Otospermophilus beecheyi

Camped out in the desert last night, near Mammoth hot springs on the east side of the Sierra. Woke up early this morning for a quiet soak and then, on my drive out, I had to do a double take to realize this California Ground Squirrel was not in fact a part of the desert scrub it was perched in. Not sure what all that business in its mouth is about-pretty sure it's adorable though.