Red Squirrel

This is a permanent dweller in our gardens and oak trees. He 'helps' by putting the acorns in his stash instead of the garden.

A delightful banner of the little critter. It sounds like he's earning his keep, and perhaps amuses you occasionally.

Fleur569 said:A delightful banner of the little critter. It sounds like he's earning his keep, and perhaps amuses you occasionally.

I agree with what Fleur said.

I like this kind of squirrel better than the gray ones we get 365 days of the year. I think they're cuter than the gray ones. Once in a great awhile, we'll see one of these squirrels like you get.

I guess I had forgotten about this banner until tonight. I grew up having these squirrels around my home and in my yards. They naturalize easily in all wooded areas; even in towns and city parks. Their upper body is a speckled black-brown-orange combination with brown under parts. Occasionally there are slight variations in color. As a child we referred to them as 'Red Squirrels' because of the orange-red color which is dominate. However the Department of Natural Resources classifies it as a fox squirrel (Sciurus niger).

My property is fairly well populated with oaks and conifers which gives them ideal habitat and food supplies. Some folks might not like them; however I enjoy them because they are very attractive and fit into my idea of 'country life'. They have caused no damage or harm to the property or gardens. In fact they are experts at acorn removal from the lawn and flower gardens (preventing oak seedlings). They also clean up any stray ears of corn from the garden patch too. We enjoy watching them play and search for acorns on the ground. And they love drinking from the bird bath too.

This is the actual photo the banner is taken from. Somehow it got reversed with the squirrel actually facing right.
This was taken in May 21, 2014 (note the dandelions in the grass).


These are photos of a different squirrel at the bird bath. Taken in October, 2017.

Leon,

That's what our squirrels do too. Drink from the pedestal birdbath (we use a heater in cold months and a water wiggler year round, but always from spring til freeze for sure), as well as sharpening their teeth on the outside of it (as in your second pic).

That's what I thought it was, a fox squirrel and that's what I've always called them.

Great banner Leon!

I love this banner! Squirrels can be so fascinating to watch. In the past we have raised orphaned baby squirrels and the fox squirrel is much more laid back. Here, the grey squirrel is called a cat squirrel and they take over by running the fox squirrel off. The cat squirrel always acts like he has ADHD, wearing me out to watch them.

Fun banner! Thanks....

Adorable little squirrel and a great banner. Thanks, Leon. We have lots of grey squirrels in England, sadly they have chased off most of the red squirrels, which are now confined to a few areas.

Leon, what an awesome banner! I agree with everyone - what a delight!!! They are quite entertaining with their antics. We have TONS of grey squirrels, wish we had a few fox squirrels too. Though not sure if they're common in this area.

We do have white squirrels in NC. In Brevard they have a white squirrel festival every year.

https://www.romanticasheville....

I've only seen one once in my neighborhood. Very cool!

Thank you for sharing additional pics and for the story. I've seen you mention a few times on the banner forum how much you learn and I couldn't agree more!

Love the squirrel

Thanks everyone for your comments. I enjoy reading your input and your experiences with them. Everyone benefits from mother nature's critters and their companionship. They can teach us a lot if we pay attention. And yes, they deserve a place in our lives just to watch and enjoy them. But we must remember to keep our distance and give them their space.

Kristi, ADHD?

Marilyn, "sharpening teeth"? So that's what leaves the marks on the bird bath! I learned something!

Casey, Great article! I used to travel to Raleigh years ago for my work. I love that state especially along I-40 up in the mountains west of Ashville; so scenic up there!

Thanks Ginny!

BTW here are a couple more squirrel photos from Feb. 2015. I had been feeding them sunflower seeds in the bitter cold. I think this one is an expectant mother.

Leon, I'll give you for the banner, but I despise those tree rats. They've destroyed some of my birdhouses, feeders and lounge chair cushions. Buggers the lot of them!

I suppose, in an attempt to find good in all things... they're kind of funny when it's a brisk morning and they're bouncing to and from and generally acting a nut. There, I tried.

GaNinFl said:I suppose, in an attempt to find good in all things... they're kind of funny when it's a brisk morning and they're bouncing to and from and generally acting a nut. There, I tried.

Stan, I can understand the frustration. I have the same problems with house sparrows tearing up my bluebird nests. Then the blue jays destroy my robins' nests! And I have to watch the cats at all times! But my biggest problem is the moles tearing up the flower beds!

Always better to try than not, even when it's difficult! I can sympathize because stuff happens to me too. So annoying!

pod said:Here, the grey squirrel is called a cat squirrel and they take over by running the fox squirrel off. The cat squirrel always acts like he has ADHD, wearing me out to watch them.

That's what the gray squirrels do when the fox squirrel(s) arrive here too, unfortunately.

TBGDN said:

Marilyn, "sharpening teeth"? So that's what leaves the marks on the bird bath! I learned something!

BTW here are a couple more squirrel photos from Feb. 2015. I had been feeding them sunflower seeds in the bitter cold. I think this one is an expectant mother.

I think the squirrels discovered that not only get they get water from the birdbath, they discovered they have a place that their teeth can get sharpened. Ours is a concert birdbath and pedestal, so I don't know if they leave marks. We just see them doing both (drinking and afterward, sharpening).

That squirrel is so cute. Thank you posting the pics Leon. When she brings the babies (juvies) to your yard, maybe you can get some pics of all of them.

To the following:
CarolineScott, cliftoncat, dirtdorphins, Fleur569, Frenchy2, GaNinFl, greenappleagnes, greene, HemNorth, iciris, jmorth, Legalily, Lestv, Marilyn, plantmanager, pod, vic wildflowers, & zuzu
Sincere thanks for your comments & thumbs. I especially like your comments & input.

Also cliftoncat, Fleur569, greenappleagnes, & Marilyn
Thanks for your generosity in acorns.

All of you are the 'spice' of the banner forum. Your thoughts, comments and opinions are the 'glue' that holds this forum together!
And you make it a happy learning experience for everyone. You are all unique and form a winning combination!

Love the banner Leon!

Ha, look what I just found! Tomorrow is Squirrel Appreciation Day!!

https://nationaldaycalendar.co...

Too funny! Let's all leave some extra treats for them.

Dana Thanks!

Casey Thanks, I learned something new; Tomorrow is Squirrel Appreciation Day!!

Also I found this page on flickr showing pics of the smaller 'cousins'. The striped
ones we have here and call them chipmunks.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/...