I wasn't best pleased to see this visitor on one of our balconies, fully thirty feet off the ground. When he noticed me, he leaped off, stuck his little paws out at all four corners and almost glided down to a tree beneath.
Wildlife, ain't it wonderful, eh? I am still glad I persuaded him to leave BEFORE he started munching on the tulips.
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Wildlife, ain't it wonderful, eh? I am still glad I persuaded him to leave BEFORE he started munching on the tulips.
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Believe it or not, I once planted a hundred flower bulbs around our home that the squirrels dug up and ate (for the water maybe?). That was the last time I did that!
ReplyDeleteSquirrels WILL eat those tulip bulbs, I know for a FACT. I wish you luck with your bulbs, I really do, but that squirrel will be back, I am sure of it!
ReplyDeleteNice capture, but oh, they are pesky little things! We gave up on outdoor plants because these fellows are *everywhere*!
ReplyDeleteNaughty squirrel. Have you bought a cage over the bulbs yet? By the way, I LOVE your banner picture.
ReplyDeleteflying! wow. We have some geckos here on the 36th floor :)
ReplyDeleteALOHA from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
~ > < } } ( ° > <3
Cute little culprit! I believe it would uplift public mood generally if all rats could be fitted with fluffy tails. My compliments on a well-composed photo.
ReplyDeleteSince we have the smaller, red variety of squirrels here and not the grey ones, our bulbs are mostly safe :-)
ReplyDeleteBut our male blackbirds attack the yellow crocuses, which is a shame!
That's an amazing photo - I love it! I'm glad the squirrel landed in a tree rather than on hard cement.
ReplyDeleteI like to watch the playful squirrels that scamper around my yard. Their dare-devil antics convince me that they (like cats) have nine lives.
Kawaii! I've read that squirrels are basically rats with fluffy tails, but, awww, they're cute.
ReplyDeleteGlad the tulips-to-be survived, though. :)
How interesting, Meike, I have always been told that red squirrels died out here after the greys were introduced, but surely in Germany there must be grey squirrels around, if not in Germany itself than in adjoining countries. So why didn't they decimate your red squirrels I wonder? Yes, Jon, in fact I think they have 18 lives, twice as many as cats. He wouldn't have jumped if there hadn't been that tree handy, though. He's not a flying squirrel but I did not realise that ordinary regular squirrels could also glide. It was wonderful to see the way he spread his little paws out to make himself into a sort of living breathing kite.
ReplyDeleteThank you Geo, and I was interested to visit your blog and see your lovely post on St Francis's dove!
Annie, I never thought of a cage, but I always thought the fact the balcony is so high AND in full view of my dining room, would protect the bulbs! the squirrels climb up the drain pipe little rascals. Geckos that high up, Cloudia? wow! You do have to hand it to wildlife, that trip up your block must have been like a marathon walk to them!
Oh my a hundred bulbs gone ... surprised those squirrels managed to run around aterwards. One of the annoying things about them though is that they just take a few bites and then try another bulb. Kay, they do try to come back but luckily there are lots of trees outside and mostly it is only the foolhardy ones or maybe the young ones, exploring, who take the risk.
Jenny, I really don't like squirrels, they are pesky animals! We have here the grey ones, they eat all from the feeders, all what was for birds.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weekend!
I have mixed feelings about squirrels - they're pretty, and inventive, and dig up my lawn and eat bird food.
ReplyDeleteI did meet a monkey on a balcony, in Varanasi, tramping over my washing out there to dry. I'm not sure who was more alarmed, but he didn't run off with my knickers tho did leave paw-prints over my only skirt!
If you hadn't been around he would definitely have removed them one by one. On your return you would have had a mystery on your hands wondering where they had gone.
ReplyDeleteWell how is he to know you did not put them out there as a treat for him?? :) Great picture!
ReplyDeleteThat's a naughty Squirrel, but very cute!
ReplyDeleteI have never managed to find any sort of squirrel-proof feeder!
ReplyDeleteAround here it's not the squirrels that eat the bulbs but the chipmunks. Funny thing is they will dig them up, then move them to a 'safe place' which, in my neighborhood, must be my yard/landscape. Seriously, I have spring and summer bulbs that bloom every year that I didn't plant. Talked to the neighbors, and they complain how my yard bloom and the bulbs they planted don't. We've figured out it's those chipmunks for sure ;o)
ReplyDeleteThe squirrels around here like easier excess to their food, namely bird feeders, pet bowls, garbage cans. Now that I think about it, they are just like our raccoons! Needless to say there is a HUGE market her for critter proof items.
I do like squirrels, but unfortunately we don't see that many here. Our native red squirrel is very rare now. The introduction of grey squirrels, like the one in your photo, has meant they have to compete for food. The grey, being more aggressive, has overtaken the red.
ReplyDeleteSquirrels are a gardener's nemesis. DH constantly tries to find ways to outwit them. The squirrels usually win.
ReplyDeleteDarla
His brother here ate out the tip of my vanilla vine on the balcony....
ReplyDeleteWe used to have a pet squirrel, so i know how awfully mischievous they are! You will have to guard those bulbs with your life.
ReplyDeleteYenny, nature is so amazing, that squirrel is a marvel, here is a forest full of them, run through the pine and are a delight, and is just twenty meters from the sea. A hug and good weekend.
ReplyDeleteSquirrels are incredibly crafty, they'll manage to eat just about anything that isn't in a locked safe. And even then they'd probably gnaw through the padlock. I think you'll have to keep your tulips well protected if you want them to survive.
ReplyDeleteWow -- he's a little climber and scrambler! Bushy the Squirrel is Lizzie's greatest tormenter! Glad you got him before he got the bulbs. Don't know if he would have eaten them but may well have dug things up!
