Tuesday 28 July 2009

Treerats and Toads

The mature trees around the back yard are always full of marauding squirrels, all wanting a piece of the birdseed action. It's a constant battle to outwit them so that there's something left for the birds to eat.

But this young chap is bolder than most. He didn't listen to his mummy when she told him that humans can be dangerous.

He shinned up the pole and made himelf at home in the bird feeder, and no matter how close I came.....

..... he just carried on munching......

..... finally getting his picture taken at only six inches away. And he kept on munching... and munching.
Fearless Freddie, that's what I call him.

Then, on my way back to the house, I almost stepped on this youngster.

Ewww.... that would have been squishy!

19 comments:

  1. Wow, that's a lot of wild animals between the bird feeder and your house. :-)

    The squirrels get used to humans very quickly so they don't fear us any more.

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  2. My husband used to hunt and would bring back many squirrels. I would cook them as a French “ragout” with red wine or white wine. Well, now that we are retired he has lost his interest in hunting and we have, just like you, at least ½ dozen squirrels which constantly empty the 5 bird feeders. I run outside with a broom to scare them but they come right back. I am thinking about getting a BB gun, but my husband says he likes to watch them – what should I do? My budget can’t afford my keeping buying seeds for the birds.

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  3. The squirrel's are brazen, aren't they. The toad would have been squishy indeed. I do love them though...toads and frogs.

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  4. I think he's adorable, and silly but sweet that he let you get that close. And if you think a squirrel can empty a feeder real quick, you should see what a raccoon can do with it! Cute toad too. I'm glad you didn't step on him. Fine shots, Shammie.

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  5. Re: Don't Stare, Grow Your Own.

    Those who stare are usually the ones who can't grow their own. :-)

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  6. Interesting that you were able to get so close o the squirrel. Fearless indeed! ;-)

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  7. Some widdle waskel that squwewel is.

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  8. What a cute squirrel! I saw one outside my father's house before and I tried to approach but it ran away immediately.

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  9. I'm a big fan of squirrels, myself. They are amazing at figuring things out. Give them a puzzle - leave them some obscure way to get to a feeder - and they will. I understand that folks like pretty birds, and they put the seed out for the birds, but the squirrels can be at least as entertaining, IMHO.

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  10. Oh, squirrels are pests, aren't they? Good pic, though. Good thing you didn't squish that poor little toad.

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  11. Have been absent some ten days, but now I have checked your posts, especially about the Lake Huron which looks very inviting!

    The little squirrel must have felt that you are a friendly person! Incredible how close you got!

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  12. oh! our squirrels aren't nearly that brazen.

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  13. If you make it down to Maine, I will take you to Weathervane for the 2 lobster for $19.95. :-)

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  14. eeeew it would!

    i'm so glad not to get squirrels in my garden. Don't know why, but only 2 seen in about17 years. But some of the squirrel-proof bird feeders do work according to my family

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  15. I felt a bit sick when I read Vagabonde's comments about shooting squirrels and eating them. We don't have squirrels here in Oz, but we do have possums - little furry animals who also like to eat birdseed! I couldn't imagine killing them to eat, although I believe the aboriginals did, and also early white settlers.
    I think your squirrels are so cute, and they have as much right to food as birds! (okay, I'm on the other side of the world and don't understand squirrel problems, right?!)

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  16. I’d like to add that my post above was trying to be humorous. Squirrels are legal to hunt here, just as ducks and deer, during the hunting season, but my husband has not been hunting in years, and the last squirrel stew I cooked must have been in 1988. Actually we are almost vegetarian and eat meat about once a month if that much. We usually have one hamburger a season, and that is all. We have a special tray for the squirrels and buy food for them but they do go and eat the bird seeds too, just like the chipmunks do, and the raccoons and possums at night. We do not like chicken and eat soy meat substitute.

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