Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus lateralis)

Cloud Cap Overlook, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon, USA

Photo Taken: February 12, 2006

Photograph by Robert Mutch

Photo Number: WM1213

If there is one thing that visitors remember about Crater Lake National Park, it is the lake itself (and it's beautiful clear blue waters), it's steep volcanic rim, Wizard Island, and.....Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels...GMGSs as they are also known. They are ever-present, cute, and often quite hungry (and happily fed by visitors).  This particular GMGS was having a morning snack (the plant material has yet to be identified by the photographer) at Cloud Cap Overlook, so, he allowed my presence.  -- Robert Mutch

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