One might never tire of watching a woodchuck waddle away,
but it’s a special thrill to sit upon its path some inviting spring morning
when it might come curiously close,
as if face to face with an old friend,
returning along its well-worn way.
.
.
April 8, 2012 at 10:14 am
Patience and…what kind of camera/lens gets you so up-close-and-personal?
April 9, 2012 at 11:17 am
The Canon PowerShot SX130. No attachments, lenses, or anything. In this case, the woodchuck is literally at my feet and knees … not even enough time to snap away & retract the zoom as it approached!
March 27, 2012 at 5:56 am
He looks hungry!
March 27, 2012 at 9:31 pm
Luckily he was on the way back from munching on leafy buds and didn’t try to take a nip out of me!
March 27, 2012 at 9:33 pm
I’ve seen thos little buggers decimate a perennial garden over night. A real eating machine!
March 26, 2012 at 11:58 am
OMGooodness–such a cute little face. We had one in our carriage house last year — in town!!
March 26, 2012 at 5:28 pm
Ah, crafty! Was cute enough for rent?
March 25, 2012 at 10:20 pm
What a great encounter! Ones I’ve run across tend to be shy, unfortunately.
March 26, 2012 at 5:31 pm
Usually ours get shy right quick when detecting movement. Once this one made me out, it bolted!
But, still wanting to get by, it returned, cautiously, and chose the lower path around me.
March 25, 2012 at 2:17 pm
Scott, these shots are awesome! Felt like I was right there sitting on the ground being introduced to Mr. Groundhog… We have one living under our shed each Summer. He won’t let us get so close, but he will accept some celery, potatoes or discarded tomatoes. 🙂 If I say to Kodi, “Check on your ground hog” he runs right to the shed and the borrow that’s exposed. 🙂
March 25, 2012 at 6:19 pm
Thanks, Robin! Mr. G was approaching so quickly–I was happy the pictures turned out.
I wonder if your hog hibernates under your shed too. Kodi sounds so cool!
March 25, 2012 at 10:54 am
I have a before and after of my flower beds once a woodchuck took up residency in our yard last year, ha. Cute but they are ratting machines! I don’t use harsh chemicals and the grounds are generally unmaniqured so the wildlife seems to feel safe here. Also being one street over from a park helps too with what we have seen walking around 😉
March 25, 2012 at 6:11 pm
Well, I can just imagine what a woodchuck could do with some flower beds. But it’s nice that you don’t hold it against them and provide a welcoming place to visit!
March 24, 2012 at 10:14 pm
Enjoyed what you wrote and the pictures are great!
March 25, 2012 at 5:58 pm
Any friend of Bean is a friend of mine. Glad you found your way to some lcc.
March 24, 2012 at 8:00 pm
I love me a groundhog!! I had one in my backyard for a while. I named him Gareth. It got too busy and he moved. I miss him!!
March 25, 2012 at 5:56 pm
Gareth is such a perfect name for a groundhog — I almost miss him myself!
March 23, 2012 at 9:37 am
Cute photo series & words Scott. How awesome for him to come towards you to investigate. Thanks for also sharing the link jump in your comments, I hope you have little ones to follow and share with us this season!
March 24, 2012 at 8:39 pm
Thanks for checking out the link, Donna. I hope to see some little ones, too. You know, I’ve read that a groundhog has great senses. But, as long as I keep still here on LCC, one would scurry right over my toes without seeming to know I’m there.
March 23, 2012 at 7:37 am
Scott,
Well, you know how I feel about this fellow…♥♥♥♥♥♥ Thanks for yet another wonderful photo entry!
March 24, 2012 at 8:31 pm
I thought you’d like this one. The other day at C-dawg’s place, there were two pig whistlers sniffing around the steep slope paying us no mind whatsoever. Unusual.
March 23, 2012 at 5:05 am
Fantastic photographs. He’s a very handsome chap!
March 23, 2012 at 7:36 pm
Agreed. Cheers!
March 22, 2012 at 8:47 pm
very poetic!
March 23, 2012 at 7:33 pm
Thanks … Somehow trying to say a lot in a few words is coming out that way.
March 22, 2012 at 8:38 pm
Great photos. When I lived in Michigan I would sometimes see woodchucks, but we don’t have them in Seattle.
March 23, 2012 at 7:30 pm
Thanks … do you miss ’em?
March 22, 2012 at 5:16 pm
VERY COOL! thanks for sharing
March 22, 2012 at 7:38 pm
My pleasure, as ever, thanks for reading!
March 22, 2012 at 4:44 pm
These are great pictures! I can’t believe you got so close.
March 22, 2012 at 7:38 pm
Thanks, Em! I think the trick was letting the woodchuck get close to me. I just sat there, still and quiet, for a while. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to know what goes where and when.
March 22, 2012 at 4:29 pm
Nice pictures! We don’t have woodchucks around here, but I would love to see one someday.
March 22, 2012 at 7:22 pm
Thanks, Susan! I didn’t realize the limits of their range concerning the west coast. Here, I’m looking forward to when the little ones start running around: http://wp.me/pTk4o-fQ
March 22, 2012 at 4:11 pm
Never seen one so close! He looks like a charming fellow indeed.
March 22, 2012 at 7:14 pm
I’d say he is. Of course, he might eat your veggie garden, but I’m sure he doesn’t mean any harm.