This spring, I have seen increased activity around the feeder. In the early morning, a large male fox squirrel scampers up the steps to beg for fresh seeds. Standing at the sliding doors, he stares into the kitchen with a sideward glance.
Later he will be chasing other fox squirrels across the yard and up the nearby trees.
Last week, I noticed a new visiter to the porch. A mother squirrel tentatively climbed up to the table, looking for food. I saw her nipples on her chest were swollen with milk. Feeling sorry for her, I threw out several peanuts. Gathering them in her cheeks, she raced back to her brood.
I kept a lookout for the smaller female. One morning there was a juvenile with her. She stood back allowing the baby to find and eat the seed.
Over the next week, One or two small squirrels visited with their mother to gather seeds. This week, there was a disturbance in the squirrel colony.
Two black squirrels from across the street, crossed the road to scout for food. The fox male squirrels produced a series of barks and clicking sounds. Much noise was heard in the trees.
I would like to report that all found room and food. The fox squirrels were chased further into the woods. Now black squirrels dominate.
Like people, squirrels would fight rather than co-exist with different neighbors. Lets hope we are smarter than the squirrels and work to get along.
photo description
An adult squirrel sits on a box on a porch. She looks with side vision into the house, waiting for her treat of seeds. The small woods is pictured in the background.
Squirrel
Scampering up , down the tree for seeds.
Quickly she gathers to savor the feed.
Used husks drop aside.
In piles spread wide.
Ready for another day.
Requiring work and play.
Eagerly, waiting for food cast.
Looking, ,watching remembers times past.
A child smiles, tossing a fistful of nuts.
Happily observes the squirrel fuss.
carolaspot July 17, 2023
traveling up and down the blind highway 