Friends

29 October 2014

The Bane of my Life

One of the funniest sights I have seen in my garden is the squirrel sliding down the upright pole of the bird feeder. Slithering gracefully downwards as the Vaseline prevented a sure foothold. It reminded me of an incident at our old house when we hung bags of birdseed on an old washing line suspended from wall to wall…. and the squirrel doing a good impression of a Commando on exercise. However, contrary to my original thought that I had defeated the squirrel, he has now mastered a way of standing on the wrought iron ring and helping himself to sunflower seeds. Admittedly he can’t break anything since the seed holders are constructed of solid all-in-one pieces but it still riles to see him there. The only consolation I have is finding clumps of squirrel fur stuck in the Vaseline. With a bit of luck the varmint will soon be coatless! Ah, what a sight that would be!

Animals are remarkable, though. Take the other morning, for instance, when I had a full parade of field mice instead of one or two. The morning was fine and sunny but the forecast was for a hurricane to hit the UK so I reckoned the mice were gathering food in case it was wiped out by that white and wet stuff known as snow. The squirrel too was collecting nuts instead of eating them on the spot. They are, after all, well known for hoarding. As it turned out my area suffered very little damage from the storm so I guess the food hoard was scoffed ready for replacement.

That’s not to say I’m friends with the squirrel again, how can I be when he tries to eat everything in sight and totally defies human beings. He treats the new feeding station like a gymnasium, sliding, swinging, climbing, and gambolling. He is nimble fingered, sure footed, cunning, totally fearless, and is becoming the bane of my life. Yes, I’m beginning to hate him. After all he comes from the rat family and we all know what little horrors they are.

My cleaning lady told me that her mother feeds the squirrel, to which I replied ‘So do I’. Well I do … unintentionally.

16 comments:

  1. "He treats the new feeding station like a gymnasium, sliding, swinging, climbing, and gambolling."

    HA! Valerie, aren't squirrels the most clever little creatures? It's remarkable to me how they can figure out how to get around any deterrent preventing them from getting food. It's like they just know.

    And yes, they can be pesky at times, but oh...I do adore them in spite of it.

    I love how you concluded this post...

    "My cleaning lady told me that her mother feeds the squirrel, to which I replied ‘So do I’. Well I do … unintentionally."

    Hilarious!

    Have a super Wednesday, dear lady!

    X to you and Joe!

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  2. He sure is a little rebel! I guess you two have a love-hate relationship! :)

    Mersad
    Mersad Donko Photography

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  3. Ron, heehee I loved your comment. I have to say that my new role in life is to champion the birds. I would love the squirrel if he would just pop in once a day instead of on the hour every hour. I can't keep up!

    Mersad, I guess you're right... with a lot more emphasis on the hate part.

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  4. I guess I let them feed but it is frustrating to put out good food and have them gorge it down keeping the birds off the feeder.

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  5. My squirrels are having a field day with all the walnuts that are in my yard.

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  6. oh come on...i love squrrels...they are so funny to watch...sure they might get into things...but they are so cute...and resourceful ha

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  7. Larry, the squirrel usually breaks whatever feeders we put out for the birds, and the current one is new so I would hate to have it vandalised by a mere squirrel ... which he is trying hard to do.

    Brian, resourceful is a good word... pity the squirrel has to break everything in order to prove it. I could perhaps ship our squirrels over to you if you want.... smiles.

    BC, WOW walnuts... how nice. Wondering how long it takes a squirrel to chew one?

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  8. Little blighted aren't they? Where there's a will, there's a way!

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  9. Always amazed how clever squirrels are ... A friend is convinced they can undo wing nuts!

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  10. Hilarious, Valerie! Squirrels are my nemesis too! I see nothing cute about them.

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  11. I've found it a little embarrassing to be consistently outsmarted by a squirrel....:(

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  12. Isn't it amazing what animals can accomplish when faced with a challenge, this squirrel has in fact gotten you to feed the squirrels when you really thought you were stopping him from stealing the bird seed, sometimes it takes them a while to train us Ha Ha

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  13. Jimmy, I hadn't thought of that. Perhaps I should get a special feeder for the squirrel with a notice to the birds to keep off... lol.

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  14. TB, I haven't reached the embarrassed stage yet. I still want to fight off the squirrel... smiles.

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  15. Bald squirrel someone would pay to see that.

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  16. Uh huh.....and we have a whole family of those little boogers. LOL I tried the Vaseline on the pole trick and wound up with greasy footed squirrels and nothing more. I've shouted, scolded, threatened, pleaded....even given them their own food and eating spot....nope, they want the birdy's food. :-/ Himself decided to take them on and started squirting them with the hose....which turned into a game, first for the squirrel and then for himself. They're now buddies and he's even named the one. LOL. I give up....once they have names, the gig is up and you just surrender! ;-)

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