A trick question as this mammal has several names: Woodchuck, Ground Hog and Marmot.

We had a close-up of one this morning at Thomson Park:

Woodchucks hibernate from October to February. Their dens have two or more openings and can be 4 – 5 feet deep and 25 – 30 feet long. Woodchucks feed on tender, succulent plants.

Area views:

Some botany:

Some birds:

Today’s group:

MAILBOX

I received this interesting article from group member Jane French:

BIRDING NEAR AND FARWINGING IT IN COSTA RICA—ANEMERGING BIRDER FLIES SOUTHJANE FRENCH | Miles Hearn

NATURE POETRY

For these little voices: the bee, the fly,
The leaf that taps, the pod that breaks,
The breeze on the grass-tops bending by,
The shrill quick sound that the insect makes.     – Katherine Mansfield (1888–1923)

Miles Hearn