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
Wonderful to start a day with beauty. It brought many smiles.