Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel

I've been exploring very many different places around my area now. I found this thirteen-lined ground squirrel in a little cemetery not too far from my house. It may sound strange, but cemeteries are a good place to experience nature, especially if you live in a city without many other sources of nature.

When I lived in Detroit we used to drive through the cemetery quite often because there aren't many parks there. It's a nice quiet and peaceful place. A big cemetery is also a good place to learn how to drive because a young person can drive through there slowly without much traffic.

But anyway, let's get back to this ground squirrel. I've shared pictures of one of these critters before, but these today are better. Take a look at his little human-like ears. I just love them! His name comes from those thirteen alternating stripes down his back.

These critters look similar to chipmunks, but if you compare the two you can see the differences. This ground squirrel has more of woodchuck look to him than a chipmunk does.

I've been seeing these little guys scurrying past for a little while now, but this is the first one that slowed down for me. None of the animals I've been encountering seem very afraid of me. Maybe it's because they don't encounter many humans.

This one stopped to eat these seeds right next to my truck so I just had to stop and get these pictures. I would have thought the engine would have scared him away, but there he sat concentrating on his little meal.

You can click on the pictures to see them bigger if you like. I'll be bringing you pictures of another critter from the cemetery soon. I also have some amazing bird pictures with a video I want  to share. I'm excited about all I have coming; it's only tiredness holding me back.

We also have some great stuff over at Nature Center Magazine. Like I said, the articles have improved greatly, and we have more interviews with bloggers you know. We've had a good response with the questions we've already sent out. And if you've been sent interview questions we're excited to see them.

Have you ever seen a critter like the one in my pictures? Maybe another fun and unique creature? Tell me about it. It'll be fun.