Mammals

Harbour Seal - Grebe Islets, BC Catching a little sun on the rocks in West Vancouver. This little fellar was keeping an eye on the boat as we made a pass by his rock on Grebe Islet. I was surprised to see the amount of these critters that live in the waters off of Vancouver. We counted the individuals hauled out on just one section of tied-up log boom and saw no less than 300 of the flippered mammals. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Harbour Seal - Grebe Islets, BC
Pronghorn - Irvine, AB An early morning trip to the southern border of Alberta and Saskatchewan had us looking at one of the only member left of the Pronghorn Family but its closest living relative is alive an well in Africa. Believe it or not, they believe that the Pronghorn is the Giraffe. These fast runners are however not related to the antelope of Africa even though they are sometimes called Pronghorn Antelope. This female was in the short-grass prairie just southwest of Irvine, AB. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Pronghorn - Irvine, AB
Richardson Ground Squirrel - Wild Horse, AB A birds eye view for a critter that usually spends his time on the ground. This Richardson's Ground Squirrel is loaded up in the cheeks and was warming up in the morning sun along the farm road leading away from the Wild Horse Border Crossing in Alberta. Looks like he has some food tucked in for a latter lunch, what more could you want. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Richardson's Ground Squirrel - Whild Horse, AB
Richardson's Ground Squirrel - Frank Lake, AB I learned something new today. The critters I always thought were Prairie Dogs are actually Richardson's Ground Squirrels. Apparently, The only Prairie Dogs in Canada live in the very southern section of Saskatchewan. Who knew. These little guys are also called gophers, which is also not the right name. Either way, they are certainly fun to watch. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Richardson's Ground Squirrel - Frank lake, AB
Coyote - Pincher Creek, AB The little scavenger hunter was making his way along the creek bed when I drove up. most Coyotes are well aware of vehicles approaching as farmers don't like them much. This guy didn't take long to disappear into the prairie grass. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Coyote - Pincher Creek, AB
Yellow-bellied Marmot Tooth - Meadow Lake, BC Is there such a thing as a Sabre-toothed Marmot? It looks like one of this guys teeth has grown a little out of line with where it is supposed to be. Doesn't seem to have hurt this little rotund rodent. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Yellow-bellied Marmot Tooth - Meadow Lake, BC
Yellow-bellied Marmot - Meadow Lake, BC There is just something about a baby critter. This little yellow-bellied Marmot was sunning on the lichen spotted rock next to him and his 40 plus relatives. Based on the range maps these little guys are a bit far north but I do know that Marmots have a strange habit of climbing into the chassis of vehicles and ending up very long distances from their original home. One such instance is well documented of a Marmot that ended up in Victoria, BC from the Rockies. He hitched a ride on a motorhome and set up camp in the gardens of the Fairmont Empress. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Yellow-bellied Marmot - Meadow Lake, BC
Brown-throated Sloth - Gatun Lake, Panama During my trip to Panama, I made my way to the Gatun Locks on the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal. While I was exploring, I came across a log on the road which I quickly realized was a sloth. I pulled the truck so that no one would run my new friend over. I watched as he made is way across the road SOOOO slowly but was thrilled at the interaction. The orange and brown patch on the back is only found on males and produces scent to attract the females. Three-toed Sloth - Gatun Lake, Panama Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Brown-throated Sloth - Gatun Lake, Panama
American Black Bear - Big Bar Lake, BC This very healthy looking bear was feeding on plants on the side of the road on the way up to Big Bar Lake. He was minding his own business mowing grass. It seems hard to believe that the large 200+ pound animal can survive on grass. They are omnivores and will eat meat as well as insects when the season is right. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
American Black Bear - Big Bar Lake, BC
Howler Monkeys - San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua During our visit to the wonderful Casa Serena in the Balcones de Majagual we were able to see the resident troop of Howler Monkeys making their way through the valley. They were vocal enough that we could hear them on the neighboring hill at dusk but on our way out we were able to get some great views. This was the first time seeing the very noisy monkeys for my wife. The mom and little one were relaxing for a minute before moving on with the rest of the troop. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Mantled Howler Monkey - San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
Orca - Tofino, BC I was on a pelagic birding tour earlier this year and was lucky enough to see several whales and dolphins including this Orca and its pod. They were in the inner channel very close to Tofino, cruising the rocks. Orca are considered the largest dolphin in the world and are fierce hunters. Was a wonderful morning to get a look at these magnificent creatures. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Orca - Tofino, BC
Red Fox - Mahood Lake, BC Just south of Canim Lake at Canimred Creek this little fox was prowling the edge of a small field. I stopped to grab a photo and he shrunk into the grass to where he was hardly visible. They are handsome canines and are very able to adapt to their environment which is why they do so well around humans. Red foxes come in several different color variations including silver. This was my first closeup encounter in the wild with this fantastic animal. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Vulpes vulpes Picture
Red Fox - Canim Lake, BC
Among the jumbled wood pile a head poked up to see who was going to be the next human to provide an offering to the Chipmunk Deity. Because I didn't pay enough attention to him the first time, he clambered up on to the next log to see if he could catch my attention. Mission accomplished. It was right about then that a Douglas Squirrel figured this squatter was invading his territory and with a flash ran him off. Not before a quick memory of the encounter. Picture
Townsend's Chipmunk - Langley, BC
Coyote - Pitt Meadows Every once in a while you will see a Coyote in the fields during the day looking for voles or mice. This particular K9 had duck on the menu. That was until the duck realized he was on the menu and exited stage left in short order. I think the face says the rest. Don't give me that look, I swear I didn't warn him dog. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Coyote - Pitt Meadows, BC
Mexican Black Howler Monkey El Pilla, BZ Howling across the jungle from the tops of an old ruin. Picture
Mexican Black Howler Monkey - El Pillar, BZ