boo.
Uinta Chipmunk sniffing a chokecherry – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
It looked like it was playing peek-a-boo again when it stretched out to sniff a ripe chokecherry. An American Robin flew into the chokecherry and both the Uinta Chipmunks scurried away when it landed.
It was so much fun to photograph these chipmunks, and seeing the pictures at home made me smile, laugh, and experience those moments once more.
Life is good.
Mia
I am 98.9% certain these are Uinta Chipmunks because they both have dark ears, their tails have orange and black fur, with a paler fringe of hair on the underside and their outermost stripes are white bordered by brown, not black, as they would be with Least Chipmunks.
Click here to see more of my Uinta Chipmunk photos plus facts and information about this species.
The Wizard of Awww’s strikes again! What a wonderful, wonderful, series of pics. Extraordinary detail and the framing is perfect. Thanks Mia.
Wonderful images as always 🙏🥰
Adorable!
So sweet. I do think that a variety of organisms thrive on touch — or whatever passes for touch for their species — and seek it out.
Heart melters.
This week’s winner for too cute, Mia!
Wow Mia, this set just might be my all time favorites! Chipmunks are great little creatures and the way this pair exhibited such affection just shows how the animal world has greater feelings than most of us realize! Well done!!