Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel

We saw this little guy/gal at Grassi Lakes, in the mountains, on Saturday. It is larger than the species of Chipmunk we get here in the city and its stripe pattern is wider. It was really hoping for food from us and even climbed on to the back of the bench we were sitting on and had its front paws on my shoulder.

Note on 3rd August 2007: thanks, Shauneen, for correcting my ID! Never occurred to me it was some kind of Ground Squirrel! And, yes, I am hoping to get to the picnic - apart from seeing everyone, the FOOD is so GOOD!