A squirrel is just a rat with a cuter outfit! (Sarah Jessica Parker)
We don’t have squirrels here in Australia. Nor did we have them in New Zealand. The animal that comes closest, for me, is the possum. Australia protects possums. I have no idea why – perhaps because they are native to here. In New Zealand, they are considered vermin. Some enterprising Kiwis make hats and gloves out of their fur. It’s very snuggly.
My first encounter with squirrels was as a teenager. My family had travelled to Frankfurt for a white Christmas with my German Grandmother. My wonderful Omi would feed the birds and the squirrels in feeders outside the large picture window in front of her garden. The squirrels would appear from the eaves and shamelessly watch us from the safety of the other side of the glass. They fascinated me. I spent ages looking out for them. I have had a soft spot for them ever since.
O sweet September, they first breezes bring dry leaf’s rustle and the squirrel’s laughter, the cool fresh air whence health and vigour spring and promise of exceeding joy hereafter. (George Arnold)
I suspect Londoners laugh at tourists taking happy snaps of the squirrels while wandering through Hyde Park, but that didn’t matter to me as LM and I encountered this little guy during one of walks…
(Image by TSL)
(Image by TSL)
(Image by TSL)
(Image by TSL)
(Image by TSL)
(Image by TSL)
(Image by TSL)
(Image by TSL)
I never realised that they had no squirrels in Australia. They are very cute especially when they stop for a nibble on some acorns! I remember them eating all the foods left out for the birds when we were kids! 🙂
Nope, BCD. No squirrels (at least, not that I’m aware of and certainly not native!)
We watched him for quite some time. He wasn’t bothered by us at all.
They are a stitch – such great acrobats. In Michigan, we have grey and black squirrels. The black ones are, as you might imagine, extremely cute — not so rodent looking.
I’ve never seen a black squirrel. How cool!
My Omi always had red ones. They were kind of cute, too. 🙂
Great pics, TSL – the second one is my favourite, looks like he was on to you! 🙂
He was definitely on to us, Sparks.
I love them too and my Dad has special feeders out in the garden for them
I reckon I’d like your Dad, Crazy!
I adore squirrels I saw my first one in Central Park NYC and squealed like a two year old. Then took as many shots as you. What a lovely Xmas memory.
Awww – that makes me happy!
You post has funny timing. Jack just got me a possum fur hat and scarf from New Zealand. Took them out for a walk in the cold, chilly, snowy wind today. They were so warm! Who knew possums had fur?!
Lovely, soft, snuggly, cozy fur… 🙂