The yellow-bellied marmot is a member of the squirrel family that around here lives in rocky areas at high altitude. If you drive up Trail Ridge Road (highest continuous road in the country), you'll see lots of marmots sunning themselves on the rocks.



Today, I discovered we have our very own marmot living in the woodpile. He was up on top sunning himself today. He's a very good-sized animal, probably weighs about 30 pounds.



I don't know enough about these animals. As far as I can tell, they come out of their burrow to gather dandelions and cow parsley and other vegetation to eat, and spend a lot of time basking in the sun.

But what else? Do they dig up the lawn? Do they seek out garden vegetables? Do they attack people?

And where did this marmot come from? They usually live in colonies, so where is the rest of the family? Did he waddle over the top of the mountain?

I doubt he's going to replace the fox or our friend Quackers the goose in our hearts, but it's something to distract us.