Marmots of Olympic National Park | America’s National Parks

Spring has finally reached the parks
upper reaches the Olympic Mountains
alpine meadows are snow free and ready
for new life unlike any of the
biospheres below this third Park within
a park is all unforgiving edge and it’s
Overlord is Mount Olympus at a
mile-and-a-half high it’s the tallest
peak in the parks glacier studded range
which is protected wilderness
it’s a panorama most visitors see only
from the heights of Hurricane Ridge but
far from prying eyes drama is brewing
the warm weather has awoken Olympic
marmots ravenous after months of
hibernation it’s not too early to pack
on the pounds that will get them through
the next winter these rodents maybe the
most extroverted mammals in the park
adults are about the size of house cats
these little guys are world famous
Olympic marmots evolved in this park and
live nowhere else but they’re not immune
to predators
and nothing can ruin their day like a
young bald eagle on a hunt
like good Eagle Scouts marmots do
prepare for eagles guard duty is serious
business
this piercing whistle sends an urgent
message to the colony
run for cover now
one youngster is oblivious to the danger
despite the repeated alarms it’s a
mistake that could cost him his life
the hunting Eagle is hot on the marmots
heels but he Luck’s out and makes a
narrow escape timing is everything