July has been a very hot month in Nutland. So hot that one squirrel decided he wanted to come inside! He was determined to find a way!
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!
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.
Yesterday I witnessed a wonderfully hilarious performance by Gabriella the Squirrel Gymnast. A most impressive routine!
Apologies for the blurry start – it does get better! Gabriella’s performance began before I could get the video camera properly situated but I managed to catch some amazing moves once I got focused. Gabriella is quite the performer!
If you enjoy that video, make sure to check out the pics of Nate Berkus the Squirrel Decorator (previous post). Too cute!
I have been puzzled recently as to how my outdoor pillows keep ending up on the deck floor or otherwise rearranged. No one has been using the deck in the cold winter months, no guests have been here (no human guests anyway!) … how could this keep happening?
I have finally solved the mystery! It seems that one of the squirrels, who shall heretofore be named “Nate”, has taken it upon himself to rearrange the pillows from time to time. I suspect that he may not be the only squirrel interested in changing my decor as I believe I saw little Miss Boo in the pillows recently.
Check out these photos – really adorable and hysterical! Helpful hint: Just click on the first photo and a slideshow will begin. Find the x on the slideshow page to close the slideshow.
Nuts for Squirrels 