Saturday, August 4, 2012

Groundhog And Company


Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are common in rural and farm country, but can also regularly be found in urban areas. Much like prairie dogs out west, groundhogs are often loathed because of the dangerous situation their holes create for livestock and horses. This particular whistle pig (a nickname sometimes used for groundhogs) had his own problem. He had ticks attached around his left eye and on his body. He's missing some fur on the front, but I don't know if that's from scratching at the ticks or just living the life of a groundhog.




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32 comments:

Ana Mínguez Corella said...

So cute.. Great shots.. Regards from Madrid..

Linda said...

Those are some great shots, Brian! Nice and closeup - but it is a shame about the ticks. Guess that is the life of the wild critters...no one to pull them off!

Carole M. said...

...having a great time; you too, grabbing fabulous photographs Brian

Sharon M said...

You always have the best close ups. I have to say, I've never heard the term 'whistle pig.' That's pretty funny.

Jan n Jer said...

Never gave it any thought to ticks on wild critters...wonder if they get lyme disease!!!! Great pics!

eileeninmd said...

Great shots, you can see the ticks. How sad for this critter.

Beth said...

I have seen many a groundhog in my day but never one up close and personal. I feel sorry for him with the ticks.

Great shots!

DeniseinVA said...

Those ticks are nasty and I hope they left the poor guy alone eventually. Your photos were truly magnificent.

Anonymous said...

Great shots of this little guy. I see them alongside the road, but never really close up.

TexWisGirl said...

i don't think i've ever really seen a groundhog in person. i don't think they're at all prevalent here.

poor scraggly fellow, but that shot of him eating the greenery is cute!

Rustic Vintage Country said...

Love the second shot!

Tombstone Livestock said...

Great shots, I wonder if he can predict how long this heat wave is going to last .... or is Puxty Phil the only weather prediction groundhog?

Hootin Anni said...

cute little booger, isn't it? I'd love to get up close and personal like your images show us.


Tigers & Elephants...oh my!

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

Great closeups of this little guy. I've never heard them called whistle pigs.

Anonymous said...

If there's three things I hate in this world & don't understand their place here on Earth... it's ticks, chiggers & mosquitoes... the devil must have put them here to help drive us crazy!


...love the commercial w/ the man hollerin at the woodchucks, "Hey, you dang woodchucks, quit chuckin my wood!"
i have the ringtone! ROFLMBO! LoL! =)

Gail Dixon said...

Dadgum ticks! I hate those things. I'm with Tricia: why must they exist?! Even though this animal is considered a pest, I feel sorry for him at the moment. Great pics, though!

Snap said...

Great shots. Made me smile although I feel bad about the ticks. Poor little guy! Happy Critter Day!

Tammy said...

Aww, that is a cute little guy! Love of the photo with the mouth full of leaves!

Marc Heath said...

Cracking set Brian, top shots.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Nice close up shots- poor guy needs some help with those ticks!

Leenie said...

A ground hog's life is a tough one. They just don't get no respect.

renae said...

Oh my Mom loved groundhogs, prairie dogs - and toads. She would always talk about those critters. Thanks for the memories.

have a great weekend!
:D

Lindsjö taxar said...

Great pictures, the are qute. we dont have them here in Sweden.

EJ said...

Nice action shots.

Pomeranian, your comment is always highly appreciated! Have a great weekend.

Gemma Wiseman said...

Terrific macros of the groundhog! Love the cute facial expression in the second photo!

Melissa Hopper said...

I love them. I think they are so cute!

waldlaeufer68 Frank Scholtyssek said...

a very nice series of pictures .. awesome ..
regards Frank

Amy Burzese said...

Love the one with the leaf in his mouth. Great as usual1

Amy Burzese said...

Love the one with the leaf in his mouth. Great as usual1

joanne said...

super pics of cool little guy....I have only seen one alive in person once, and he was running! Otherwise, unfortunately, they are road kill - they aren't the quickest....

Mary Howell Cromer said...

How wonderful these are! We actually had a Groundhog on our lane first time every in 31 years of living here, but I could not get any captures other than it sticking it's head out from the under road culvert;'( It must have been frightened by all of the neighborhood dogs~

JOY @ http://joysjotsshots.blogspot.com/ said...

Our cows seemed to know where not to step. However, we've turned over a tractor because a tunnel collapsed, so that was always our biggest problem with those pesky critters. You've made him seem sweet here.