ReplyDeleteThey may well be vermin but you can't help admiring their acrobatics. I have to say I think you captured him nicely - on film anyway! No squirrels of any sort here, but the red variety got a mention in The Times this morning as their numbers are still diminishing.
ReplyDeleteExcellent shot! Our problem isn't squirrels, but whitetail deer... Hmph. But here's hoping you get flowers, not tooth marks...
ReplyDeleteCat
Like Claudia, we also have geckos around our house - I counted 7 of them on the outside wall last night. Unlike squirrels, these little guys actually help the household by deling with some of the bugs that are trying to get in. The squirrels are cute though, and incredibly clever - they're just not much good for bulbs or those who like putting out bird food!
ReplyDeleteProbably best to chase him, otherwise he will constantly return.
ReplyDeleteHe's one fat little bugger. We have a squirrel proof bird feeder, but our fat squirrels just sit under and wait for the seed to fall.
ReplyDeleteNo matter how pesky squirrels are, they just look so darned cute. Very nice picture!
ReplyDeleteHave to say Jenny its a jolly fine photo you got of the little brute. I hear a lot of people say they are cute PESTS, and other people, build houses and encourage them into their yards and gardens. Not having squirrels over here I only see them as cute and furry! I wonder, do they carry disease?
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely photo! I have always had a special fondness for squirrels. Amazing he got up so high!
ReplyDeleteWithout knowing how squirrels spoil the pleasure of gardeners, though they may mean no harm, I'd think how nice this environment is where this kind of cute wildlife visits your garden.It's another story but I remember I've read the raccoon (looks so cute) appeared in the unexpected place such as the site of a temple in a city and ate freshwater crabs, nibbles or scratches the pillars or walls. They say that is because someone who kept the one as a pet let them( I don't know how many) go.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment on my narcissi post. Here they are often arranged as a New Year flower to usher in early spring. Its color, fragrance, appearance, and timing to bloom really reminds us light and hope for a new year.
Like someone says, your banner photo is so gorgeous and mysterious.
Cute but pesky creatures.
ReplyDeleteWe have only one and sometimes, when it’s really cold, I let him/her linger on the bird table.
What a cute little rascal, though. :)
ReplyDeleteI just read what you posted on my blog...too funny....hope it was a good dream!
ReplyDeleteLovely pic - I quite like the little fellow. Guess not so much if he was eating my garden - but wildlife is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteAnna :o]
I've always had a soft spot for squirrels, myself. I look out of my kitchen window and see them trying to negotiate the "squirrel-proof" bird feeders of my neighbors. I have to admit, I'm rooting for them to succeed. Nothing against birds, as I like them, also, but I admire the persistence and problem solving :-)
ReplyDeleteThey are so cute, but we also have many of these critters in our yard and they eat many of the fruits on our trees.
ReplyDeleteThat's neat about him gliding away Jenny. Animals can be fascinating huh? - Dave
ReplyDeleteYour header photo is very apt for today! And aw, cute little guy, but I can understand why you wouldn't want him around!
ReplyDeleteAw you made a new friend!! I hope you had a great St. Patrick's Day!!
ReplyDeleteCute squirrel! I like his eyes, fluffy tail and paws! I did not know squirrels have such long fingers.
ReplyDeleteTomoko
Wait, what do you mean by "almost" glided?
ReplyDeleteI'm not fond of squirrels, but I do like this picture. Glad you scared the little blighter away so you'll have tulips--much preferable to squirrels.
ReplyDeleteSquirrels are like hyperactive kids but very sweet creatures..your picture & writing all so captivating..GOD<3U
ReplyDeleteBeaut photo Jenny! Such cute creatures but, yes, it did have a greedy look in its eye!
ReplyDeleteWas so interesting reading all the above comments too. Those squirrels can be quite inventive indeed :D)
So lovely picture, Jenny :0) I've missed a couple of posts here, my WIFI was so bed that I was unable to read or leave a comments on some blogs. Great shoot! How you did it?
ReplyDeleteKisses to you from snowy and sunny Moscow
Natasha
Our squirrels leave the bulbs alone. It's a good job really otherwise the mice would go hungry!!!
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ReplyDelete-E- I do not know really whether he decided to jump or glide. Perhaps he began by jumping and then it turned into a glide. interesting point, I hadn't really thought about why I used that "almost" before!
ReplyDeleteSuldog, I think that "squirrel proof" is simply a meaningless expression. They can even undo wing nuts, I know this for a fact!
Naughty squirrel! I wonder if he thought "Phew! close call," after gliding down. Reminds me of Beatrix Potter's "Tale of Peter Rabbit" and the warning the mother used to give the young rabbits about going into Mr. MacGregor's garden! Didn't their father get caught and find himself in a rabbit stew?
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, I hope you have kept many of your tulips free from squirrel invasions. They are such lovely springtime bulbs and somehow make the Easter season complete.
Jenny
I once had a little lean to at back of our home where I used to pot up bulbs and plants in pots to put out. A squirrel came right into the house through the back door open only slightly and began to dig vigorously in one of the bulb pots. He made a hasty exit when one of our cats spotted him, but as he ran he through a whole tirade of insults and swear words over his shoulder at the cat! When my potted bulbs did not come up, I knew why ... he had returned later and eaten the lot. Minerva ~
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photo! I'm one of those sad people that continues to love squirrels and urban foxes no matter how many times I have to take my cat to the vet with scratches and bitten ears.
ReplyDeleteThere I was in London and I saw my first squirrel!!! My Wows and whoops of delight were responded to by my host along the lines of 'Meh!!!'. Still, here in Australia, the kangaroos that live in the bush beyond our back paddock make attempts to establish a garden reasonably difficult by crashing into the newply planted trees... if they have not eaten them first. It's all relative, isn't it?
ReplyDelete