I was up in the mountains again this morning and was shooting some Yellow-bellied Marmots when the session turned viscious!

Everything started normal:




Then the Marmot noticed me and aggressively tried to stare me down:



When that didn't work he started flexing his muscles and shadow boxing in an attempt to intimidate me:



Then he let out a wild echoing roar that could be heard for miles...



and then viciously attacked with teeth bared and claws extended!!!



After the ferocious attack I managed this shot of the deranged beast cleaning the blood off his claws.




Ok, maybe a little exaggeration but hey, sounds good, LOL!!!

All images with 30D and 400/5.6
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Okay, Jim, let's see pics of your wounds!!

He's a lot bolder than the one I saw in Yellowstone...it ran away!!

Really great series and your commentary makes a good story.

Best regards,

Dick:)

LOL - that's great, Jim!! At least, it is great if you are going to be able to survive the tale.

James

Those are great photos and a wonderful story to go with it!

not the vicious marmots again, wow
i've heard those are mean little critters, ha ha tounge in cheek.
great pics by the way, and the story was a real nail biter

Don

Nice!

This brings to mind a horrible experience I had several years ago, I can only now bring myself to share the detail of the event. I was shooting pictures in my garden as I often do when from no where I was face to face with a charging Bull snail if it had not been for some quick thinking and a nearby tree to climb I don't think I would be here to share my story with you. I share your trauma

Thanks for the good story James, although I'll be having nightmares tonight.

Especially after I saw this marmot rip all the hair off of mother earth in a battle just yesterday

Glad you survived that vicious attack, Glamson! Your pained expression tells the story!

That charging Bull Snail is scary, Camon!

Good thing you kept your distance from that ferocious marmot, Stu!

I think the animals are on a rampage, akin to "The Birds" in Hitchcock's thriller.

I fell victim to a savage attack by a man-eating Lorikeet a couple years ago. Just as my daughter was about to snap one perched on my shoulder, the flesh-eating killer chomped down on my ear!



Be very afraid!