We've been pretty busy lately, but have been birding here and there and adding a few more state birds (like Red-necked Grebe, Wilson's Warbler, Warbling Vireo, and MacGillivray's Warbler). While birding, we typically come across mammals, and in the past few days, we've encountered a number of cute baby mammals. In addition, most trees have now leafed out, so the combination of baby animals and leafy trees is a pretty good sign that we are leaving bad weather behind us until the fall.
In Idaho, the most common mammals we have come across while birding are Mule Deer, Coyotes, Yellow-bellied Marmots, and Red Fox. At Discovery Park just south of Boise, Idaho, a trio of Yellow-belled Marmot babies have emerged, and hang out near the paved path eating grass. Yellow-bellied Marmots,
Marmota flaviventris, are 1 of the 6 species of marmots found in North America (in the east, we have "Groundhogs,"
Marmota monax-also known as Woodchucks). Typically, Yellow-bellied Marmots have 4 pups, and only about half survive. At the park, the babies are getting a little more wary as they get older, but for now you can take photos from a distance until mom or the oldest baby realizes you are watching.
This baby looks like the runt of the litter...cute overload!
an older but still cute baby
The third baby marmot..looking more like an obese squirrel than a marmot
baby marmot
Across the dam at Foote Park this morning, we came across this adorable baby Red Fox. We had seen an adult in the area a few weeks ago, but this is the first time we saw one of its babies. It was hiding in a storm drainage, likely waiting for its mom to return. It had no fear of us, and it was very young, so I think this is one of the first times its been out of its den.
baby Red Fox
Meanwhile, birds are nesting and some already have fledged chicks. At Foote Park, there are a number of American Robin nests that are easily observed, and Bullock's Orioles are hard at work constructing their intricately designed hanging basket nests. Females build most of the nest, but males are known to help out. Today we watched a female hard at work adding thin material to her nest.
American Robins feeding chicks at nest
female Bullock's Oriole constructing nest
In another area of the park, a young male Bullock's Oriole was constructing a nest that is nearing completion. You can only really see his tail in the photo, but this nest is a good example of the shape of a completed nest. This one will be filled in a little more and within a few days will have eggs in it.
Sub adult male Bullock's Oriole constructing nest
And of course, baby geese are getting larger and have infiltrated most of Boise's parks.
Canada Goose chicks
