Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Gopher

When I arrived home yesterday after a morning's walk at the Erlton/Roxboro Natural Area in the city, I noticed a pale brown 'shape' at the side of my front steps. When I zoomed in with my camera, I realized it was a Richardson's Ground Squirrel, aka Gopher! I've never seen one in my area before!I wonder how long it has been there, or if it has decided to stay under my steps. I have visions of a whole burrow system being created, which would not be good, even though they are cute little animals, lol! I guess I had better keep an eye on it. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richardson%27s_ground_squirrel Yesterday, 27 July 2017. I decided to get up early and do a repeat botany walk at the Erlton/Roxboro Natural Area, not far from downtown. One of the reasons I did this, was that I really dislike doing this drive, especially knowing that I could so easily end up in the downtown area - which I avoid at all cost. So, a bit like getting back on a horse if one is thrown off, I hoped a second drive might make me feel more comfortable. Also, I really wanted to hopefully see a Wild European Rabbit or two, and sure enough, they didn't disappoint. Black and white, plain black, light brown, mid-brown. A few more photos of the Nodding/Musk Thistles were also on my mind. The Erlton/Roxboro Natural Area, not far from downtown Calgary, is the richest botanical area, for its size, within the city. Over 385 species have been recorded in an area of about three hectares. (All of Fish Creek Provincial Park has only about 460 species). Eighty species, however, are aliens, now occupying 90+% of the area. It is such a shame to see how the area is being devastated by plants that include Baby's Breath, Creeping Thistle, Nodding Thistle, Yellow Clematis and other invasive species. We are still under a Heat Warning. This morning, I happened to check the forecast for the coming week and, so far, the temperatures for next Thursday and Friday are 35C and 34C. The average high for the month of July is 22.9C. There are fire bans in many places in Alberta, as everywhere is bone dry.

Just adding five extra photos tonight, trying to catch up a little, otherwise I will never get back to the last two days of my Trinidad images. Will post three photos tomorrow morning. This photo was taken in the evening of 27 May 2017, when a group of us (13?) got together at Frank Lake for a celebration of spring. Great company and great picnic food. Even a few birds to photograph, and this very cute baby Richardson's Ground Squirrel, who decided to join us while we ate. Sunshine, too, until it was time to go home, when the heavens opened and down came the rain, accompanied by streaks of lightning. Thanks, Brenda, for organizing this event that went so smoothly and was most enjoyable!

Three days ago, on 17 August 2016, I drove my painfully noisy vehicle for just a very short distance, as far as a local park. Each year, I tend to visit the area to look for any mushrooms, and I knew that I just couldn't miss a quick visit. Found a few fungi to photograph, so I was happy. Then I remembered that I had found mushrooms in a different part of the park in other years, so yesterday, I risked an even shorter drive to see what I could find. Everywhere was quite dry and I saw quite a few shrivelled fungi. Luckily, I came across a few that were fresher and worth photographing. So dark in the forest and many photos were not as sharp as I would have liked. At the end of my walk, I sat at a picnic table near the parking lot and kept an eye on all the large holes in the ground, made by Richardson's Ground Squirrels. I was just about ready to give up, when I happened to look down close to my feet and there was one solitary 'Gopher' three or four feet away from me. They are such fun to watch. Returned home without running into a Police car, which could very easily have pulled me over because of the dreadful noise my car is making. Today, 20 August 2016, is day 12 since ordering my new car .... sigh. "The Richardson’s ground squirrel is commonly called the prairie gopher, yellow gopher, flicker tail or picket pin. It was named after the naturalist John Richardson who first collected specimens of the rodent in the early 1820’s. Ground squirrels play an important role in the ecology of Alberta’s wildlife. Ground squirrels are a major source of food for many predatory birds, mammals and reptiles. One species of raptor, the ferruginous hawk, depends almost entirely on ground squirrels to fledge their chicks. Similarly, many other species rely on ground squirrels as a major food source. The population status of Richardson’s ground squirrels varies from year to year but is generally rated as “not at risk.” Richardson’s ground squirrels are also unregulated, which means they can be lawfully shot, trapped or otherwise removed where permitted. Richardson’s ground squirrels spend the majority of their life underground. In their underground burrow system, they usually mate, raise their litters for the first 28 days and avoid predators (except weasels and badgers) and inclement weather (heat, cold and rain). They sleep underground from just before sunset until shortly after sunrise and hibernate for up to eight months in their burrows." Taken from link below. www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex3471

