When in an “epic” landscape such as The Grand Canyon, one should always remember to look at the “near views” as well as the grand vistas.
However jaw-dropping it is to look down 1.6 vertical kilometres to the Colorado, there is every chance that something else – something equally worthy of your attention – sits within a couple of metres of your nose…on the ground at your feet.
Both photos were taken on the same afternoon, whilst walking near the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Allegedly, this post’s featured mammal – Otospermophilus variegatus, a ground squirrel generally known as a “rock “squirrel” – is the most dangerous of all animals in Grand Canyon National Park!
It occasions more injuries to humans than does any snake, bear, elk or mountain lion, as explained here.
Unsurprisingly, the root cause of this “danger” is humans’ stupidity.
You should not feed squirrels!
Click here to discover more about the Desert Globe Mallow.
It poses no danger.
Long before Viking, French and British humans first set foot on North American soil (let alone tourists) there were North American humans to whom Sphaeralcea ambigua was a useful plant.
Desert Globe Mallows are a source of food, and medicine.
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