I went back to the Woodland Hills Nature Park where there is a huge tribe of Chipmunks, and I brought back a few interesting things for you. First of all, I have several pictures of one of these curious little guys for you. I wish I could show you more, but I have to consider the limited space.The second thing I have for you is a bit of a discovery I have made regarding chipmunks. You know, when you have been watching animals for awhile, and start becoming good at observing their behavior, you start to notice things about them. Let me tell you the story about it so you understand.
While I was walking through chipmunk territory, and hoping for a few good pictures, I heard a rustling noise off to my right, so I stopped to see what it was. As I was peering past an old fallen tree beside the trail, the little chipmunk in these pictures jumped right up on the tree.As you can see by all of these pictures I definitely wasn't going to pass up this opportunity that jumped right up in front of me. I moved my camera up to my face as slowly as possible and began taking more pictures than I could ever hope to need. I was in luck! The chipmunk seemed completely oblivious to my presence.
The chipmunk walked around on that log sniffing around for food, and just generally having a relaxing time. It wasn't that it didn't mind me being there, it was that the chipmunk didn't see me! I was standing only five feet(1.5 meters) away, and the chipmunk just plain didn't know I was there!So have you guess what I discovered? Well, let me continue the story. As I watched this chipmunk completely ignoring me, I began to understand what was going on. I finally decided this had to end, so I thought I would try a little experiment. So I took a full step to my left, and the chipmunk darted from the log and ran terrified into the forest!
I'm not sure if chipmunks have a reputation for poor eyesight, but this chipmunk had trouble seeing me as long as I didn't move. This is not the only one that has done this either. The last chipmunk that I saw, and used for my last game here on the blog, behaved exactly the same way. I was also able to get very many shots of that one too.Other chipmunks that I encounter will run away as I walk through the forest, only to run halfway back and peer at me. I have always assumed that this was just an intense case of curiosity. Maybe it is partly curiosity, but maybe they are also trying to see what it is that they ran from, which is also a bit of curiosity of course.
That bit of bad eyesight might explain why they peer at me so intensely though. It could also be that I just look funny, but I don't like to think about that. So, what do you think? Does it seem as if I have discovered something significant, or is it just my imagination? After all, I could still bewrong about all of this, but observation doesn't lie if you pay attention.So next time you are in an area with small animals that you want to watch, just try standing very still. It might work as well as it has for me with these chipmunks. I have read it also works for birds. I wouldn't try this on bigger animals that might be dangerous though. You don't want to become lunch. Have a nice day!
A tale of a chipmunk - I bet you enjoyed having fun with these little guys - great photos and thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThe light on the chipmunk is so beautiful. I haven't seen chipmunks around here lately..What a great adventure you've had!
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your nature shots and love the chipmunks. I can't say I know very much about their habits so I can't give an opinion.
ReplyDeleteSimilar one comes inside my house these days looking to find a good spot to build his nest.
ReplyDeletemaybe they are tame and friendly
ReplyDeleteI think he just couldn't care less about you/me, Ratty. Chipmunks have important things to do, and it doesn't include watching you and me walking through the woods. :)
ReplyDeleteKidding--I think movement=danger, so he isn't concerned unless you are approaching or moving to get him. I like chipmunks and those cute little straight-in-the-air tails they have.
Thats great that you got so close to those chipmunks! Really funny how they act. I think you are right about their eyesight and they probably just run when they see movement.
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Ratty fave story! I can't get enough of those cute chipmunks! I believe you have mastered the art of sneaking the chipmunk! :D
ReplyDeleteinteresting observation you have come up with. that's exactly what a good adventurer does and you are doing it so well. great pics of the little guy.
ReplyDeleteGreat story! It is so interesting...I wonder if they do have bad vision. They are so cute! It sounds like fun.
ReplyDeleteThat is just a great story and set of photos...and a good lesson to learn for the next time I need to sneak up on "small prey" (not!! I leave that job to my kitties!)
