Frank Baron
Old Crow
Registered: 11-2011
Posts: 2147
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Tree Rats
Aka, squirrels. Some love 'em, some hate 'em. Count me among the former.
In the past year, I've enjoyed watching a family of black (grey) squirrels. Their nest is in a neighbour's yard but I'm the guy with the birdseed everywhere, so they became regular visitors. (Much to Ben's somewhat mixed pleasure.)
The Mom is quite recognizable, as she has a white tip on her tail and her belly fur is tinged with white now too. I can't tell her three kids apart but it was fun watching them play together over the past few months.
About 6-8 weeks ago, I noticed the Mom chasing her kids out of the nest, one by one. They were stubborn because I witnessed a few hissing, scolding chases when one (or another) tried to get back in.
I figured Mom was preggers again, or wanting to be, and needed the room. I'll probably find out in a few weeks.
In any event, two of the three siblings have started making nests at Chez Baron. One is in a tall cedar. The other is in the corner of my dining room window.
Ben is NOT happy about that one at all. I've had to block the area because he kept leaping up and scratching the walls with his claws.
The squirrel, of course, looked on benignly. After a year of dodging him, they know when they're safe.
Clever little beggars. :)
--- You can observe a lot just by watching - Yogi Berra
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2/23/2012, 6:51 pm
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ChunkyC
Heron
Registered: 11-2011
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Re: Tree Rats
Squirrels is cool. I like just about all mammals. Insects are another matter altogether. My logical mind sez we needs 'em, but they still squick me out more often than not.
--- "The first five days after the weekend are the toughest." - A. Nonny Mousse
http://floodsweattears.blogspot.ca/
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2/23/2012, 8:00 pm
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Frank Baron
Old Crow
Registered: 11-2011
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Re: Tree Rats
I used to share that ick-factor with bugs too, especially spiders. But partly because of my return to photography, and partly because I'm becoming an all-round (quiet q!) nature nut, I've taken an interest in them the past few years.
They're such marvels! The more I study them, the more I admire them. The more I admire them, the less likely I am to smite one should it appear where it is not wanted. I am now a trapper-and-carrier-out of such bugs. If I think it's too cold outside for them, I'll release them in the garage and wish 'em luck.
I should however, state for the record that I do NOT admire mosquitoes and other biting beasties.
They still needs fear me. ;)
--- You can observe a lot just by watching - Yogi Berra
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2/24/2012, 2:08 am
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Jena Grace
Den Mother
Registered: 08-2006
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Re: Tree Rats
I love squirrels. I can't tell you how many times I almost went through the windshield braking for those little buggers.
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2/25/2012, 7:25 pm
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ChunkyC
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Registered: 11-2011
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Re: Tree Rats
quote: Frank Baron wrote:
I used to share that ick-factor with bugs too, especially spiders. But partly because of my return to photography, and partly because I'm becoming an all-round (quiet q!) nature nut, I've taken an interest in them the past few years.
They're such marvels! The more I study them, the more I admire them. The more I admire them, the less likely I am to smite one should it appear where it is not wanted. I am now a trapper-and-carrier-out of such bugs. If I think it's too cold outside for them, I'll release them in the garage and wish 'em luck.
I should however, state for the record that I do NOT admire mosquitoes and other biting beasties.
They still needs fear me.
I certainly don't kill anything unnecessarily, but you won't EVER catch me watching Fear Factor, let alone be on the show. EWWWWWW!!!
--- "The first five days after the weekend are the toughest." - A. Nonny Mousse
http://floodsweattears.blogspot.ca/
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2/26/2012, 10:33 am
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Maajah Vee
Egg
Registered: 12-2011
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Re: Tree Rats
I'm thinking I could do with lessons from the mama squirrel about moving the kidlets out! Not that I'm planning to have more! Got the grandees to fill that need )
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4/10/2012, 12:17 am
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Frank Baron
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Registered: 11-2011
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Re: Tree Rats
Mama was definitely preggers. She and the new kid have been providing quite a few chuckles here for the last couple of weeks. The young one behaves like Kato of Pink Panther fame, tackling Mom and knocking her over whenever she's occupied with something else.
Seems she only had one survivor this time, after birthing three last spring (and raising all to maturity).
--- You can observe a lot just by watching - Yogi Berra
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4/10/2012, 3:00 pm
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Maajah Vee
Egg
Registered: 12-2011
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Re: Tree Rats
"Only child syndrome!" poor mama!
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4/10/2012, 9:30 pm
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qupie
Chickadee
Registered: 11-2011
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Re: Tree Rats
It is sweet to watch them together. They had me entertained, early one morning while they played in the window box.
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4/11/2012, 3:40 pm
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Maajah Vee
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Registered: 12-2011
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Re: Tree Rats
nods ... we have two crows that love our bird bath ... Heckle and Jeckle (of course) they provide a lot of entertainment with their antics and constant domestics ... we often dub their discourse with what we think they are arguing about and the children often have the funniest concepts (usually around something they have observed in the family ... mental note watch Ps&Qs).
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4/11/2012, 9:33 pm
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