2015 Photos

A GROUNDHOG FAMILY; HEIDI, LUKE, AND THEIR OFFSPRING

Heidi arrived on our property in 2014. In 2015, she became the mate of groundhog Luke Groundwalker. Heidi had seven babies which were brought above ground on May 23, 2015. We followed Heidi and Luke as a mated couple and as parents. A glimpse into their family life is seen in photographs and video. As we’ve observed with other mated pairs on our property, the relationship between mated groundhogs continues after the mating season, (assuming their survival) contrary to published literature.

May-June Luke & Heidi’s Babies

1_DSC00099 — May 23- Up from the natal burrow

2_DSC00171 — Upright baby under bush next to barn May 28

3_DSC00176 — Baby makes it to front of barn May 28

8_DSC06272 — Luke & Heidi’s babies June 5

Babies June 8-25

1-DSC06342_1 — Baby explores flats of unplanted flowers

Babies June 29 – July 17

B1-Baby_barn_guard_June29_1 — Baby guarding barn, June 29, 2015

B5-Siblings_under_bird bathJuly3_1 — Siblings under the bird bath July 3

B6-Baby_chuck_pillow_July5_1 — Baby chuck pillow July 5

B7-Checking_out_plant_lily_July8_1 — Checking out plantain lily July 8

B8-Tree_Climbing_July8_1 — Tree climbing July 8

B9-Siblings_on_big rock_July17_1 — Siblings on a big rock July 17

Luke & Heidi & babies March – June

DSC04164_Heidi_March_20 — Heidi March 20

DSC04360_March_26_Heidi_gathers_leaves_for_the_barn_burrow — March 26, Heidi gathers leaves

DSC05628 _Mother_Heidi_May18 — Mother Heidi, May 18

DSC06178-June2 Heidi_with_baby — June 2 Heidi with a baby

Luke_heading_Barn_June5 — Luke, heading back to the barn June 5

Heidi & Luke – June & July

A2-Heidi-Baby_July15_1 — Heidi and baby July 15

Raggedy Chuck

Additional to Luke & Heidi, another grown chuck, named Raggedy, has been observed infrequently since March. Raggedy has a limp caused by a damaged right foot. Gender is still uncertain but Raggedy is thought to be a male. In July, interactions between Raggedy and some of Heidi and Luke’s offspring were captured on video.