ReplyDeleteIt is in fact an interesting finding, I am going to prove it in my next trip. But, for sure, this won't work for monkey. You stand still, stare at them, they will get get angry and look back at you fiercefully.
ReplyDeleteThere are chipmunks at my parent's house and it seems they are petty tame, because when I have my dog there it seems like they are playing a game with her.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure about your theory Ratty. I watch them daily and they seem to see pretty well. I see them sneak up on each other at times and then chase each other all over the place. But I have observed them eating and getting very close to each other before they do that. They sure come when I have food for them... They watch constantly for danger, standing on their hind feet to see as far as they can. They take very good care of their young also. I love Chipmunks. You got some great photos of them!!
ReplyDeleteoh, i love how the chipmunks glow with the light, wonderful shots.
ReplyDeleteI don't know about the theory..because we have a chipmunk, that whenever he sees birds in my feeders he climbs up and runs, full speed at them to get them to fly away to have the seed to himself. He must see the birds in order to know every time one comes to the feeders and then for him to go and run at them every time????
ReplyDeleteI'll remember that tip of yours:) keep still so they don't see you. that's really a nice adventure you had.
ReplyDeleteThe chipmunks are just so cute, we rarely see them here. I suspect you either got in his blind spot or he did not see you as a threat. They do have a good sense of smell and excellent hearing.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos, I have never seen that many at one time. I want to come hike your trails.
I am thinking that the chipmunk sees you but as you are immobile you are just a "tree" to it. You are no threat. As a prey item, a chipmunk must be triggered by motion and as soon as you move your a predator.
ReplyDeleteI sure wish I could see more of these little guys myself. We only get sneak peeks every once in a while. *sigh*
Mike - The chipmunks are some of my favorite little critters. Their curiosity is simply amazing.
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Icy - I like that light too. I was glad it came in at that angle.
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Jude - I'm only just learning, so I could be wrong about some of my conclusions. But it's fun to find out.
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Kirigalpoththa - I bet that's not the most fun. Hopefully it found something better outside.
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Zzeed - Not these little guys. They're not mean, but they're definitely wild.
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Lin - Your theory is probably much closer to being correct than mine.
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Anne - It's definitely the movement that they don't like. My eyes are opening to other thoughts about them now though.
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VanillaSeven - I hope I have mastered it. It would make it much easier to get my pictures. :)
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PJ - I still have some thinking to do on my observations, but that's the good part.
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Ashley - I'm beginning to think maybe their vision might be tuned to see certain things.
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WillOaks Studio - My conclusions may not be completely certain, but they would certainly help with sneaking up on small prey. I bet the kitties already know it.
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Rainfield - That's because monkeys know we are their cousins. They also know we are dangerous.
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Sadermaxx - Those chipmunks might be teasing your dog. They are terrible mischief makers.
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Ginnymo - I agree with you that my theory is flawed. The difference between standing still and moving is still an important key to the solution though.
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Betchai - Thanks. I was worried that the angle of the light might mess up the pictures.
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The Retired One - They are definitely very smart. Maybe the solution is a question of the strategy of the chipmunks. It saw me but only moved when I was a threat.
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Marites - The may have seen me, but the movement is what they don't like.
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SquirrelQueen - They may be very slightly used to humans. This is the first year I've seen more than a few, and never any on these trails before.
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Julia - I think you have explained it the best so far. You are most likely correct. And I am beginning to suspect there is something strange going on with the number of animals on this trail.
Wow.. the images are gorgeous. And that was a great observation. They do sound like very curious beings.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing these wonderful pics and the story.
Harumi - Yes, these chipmunks are the most curious little creatures I've ever seen. I'm always glad to see them whenever I hike that particular trail.
ReplyDeleteI just rescued one from cat. Standing very still, it ran right up my leg trying to find his way back to the brush. I figured, he thought I was a tree until I moved and shook my leg. He ran back down and ran right into the cat which I was holding down so she couldn't get it again. I was amazed how many times he ran right into the cat while she wasn't moving, so I finally picked Catzilla up so the Chipmunk could find its way into safety.
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