My Favorite Swimming Hole

We all have that place we went swimming as kids. A place that holds many fond memories from our childhood into our adult years. Well, that place is Red Granite Quarry in Red Granite, WI for me. I swam, I climbed rocks, I jumped off cliffs, I even got certified as a SCUBA diver in that quarry.

I wish the pictures did the place justice, but you will have to believe me when I tell you it is an awesome place to hang and swim.

It was a busy Sat. afternoon.

We claimed some rock to hang out at. It is a bit tough on the body because it is hard as....well, granite.
The cheese curds are never far away.

That cliff in the background was one of the favorite ones to jump off of. It was a good one to build your courage on. Doesn't seem too high, but the water is really high right now.

Now if you can see a little blip in the water, that is me. I could swim all day in this place.

Here I come.

It doesn't get better then this.

How Much Wood Would A Woodchuck Chuck...

...if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

Before we answer that question, is the following critter

a. woodchuck

b. groundhog

c. whistle pig

d. Marmot

The answer:

e. all of the above

Yeah, I know that wasn't an option. How many of you would have chose that anyway?

Some may be wondering, are you sure it is a woodchuck and not a gopher? Well, I can not say with absolute certainty. However, following my extensive research I have concluded that his coloring and face marking match a woodchuck. Plus I believe he is a tad bigger then a gopher. As woodchucks go, he has a bit of growing to do, so I peg him as a juvenile.

On a side note. Look at HIS left chest area. See the dark spot and missing hair. Either a puncture wound or cuterebra larva. My money is on the cuterebra. Since rabbits occupied the space under the deck before this guy and rabbits are the primary host for cuterebra. However, these larva will take up housing in just about anything. The dark spot is the breathing hole that the larva sticks its little head out for air. We often take them out of cats and it is pretty cool, if you like that kind of stuff.

HEY! Wake up. Your nature lesson is over now.

I know, horrible picture. I was trying to get a quick picture through a window because I thought he could take off. I posted it because I think it is funny. He looks like he is just hanging.

Albeit very cute, they can be very destructive. So, I will try to assess how extensive his lair is under the deck and determine if he is doing harm to the foundation. Most likely he will have to be transported to a more appropriate place.

Now, I bet you are wondering..."man, she is good. She can tell it is a boy. I don't see anything hanging under the tail." Well, I am good, but not that good. I have no idea if it is a boy.

Oh yeah, to answer the original question...

New York state wildlife expert Richard Thomas, who found that a woodchuck could (and does) chuck around 35 cubic feet of dirt in the course of digging a burrow. Thomas reasoned that if a woodchuck could chuck wood, he would chuck an amount equivalent to the weight of the dirt, or 700 pounds.