Earlier this month, I was sitting on the steps enjoying the sunshine and the birds singing when, all of a sudden, I spotted a Baird’s Pocket Gopher in the yard.

Baird's Pocket Gopher in Oklahoma, Marshall CountyBaird’s Pocket Gopher in Oklahoma – Nikon D500, f10, 1/1600, ISO 640, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

The pocket gopher had already dug three burrows and was working on its fourth when I saw it. I quickly went inside, grabbed my camera, rested it on the railing, and started taking photos.

The gopher was so close that all I could do was take portraits of it, but only in the extremely brief moments I could see its head.

This gopher didn’t like the sound of my shutter. Whenever it heard the click, it ducked back down below the mounds of sand.

Baird's Pocket Gopher in Marshall County, OklahomaBaird’s Pocket Gopher in Marshall County – Nikon D500, f10, 1/1600, ISO 640, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I wasn’t sure which pocket gopher I photographed, so I relied on the people using iNaturalist to help me with the identification. Thankfully, a professor and biologist named Russell Pfau, who has been focusing on Geomys (gophers) in North America, came to my assistance.

The area where I live and photographed this pocket gopher is rural and very under-iNatted. I’m grateful that Professor Pfau helped me with the identification.

After I took a few photos of this gopher, I went back inside because I didn’t want to disturb the creature. It dug one more burrow and then disappeared. I haven’t seen it since.

Up until that day, I had never had a pocket gopher in my viewfinder. It was actually exciting for me. I’m glad I decided to take photos of the gopher that day; who knows how long it might be before I can focus on one of them again!

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my mammal photos plus facts and information about them in my galleries.