Sometimes I like to wonder where the energy I spend watching squirrels could be better put. Having a tree outside my window really isn’t very productive. Did you know that the reason squirrels bury so many nuts is that they’re actually quite terrible at remembering where they put them? Hence why stealing bird feed is probably their best option.
I think you are right – I always find all sorts of food in the spring that the squirrels buried and never ate. I also see them burying food in my flower pots, which get put away for the winter, so that doesn’t do them any good anyway. Good to see you stopping in. BTW, I updated your link on my blogroll to your new, optimistic site.
I enjoy watching squirrels too. I think part of it is that, like otters, squirrels have a well-developed sense of fun. These pics sort of show that, even though they are bent on getting to the feeder.
I had a dog once who loved to chase squirrels. He never caught one and often looked longingly up a tree, trying to figure out how to climb it. The squirrels would tease him, and one even came up onto our deck and peered through the glass patio door chittering for the dog to come out and play.
When we help put out bird seed at state park nature centers, it’s always sunflower seeds and corn on the feeders that are relatively easy for the squirrels to reach– they enjoy a little challenge and fun. The good seed goes in feeders hung on rods with baffles. Squirrels are like most of us, and don’t want to go to any trouble if its not necessary.
The Indiana DNR philosophy seems to be “If you can’t beat ’em, feed ’em.”
Awwww, I have a new appreciation for squirrels after feeding sliced almonds to a few friendly ones in England. New York squirrels, with their leather pants and spike collars, are just too bad ass. 😉
Bad ass squirrels – I love it! Ours have a lot of midwestern charm, although they can be a little snarky in the rougher parts of town. The ones who hang around the bird feeder are a lot like the little orphan Oliver. When they see I’m watching the stand up on their little hind legs in a plaintive pose, with big sad eyes.
Great photos! My photos of squirrels have all been blurry so far. I’ll have to try setting up a bird and/or squirrel feeder right outside one of our windows.
Thanks Theresa. My feeder is right outside the kitchen/family room combo, where I spend most of my time, so I can keep an eye on it. I leave the camera right by the window. Sometimes just turning it on will scare away the more skittish birds, like the red-bellied woodpecker.
right – and that’s all he really wants. It was hilarious watching him get up there. He took serveral tries to get on top of the green feeder. Once up there, it was like a light bulb went off when he realized he could get to the money food. I have several shots of his voracious attack on the feeder. He was like a kid on Christmas morning.
I didn’t know there was anyplace that didn’t have squirrels. Here we have more than our share, I think. They are very cute and cunning, and fun to watch, but can also be destructive, especially near the end of winter when they’re running out of food. I’ve had them chew right through wooden bird feeders to get to the seed, and knock down feeders and drag them away. Most of the squirrels (except the one in the picture) have not figured out how to get into the bird seed, but I always put some food out on the ground for them in the winter so they won’t get too hungry.
Opportunity seized. Great pictures!
Thanks Aunty. Those goofy squirrels give me lots of opportunities to take photos – they’re always up to something.
Amazing how those squirrels can get to bird feeders even with all the contraptions designed to keep them off! Lovely photos.
Thanks Lisa. This one was quite the opportunist.
Sometimes I like to wonder where the energy I spend watching squirrels could be better put. Having a tree outside my window really isn’t very productive. Did you know that the reason squirrels bury so many nuts is that they’re actually quite terrible at remembering where they put them? Hence why stealing bird feed is probably their best option.
I think you are right – I always find all sorts of food in the spring that the squirrels buried and never ate. I also see them burying food in my flower pots, which get put away for the winter, so that doesn’t do them any good anyway. Good to see you stopping in. BTW, I updated your link on my blogroll to your new, optimistic site.
I enjoy watching squirrels too. I think part of it is that, like otters, squirrels have a well-developed sense of fun. These pics sort of show that, even though they are bent on getting to the feeder.
I had a dog once who loved to chase squirrels. He never caught one and often looked longingly up a tree, trying to figure out how to climb it. The squirrels would tease him, and one even came up onto our deck and peered through the glass patio door chittering for the dog to come out and play.
I think the squirrels are smarter than we are sometimes. Look at how much I have to go to to keep them off the feeder, and they still figure it out.
Squirrels are so crafty; and not in the crepe paper and pipe cleaners kid of way. 🙂 It’s amazing that you got a picture of those stealth operators.
I keep the camera by the birdfeeder window, because I know they’ll always be up to something. Thanks for stopping by, Tree.
When we help put out bird seed at state park nature centers, it’s always sunflower seeds and corn on the feeders that are relatively easy for the squirrels to reach– they enjoy a little challenge and fun. The good seed goes in feeders hung on rods with baffles. Squirrels are like most of us, and don’t want to go to any trouble if its not necessary.
The Indiana DNR philosophy seems to be “If you can’t beat ’em, feed ’em.”
Well, the squirrels have to eat too. Like the Samaratins at the Hebrew’s table I guess.
Awwww, I have a new appreciation for squirrels after feeding sliced almonds to a few friendly ones in England. New York squirrels, with their leather pants and spike collars, are just too bad ass. 😉
Bad ass squirrels – I love it! Ours have a lot of midwestern charm, although they can be a little snarky in the rougher parts of town. The ones who hang around the bird feeder are a lot like the little orphan Oliver. When they see I’m watching the stand up on their little hind legs in a plaintive pose, with big sad eyes.
Fabulous pictures! Perfect for the prompt.
Thanks Susan. I thought this was a tough one. The example they gave was so perfect that I felt I couldn’t compete with it.
Great photos! My photos of squirrels have all been blurry so far. I’ll have to try setting up a bird and/or squirrel feeder right outside one of our windows.
Thanks Theresa. My feeder is right outside the kitchen/family room combo, where I spend most of my time, so I can keep an eye on it. I leave the camera right by the window. Sometimes just turning it on will scare away the more skittish birds, like the red-bellied woodpecker.
very clever – no money in his pocket but he gets food!
right – and that’s all he really wants. It was hilarious watching him get up there. He took serveral tries to get on top of the green feeder. Once up there, it was like a light bulb went off when he realized he could get to the money food. I have several shots of his voracious attack on the feeder. He was like a kid on Christmas morning.
I LOVE THIS! never seen a squirrel live but I think they’re very cute and I love your pictures. I’ll be sure to visit again 🙂
Thanks Isabella, I hope to see you again.
I didn’t know there was anyplace that didn’t have squirrels. Here we have more than our share, I think. They are very cute and cunning, and fun to watch, but can also be destructive, especially near the end of winter when they’re running out of food. I’ve had them chew right through wooden bird feeders to get to the seed, and knock down feeders and drag them away. Most of the squirrels (except the one in the picture) have not figured out how to get into the bird seed, but I always put some food out on the ground for them in the winter so they won’t get too hungry.
Cute and clever squirrel 🙂