This little Richardson's Ground Squirrel (commonly called a Gopher) bounded across the grass at the Union Cemetery, through which I usually drive after walking round the Reader Rock Garden. It took shelter under this fallen gravestone when it saw my car, but then emerged for a few seconds, just long enough for me to grab a shot or two. Can't believe how few photos of these cute animals I have on my photostream.

This little native Richardson's Ground Squirrel (also incorrectly called a Gopher by most people) looked in a completely "wrong" environment when we saw it on March 29th. I hope s/he was able to find its burrow again. My photos of these little guys normally show bright green grass : ) Photographed down at Sikome, Fish Creek Park. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richardson's_ground_squirrel

We saw this lone Richardson's Ground Squirrel at Sikome, Fish Creek Park, yesterday, looking very out of place in the deep snow : ) Poor thing, I hope he managed to find his burrow again and will stay there till spring has really arrived. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richardson's_ground_squirrel

We saw this huddle of teeny Richardson's Ground Squirrels at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary yesterday. People also call these animals Gophers. They haven't had time yet to learn what humans are, so only dart down into their burrow at the very last minute when you approach. They provide food for wildlife such as "my" family of Great Horned Owls.

Took this photo of two young Richardson Ground Squirrels on 12th June, down by Sikome Lake, Fish Creek Park. Such funny little creatures to watch.

I posted a couple of other photos in this "series" quite a while ago, but came across this one when looking though my less recent photos. These baby Gophers are so beautiful and I just hope that none of them became dinner for the family of Great Horned Owls that live just a few feet away!

I spent about an hour or an hour and a half yesterday just watching this family of Ground Squirrels. There was no sign of my Great Horned Owl family in their grove of trees - more roadworks going on just a few feet away from their trees, which may have had some effect. So, my camera turned to these furry little creatures. This one was in the middle of making its tiny screeching sound and I found its expression rather amusing! Actually, I burst out laughing when I saw the photo on my computer!!!

These are funny little animals to watch and I'm sure that most people don't stop to watch their antics. Those long, sharp claws come in handy for digging their many underground burrows.

Such funny little creatures - I guess they provide MANY meals for the local Coyotes and Birds of Prey!

The body language and antics of these little Gophers (Ground Squirrels) are always amusing. Some serious claws!

I came across these four very young Gophers (Richardson's Groundsquirrels) on my walk to see "my " baby Great Horned Owl this afternoon. I was able to get quite close - these innocent little things simply froze. I guess they have a lot to learn, as their parents disappear down into the burrow like a shot. When I was back home, a friend phoned to say that if I wanted to get some really good shots, I should go where he had just been - a picnic area in another part of the park. He said he had seen young Gophers who froze and in fact he was able to gently reach out and stroke one of them. I said that I had just been taking photos of other little ones. The way nature works, though, is that these cute little animals will perhaps provide "my" Great Horned Owls with a few meals!

Another photo of a family of baby Groundsquirrels. I think I must have been standing in a slight dip of the ground, as I certainly was kneeling or flat on my stomach! It's funny how they freeze when you get closer. I guess they just haven't learned yet that certain things can hurt them. I liked the little guy at the back in this photo, staring in my direction.

How they must love us human beings!

These animals are everywhere - and I mean everywhere! Their burrows dot areas of grass, making it a little treacherous for walking. They are quite cute to watch.