Every once in awhile I like to put out something challenging for the squirrels to deal with. One of their favorite foods is sliced avocados. Here is what happened when I put out the large avocado seed the other day. This little guy was apparently very excited by his find and very determined to take his big nut to safety!
It appears that Bit is engaged in a game of hide and seek. I can almost hear him counting!
Bit was actually grooming himself when I caught this shot, licking his paws and rubbing his face. I never realized until recently how many similarities there are between cats and squirrels. Their grooming habits appear quite similar. Squirrels will also stretch out and sunbathe like cats. And they often play like kittens, chasing each other and hopping about. They are so much fun to watch! My own version of reality TV – but way better!
In recent weeks, after purchasing a new kind of critter food at a local grocery store, I noticed a significant decline in the number of squirrels at the feeders. Even with the grapes, bananas, apples and avocados I also put out, it just didn’t seem the same in terms of the numbers of squirrels and especially the frequency of Boo sightings. I wondered if perhaps the decline was due to our hot summer temperatures or just what else it could be.
This morning I went to Home Depot to purchase the food I had previously used. Wow did that make a difference! Within minutes of filling the feeders, I had throngs of squirrels jockeying for position, including Bit and Boo themselves! OK guys, I promise not to switch your food again!
This is the food I highly recommend if you want to attract precious squirrels to your yard or deck. It may be available elsewhere – I will be on the hunt now for other places to purchase it.
I have discovered that of all the squirrels that come to the feeders, Mr. Fantail is the biggest worrier. 
From time to time I like to rearrange things on the deck just to keep it lively. Recently I have started adding various objects to make for adorable photo opps or just to see how the squirrels will react. Every time I change things, Mr. Fantail is hilarious with his reactions to the new objects. Most of the other squirrels are somewhat cautious when they find new things out there, as they should be, but none seem to get quite as freaked out as Mr. Fantail. Here is an entertaining video showing him arriving one morning to discover that things have changed – and that there is a new squirrel in town!
Bit with a chunk of apple
Adorable baby squirrel
Boo having breakfast
Cute little Tufted Titmouse
Boo found a big nut
Looks like a baby girl! So so precious!
I am thrilled to report that the stork has made a visit to Nutland! The adorable little package made an appearance on the deck yesterday and enjoyed the buffet set out for all the woodland creatures. I hope that the stork delivers many more!
In Nutland, anything related to peanuts is a big hit with the squirrels. From time to time I smear peanut butter in various places for the squirrels to discover and enjoy. Today one of the blind-in-one-eye squirrels found the peanut butter I smeared across the top of a sculpture on the deck. He was so cute as he licked it off his front paws!
Little Boo is usually one of the first to arrive at the feeders in the morning. This morning she was quite entertaining and active. Her morning began with cramming as many nuts into her mouth as possible, then scampering down the stairs and into the yard to bury them. Then I caught her down below rubbing her tummy on a wooden stool, an activity I had not seen before. Then she returned to the deck for a romp in the pillows, followed by a grooming session on the railing. She was wet from hopping around in the dewy morning grass. Then she perched on the railing and watched the other squirrels, patiently waiting for her chance to get back into the feeders.
Fox Squirrel in Golf Cart
I would not have been so brave (crazy!) as to attempt to hand feed a wild animal but my golf mate (AKA animal loving dad) gave him a little nibble. The little guy then scurried away with his treat. I suspect he has been well fed by other golfers. He certainly knew exactly where I had placed my open protein bar (full of nuts) in the dashboard.
Nuts for Squirrels 