My Squirrel Food Is For The Birds

In our last episode with Skippy and Squiggy we saw them in marital bliss. They moved into a penthouse right over my deck. Squiggy gave birth to four of the cutest rodents you've ever seen. I was not invited to the circumcisions, baptisms, or any other isms. As a matter of fact they've been a little snooty to me. I realize that they are rodents and are raised with no sense of etiquette or decorum. But, they have been eating sunflower seeds, acorns, pecans, peanuts, etc. that I have put out for them for over a year now. They acknowledge nothing. If I try to take a photo of them or the children they run like I was going fry them up for dinner.

Look- Squiggy is eating food that I have supplied, but she is eying me, perched on the gate, ready to scramble away to safety. "I get no respect."

So I put more and more food out and hoped that the birds would be more friendly.

But birds, too, are a wary lot as well. There was apprehension and curiosity with this Cardinal.

This Cardinal was curious but would not come within "shooting" distance.

This TuftedTitmouse seems to be trusting with its back to me. No way. Check out that left eye looking back.

Nobody wants their picture taken. They all scurry, jump, or fly at the slightest movement from me.

This Cardinal seems to be a sentinel for others.

This may be a House Finch. It never comes inside though. It may be an Outhouse Finch.

Here's a common scene with everyone dining and enjoying each others company. Not only am I not welcome but I have to photograph them from behind one and sometimes two glass doors.

Some birds frighten others away. These seem to be playing well together.

Yep- this is Horatio munching and pretending that nuts grow on trees.

These two just turn their backs to me and act as though I don't exist.

Here's Squeaky. The kids have grown up so fast (with the help of my gifts of food).

This may be a White-throated Sparrow or Golden-Crowned Kinglet.

The bird ignoring me on the left is a Wren. The bird on the right may be an Ovenbird.

Another block party!

These two Cardinals seemed to have an eye for each other.

The Cardinal thinks the Wren is eating too much.

Here's a male Purple Finch.

Here are some Cardinals lurking. They will watch the deck railing as if the seeds will appear by magic. When I open the door to put food out, they will fly away in terror. It may take a half hour and more to trust the food and surrounding area. They haven't figured out that I can't fly.

Lurking for food. Very often there will be thirty Cardinals on the deck. There will be 30 or 50 more in the yard scavenging for food.

Here is a Red-bellied Woodpecker. Also in the winter here I have seen Pileated Woodpeckers, and many Downy Woodpeckers.

You can tell that this is a Red-bellied Woodpecker because of its white belly.

Squeamish is keeping a watchful eye.

I thought the winter might be the leanest time for squirrels but "searching info" I came to know that the spring may be the worst. Seeds are turning into buds or plants or rotting.

I love the colors of the Purple Finch.

Squirmy is as cautious as the rest.

That's a big pecan for a small bird!

Crows will lurk until I walk out. They may stay a while and then all leave together. I can't afford to feed the crows too. I hate to discriminate. They're so large.

Beautiful Doves.

Birds of a feather flock together. Each species seem to come and go all at once, together. These Blue Jays come as a group. I saw a dozen hanging out together.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SQUIRREL APPRECIATION DAY

by theherbivorehippi

There's no other animal that gives us a reason to slam on our brakes while driving at full speed more often than this one.

Check out this squirrel link by Peggy W:

Funny - Short - Squirrel - Stories

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