When people think of Grand Teton National Park wildlife, the iconic animals often come to mind: black and brown bears, elk, moose, bald eagles, and coyotes. Yet, some of the park’s smaller residents often go unnoticed. One such creature is the ground squirrel, a tiny rodent my mom and I spotted darting across a backroad before disappearing into its burrow. Intrigued, we decided to sit quietly and observe. After 15 minutes of patience, while lying flat on the ground to meet the little squirrel at eye level, I captured a tender moment: the squirrel gently closed its eyes and sniffed a delicate flower. It’s a scene of pure simplicity and beauty that I’ll treasure forever.
