Groundhog in the forest

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Groundhog in the forest

April 17, 2021 by Mike Powell

I was a little shocked last week at Prince William Forest Park, when I spotted a groundhog (Marmota monax) scampering down a trail heading right towards me as I was resting on a log. The groundhog must have sensed my presence, because it suddenly stopped, sniffed the air, and headed back in the direction from which it had come.

When I first detected the animal coming my way, I thought it might be a bear cub. Yes, I know that it is the wrong color and shape for a bear cub, but I had seen the signs at the park entrance to be aware of bears. According to news report, wildlife cameras at the park detected a black bear coming out of hibernation in February of this year. It may look like I was pretty far away from the groundhog, but I actually took this photo with the same 180mm macro lens that I used to photograph yesterday’s small dragonfly.

I thought about rewording the first paragraph that I had also used on a Facebook posting, but decided to leave it untouched. Several of my friends suggested that the groundhog might have gotten closer if I had taken a shower—I definitely left myself open for that interpretation by the way that I worded the last sentence of the first paragraph. I have always felt that it is good to be able to laugh at yourself—as someone once noted, it guarantees that you will have an endless source of humor.

Posted in animals, Nature, Photography, spring, wildlife | Tagged Canon 50D, groundhog, marmota monax, Prince William Forest Park, Tamron 180mm, Triangle VA, woodchuck | 14 Comments

14 Responses

on April 17, 2021 at 8:33 am | Reply picpholio

Indeed not it’s normal habitat 🙂
on April 17, 2021 at 8:57 am | Reply Dan Antion

Great photos of the little chunk. I’m glad you have a strong sense of humor, Mike. I think that’s essential.
- on April 17, 2021 at 9:00 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Dan. Life is too short to be serious, in my humble opinion. I think we have similar philosophies in that regard.
  - on April 17, 2021 at 9:37 am Dan Antion
    
    We do.
on April 17, 2021 at 9:19 am | Reply Steve Gingold

I wonder if that’s Alan?
- on April 17, 2021 at 9:50 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Initially I did not get the joke, Steve, but then I clicked the link and totally cracked up as I watched the video. Thanks for brightening my day, Steve.
  - on April 17, 2021 at 12:15 pm Steve Gingold
    
    Glad you enjoyed it, Mike. There is a longer version but I usually try to share shorter links so to not take too much of someone’s time.
  - on April 17, 2021 at 3:46 pm Mike Powell
    
    I loved it.
on April 17, 2021 at 1:22 pm | Reply John Hric

Glad you were wrong on the bear cub. One would not want mama to be following close behind the little one. That would really test your sense of humor. Thanks Mike.
- on April 17, 2021 at 3:33 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  I was getting ready to move quickly–I use do not want to mess with a mama bear.
on April 17, 2021 at 9:27 pm | Reply sv-anui.com

Fun shots and I too went to YouTube to check out Alan! 😄
- on April 18, 2021 at 7:04 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  I am going to guess, Chris, that you laughed as hard as I did. 🙂
on April 18, 2021 at 7:18 am | Reply Patricia M Osborne

Great photos, Michael.
- on April 18, 2021 at 8:02 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Tricia.