Marmots of Olympic National Park | America's National Parks

Spring has finally reached the parks. Upper reaches, the Olympic Mountains alpine meadows are snow free and ready for new life. Unlike any of the biospheres below, this third Park within a park is all unforgiving edge, and its Overlord is Mount Olympus. At a mile-and-a-half high, it's the tallest peak in the parks glacier-studded range, which is protected wilderness.

It's a panorama most visitors see only from the heights of Hurricane Ridge, but far from prying eyes, drama is brewing. The warm weather has awoken Olympic marmots, ravenous after months of hibernation. It's not too early to pack on the pounds that will get them through the next winter. These rodents may be the most extroverted mammals in the park; adults are about the size of house cats. These little guys are world famous.

Olympic marmots evolved in this park and live nowhere else. But they're not immune to predators, and nothing can ruin their day like a young bald eagle on a hunt. Like good Eagle Scouts, marmots do prepare for eagles. Guard duty is serious business. This piercing whistle sends an urgent message to the colony: run for cover!

Now, one youngster is oblivious to the danger, despite the repeated alarms. It's a mistake that could cost him his life. The hunting Eagle is hot on the marmot's heels, but he lucks out and makes a narrow escape. Timing is everything.