There are usually two camps in this conversation. There are those, (like me,) who, at a distance, find them to be clever, entertaining creatures. Now, I recognize that they are glorified rodents, but their cunning schemes do amuse me. Squirrels are phenomenally deft at outwitting humans in their quest for sunflower seeds and suet. They’ll dig in our hanging baskets, pull bulbs out of the ground, and detach hanging feeders with the adroitness of a human. Gloriously nimble and acrobatic, they leap over tree limbs and shed rooftops with a dexterity that, to me, is quite remarkable. While I wouldn’t necessarily want one for a pet, I enjoy watching their mischievous antics, and I have a healthy respect for their extreme persistence.
Then, there are those like Joe, for whom the battle began some time ago: he spends an exorbitant amount of time attempting to outwit the little critters. Droll Yankee squirrel-proof feeders and pepper suet are the modus operandi in this camp. The squirrels will bustle about, wreaking havoc on our deck, and if I appear, they basically ignore me. But at the merest suggestion of Joe’s footstep, they will come to an abrupt halt, with eyes and ears alert, assessing what the latest weapon in the battle is going to be. They sense his passion, because they possess that same zeal themselves. Undeterred, they never surrender, but plan each defensive attack with glee.
So far, in the war against the squirrels, the score is squirrels 1, Joe 0.
Enjoy the squirrels on flickr here, with Linda Yvonne:http://www.flickr.com/photos/from_linda_yvonne/sets/72157594557694388/
6 comments:
Charming watercolor Sue!
Fun post!!!
Sue, I didn't know you had a blog!!! I've been completely out of control lately, what with guests, travel, being under the weather, etc., so forgive me for being late to your party! I'm so glad you took the plunge---and this delightful squirrel is a great inaugural image for me!
Chris B said:
We, too, have entered into a prolonged battle with the squirrels. Countless bird houses and feeders and thingamajobs have come and gone in various skirmishes. We finally have a feeder hanging outside our kitchen window that defies any attempts of squirrels to feed from it. It hangs from a line and has a cage around it. They can't get down
the line. And if they jump over or up to the cage, they can't get through to the feeder. Score one for the humans.
The latest thing, as of just this week, is trying to figure out how
to coexist with two foxes that have taken up residence in the woods between us and our neighbors. Initially we were just to see them in the daylight. Now they're upping the ante. This morning when my wife
was walking the dog she came upon one of the foxes and it just stood
there a few feet away from them. It got up within a nose's length of
a neighbor's dog that had come along for the walk and sniffed at it tentatively before turning away nonchalantly and walking off.
A regular peaceable kingdom.
c
Many thanks, people, from a huge fan of your blogs!
Love this post. We too have squirrels. Instead of fighting them we embrace them. We put out a feeder or two just for them. A dog in the yard helps too. :) cute watercolor.
Cris, I think you have the right attitude!
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