Originally published in The Mountain Connection, July 2001

If you sit quietly on the talus slopes in the Rocky Mountains above timberline, after awhile you'll become aware of a lot of activity among the boulders. You start to notice animals with thick brown fur, a light yellow on their bellies, scurrying about the rocks. Closer examination will reveal that these animals are munching on the summer grasses growing in the boulder fields.

This animal is the yellow-bellied marmot. It a very large member of the rodent family, growing to 14 to 20 inches long, and 5 to 10 pounds. It vaguely resembles the groundhog, to which it is distantly related. Its thick coat is well suited to its habitat. Although it can be found in meadows in lower elevations, its preferred home is the boulder fields of the alpine tundra.

Marmots are relatively easy to spot. They like to sit on top of boulders, apparently sunning themselves. These seats also make good observation points, and they will warn each other of approaching danger with a series of high pitched calls.

Boulder fields are the perfect environment for marmots, as the rocks provide good den sites, and the grasses that they feed on are abundant during the summer. Because of their high altitude habitats, marmots have evolved a strategy of spending much of the year hibernating.

Marmots usually start to appear in March or April, depending on how quickly spring arrives. Breeding occurs during this period, and the babies emerge from the den about a month later. They grow very rapidly and are full grown by the end of August. Whole families can often be seen sunning and feeding during the summer near their den. Marmots return to their den to hibernate by September or October and won't be seen again until the following year.

There are good areas to observe and photograph them very close to home. If you take the road up Mount Evans, you will be able to spot them almost anywhere above timberline. You can also watch marmots on the Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park, especially at the turnouts at Forest Canyon Overlook and the Rock Cut. This road is usually open by Memorial Day.

Use a relatively long lens of 300-400 mm so as not to intrude on them and you will be able to get good photographs. The best times to watch and photograph their activities are usually in the early morning and late afternoon when they are most active. They tend to move back into their dens during the heat of the day to nap.

So, utilize a little patience and quiet, and your reward may be to watch this resident of the high country.