Marmots in the Mist
Monday, August 13th, 2007![]()
Vancouver Island Marmot. One of the most critically endangered species in the world.
(click image to enlarge)
It’s strange to be humbled by a creature not much larger than the average men’s hiking boot.
Day One
It took me a while to fully comprehend that the small bundle of fur sitting alone, gazing up at me, represents around 3% of the total wild population of her species. Within a few hundred yards I would see several more of what constitutes 25% of all wild Vancouver Island Marmots.
I’ve just hiked with a researcher into the mountains near Nanaimo BC into an ecological reserve inaccessible to the public. When I consider that I’m the first photographer allowed access, I feel privileged and excited.
There’s something very, very special about being in a wild place and seeing an animal in it’s natural habitat. Even better when there is no one else around, where every moment is private. Special can’t begin to describe how this feels when you are with one of only about 35 of these animals. I wonder if the marmots know. What would they do if they knew?
