I saw a rare animal in the wilderness last week

[hal]

While hiking cross country up in my usual Desolation Wilderness, I saw a critter out of the corner of my eye that I assumed was a marmot, but when I got a good look, it was clearly a Marten. I only recognized him because I have an old map of the area that has a little bit of info on the area on the back side including a pic of a marten. I had never seen one before.

Other people I talked to that really know the area said that it's extremely rare to see one of these guys these days. When I got home, I did a search and found that the forest service wants to hear report of sightings so I called and talked to the biologist on staff and she took the report. I send her the still from a video that I shot and the coordinates of the sighting. They also want reports of sightings of fishers, red foxes & wolverines - I had no idea that any of those animals were in this area.

Sure is a cute little guy...

[ztirffritz]

I saw a weasel on a hike recently. First time I'd ever seen one of those.

[MartyStickle]

Really cool.

[mikebw]

Looks like a fresh break on that rock and he's looking none too guilty!

[rgG]

Oooooo, he is so cute.

[Acer]

Nice catch.

I've seen a weasel in the wild once. He moved like a cross between a squirrel and slinky.

[Racer X]

We saw a weasel, or weasel-like creature running across the road in SW Idaho in July. Took me a few moments for it to register that is what it was.

[Speedy]

Good for you! I wouldn't know a marten if I saw one.

[DP]

Wolverines? In California?

[hal]

DP wrote:
Wolverines? In California?

the wolverine habitat map looks a lot like the one for the marten