Right now, the marmots are sleeping. They are sleeping under this rock, right at the top of the escarpment.

The Glaciers Took All the Other Flood Basalt Away

The marmots sleep in their rodent tunnels in the rock. The rabbits hop around up top. The lynx and cougar chase around after them.

Cougar Footprint in the Snow

That blue hole is a moose footprint. We were five minutes behind these guys.

Around and around they go, this way and that.

Cougar on the Prowl for Snowshoe Hare

Let’s face it, moose are too big. Those things are the size of highway graders.

But none of them can beat the marmots at this winter game. Look:

Marmot Breath Hole

It gets better!

Close Up on Frozen Marmot Breath

And better!

And better…

By the looks of it, these crystals are forming on spider webs hanging from the rock. In the summer, I’m sure the spiders are catching insects coming in and out from the marmot hidey holes.

But now, beautiful frozen marmot breath!

The hills are alive.