Walking down one of my favorite trails it's hard not to notice the instant eruption of sound as I approach. Perhaps just one at first, but as I get closer, a whole chorus of warning barks begins, as if a phone tree has just been activated...
... in fact, it's almost as if our resident colony of Prairie Dogs is describing me as I approach... down to the last detail. Their calls changing as I get closer, and once again for the other hiker coming up on my right.
Scientists have found that Prairie Dogs have quite a large vocabulary. They can distinguish not only between animal and human, hawk and hound, but also between the size of one person or another, and even the difference in their clothing.
On this January day, the breeze blows lightly out of the northwest, and I can feel the grass beneath my feet crunch from so many months of cold. The prairie dog colony spreads out before me, dotted by collections of dirt mounds; here and there a small head peers out to see if it is safe... and a few brave little souls stand up to sound an alert of my coming...
Prairie Dogs Soundscape: (click on the link to the left to hear the Prairie Dogs from my walk or use the player below)
I wonder if I wear a different shirt tomorrow if the call will be different...
~Jordan
P.S. Don't forget about our current book giveaway: The Story of Art!
*Last time in Nature: Shades of Winter