Yellow-Bellied Marmots at Forest Canyon Overlook - Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado) - June 6th, 2023
Without a doubt, the highlight of our trip took place early on Tuesday June 6th at Forest Canyon Overlook off of Trail Ridge Road. I cannot remember if I have been at a higher elevation before. The National Park Service puts the Forest Canyon Overlook at an elevation of 11,716 feet about sea level. That is over two miles high if you are counting from home. The surface is tundra and rocks, but it looks like a moonscape. Almost immediately, I started to notice that my stomach was in knots - something common at that elevation. When we arrived early in the morning, we were the only ones there. Well the only humans. My son first heard the chirps of the other residents. And there they were - yellow-bellied marmots. There seemed to be a momma and some juveniles who were looking for food and moisture on the rocks. They feed early and late in the day - so our timing was perfect. Seeing them scamper around in the early day sunlight was a real joy. I had never photographed marmots before - but hopefully I will get to do this again. Taken at the Forest Canyon Overlook on a beautiful morning at Rocky Mountain National Park. Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park with my son for a few days. What an amazing place. Pictures from June 6th, 2023.
Yellow-Bellied Marmots at Forest Canyon Overlook - Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado) - June 6th, 2023
Without a doubt, the highlight of our trip took place early on Tuesday June 6th at Forest Canyon Overlook off of Trail Ridge Road. I cannot remember if I have been at a higher elevation before. The National Park Service puts the Forest Canyon Overlook at an elevation of 11,716 feet about sea level. That is over two miles high if you are counting from home. The surface is tundra and rocks, but it looks like a moonscape. Almost immediately, I started to notice that my stomach was in knots - something common at that elevation. When we arrived early in the morning, we were the only ones there. Well the only humans. My son first heard the chirps of the other residents. And there they were - yellow-bellied marmots. There seemed to be a momma and some juveniles who were looking for food and moisture on the rocks. They feed early and late in the day - so our timing was perfect. Seeing them scamper around in the early day sunlight was a real joy. I had never photographed marmots before - but hopefully I will get to do this again. Taken at the Forest Canyon Overlook on a beautiful morning at Rocky Mountain National Park. Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park with my son for a few days. What an amazing place. Pictures from June 6th, 2023.