Saturday, March 26, 2011

Camera Critters #155

When I settled in central Oregon, I didn’t think I would miss squirrels…but I do.  I never saw one when I lived in Prineville. 

When I moved to Redmond, once again, no squirrels.

Then one morning after I sat down at my computer, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed movement at a seed bell I hung in a tree right outside my window.  For a moment, my thought was, “What’s he doing here?”

Then I stopped asking questions, grabbed the camera and began shooting.  At that time, my camera was a Sony Mavica FD-90, which saved images to floppy disks.  I fired a few, then sat and watched as the Western Gray Squirrel made a meal of the seeds in the bell.

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Western Gray Squirrels are found primarily along the coastal areas, but are also associated with the Ponderosa Pines on the east side of the Cascades where I live.  But there are no Ponderosa Pines near my house…only Juniper Trees.

The squirrel continued hanging out in the area for most of the year.  During the summer, I would toss unshelled peanuts out for it, which it would quickly grab and bury in the loose soil.  Unfortunately, a Western Scrub Jay also hung around for the peanut fest and as the squirrel buried a peanut, the jay would remove it, and rebury it somewhere else.

I guess the Gray Squirrel got tired of the game and took off for parts unknown.  I never saw him again.

Misty Dawn’s Camera Critter Meme is a great way see critters the world over. Go to the homepage here to see more. Then join the fun and add your own.

7 comments:

Living In Williamsburg Virginia said...

Nice photos. Can't imagine life without squirrels scampering around.

Darryl and Ruth : )

eileeninmd said...

Nice shots! Gee, I have so many squirrels here. I would be happy to send you some.

Misty DawnS said...

I'm sure you'll be shocked to hear that we both featured squirrels in our CCs this week. hehe
But... I thought you had a particular squirrel in your life almost every day??? ;-P

Unknown said...

Squirrels are always fun!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

teresa said...

Squirrels are entertaining to be sure but I live across the street from a park filled with oaks and boy do those little devils like to get into my vegetable garden. Ahh the cost of good entertainment...

Anonymous said...

What a charming creature!

Roan said...

We have lots around here, but they are camera shy. Great shots!