In the Field

Hoary Marmot at Burrow. Cascade Amphitheatre, Banff National Park, Banff, AB, Canada. May 1991.

Hoary Marmots are common residents of high-altitude boulder fields in the Canadian Rockies. My experience with them is that they're highly variable in their degree of approachability. Encounter them in remote areas that are rarely visited by humans and you'll hear their high-pitched alarm calls, but you'll rarely see them. But, if they're along a popular trail with heavy hiking traffic, then you can easily approach and photograph them.

I captured this image just after the marmot had emerged from its burrow. This grizzled specimen was reasonably comfortable with my presence, but not so much so that it felt that it could afford to take its eyes off me. Yet it did allow me close enough to get a nearly full frame image with only a moderately long telephoto lens.

Behind the Camera

Hoary Marmot at Burrow. Cascade Amphitheatre, Banff National Park, Banff, AB, Canada. May 1991.

Film Capture; Fujichrome 100; ISO 100.

Nikon F801 film SLR with Nikon 80-200 mm f/2.8 AF ED-IF lens supported on tripod (brand and model completely absent from my notes and gray matter).

Exposure information not recorded.

At the Computer

Hoary Marmot at Burrow. Cascade Amphitheatre, Banff National Park, Banff, AB, Canada. May 1991.

Details to follow.

Conservation

Hoary Marmot at Burrow. Cascade Amphitheatre, Banff National Park, Banff, AB, Canada. May 1991.

Information to follow.