SIERRA PINE MARTEN?????

[hikehigh]

I saw a weasel looking critter on a rocky summit in the southern sierra a few weeks ago. He was very fast but I saw his face pretty good. I think it might have been a Marten? I taught its tail had rings on it, but all the pictures I see of martens, they don't have rings. Anyone ever seen one of these? Any other possibility's on what it was?

[SSSdave]

I've just seen just one pine marten over many years even though I've done much off trail rambling. Given their tree orientation and sizeable prey are more likely to be encountered down in mid forest areas. However have seen it's smaller similar looking relative, the long tailed weasel, that fit down in small rodent holes many times. A good place to watch for the long tailed weasel are areas that have good numbers of chipmunks, pika, golden mantled, or belding ground squirrels.

[oldranger]

Seems like I see them on average at least once a year. Already seen 3 this year! As I approached the Isberg Trailhead in July I almost got ran over by two cavorting martens running down the hill. I've never seen two together before. I thought most of this family of creatures was solitary unless courting. Did I witness foreplay? The other siting was in the North Cascades just outside of Holden Village the week before last. Martens regularly hang out there because of the large population of golden mantled ground squirrels and chipmunks in the village.

Mike

[Snow Nymph]

weasel kills pika (Vogelsang trail)
http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/1175 ... 6011YOxalw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/1175 ... 6011FXeLfE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

baby pine marten on whitney summit
http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/1098 ... 6011CvMNWL" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;