ratwatch
okay, so it's not a rat. it's a golden-mantled ground squirrel. but it's still kinda creepy when they touch you.
the scenic overlooks in rocky mountain national park have low stone walls at their borders, presumably to keep their less intelligent visitors from plunging to an ignominious death. you can sit on these walls. if you do, you'll notice that the boulders on the mountainside are crawling with these tiny chipmunk-like creatures, dashing to and fro so quickly that it's difficult to get a picture of them.
they're rather appealing, and i think they know it as they sit up on their hind legs, head cocked, hoping for a snack. i had altoids in my purse, but i doubt the squirrels were equipped to appreciate the refreshing burst of a curiously strong mint.
as you sit on the wall, binoculars trained out across the distance as you look for big-horned sheep, you may be lucky enough to get...
planning the assault
attacking mom
begging for food shortly before running over my sandaled toes
when i felt those cold, tiny claws on my bare skin, i yelped loudly, drawing the ranger over. "oh, my god," i shrieked.
"not god," he bellowed, "but squirrels."