Peek! |
Reddy peeks at me from the bucket, perhaps camera shy!
The sun is coming up beyond the forest.
It gives beautiful highlights to Red's ear tufts.
I have spotted three red squirrels on the front porch alone, all at one time. I cannot tell them apart!
Our twin kittens, inclined to cross the road as the other black cat, have been on a tight leash. We have a bird feeder to keep them amused and closer to home.
Red Squirrels, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus, a tree rat, they do not hibernate, unlike the ground squirrels.
They mate in early spring, 35 or so days later producing 2 - 7 blind, naked, helpless babes.
They are weaned in a couple of months, and then fend for themselves shortly thereafter.
Lifespans average 2 - 7 years, depending upon predators, and environmental issues.
She nibbles on the maple tree leaf buds! |
Once populations decline, thanks to environmental issues, e.g., food shortages, or predators like Ollie, more will reproduce with some having two litters a year, the 2nd in August.
They are omnivores, and eat seeds, tree buds, including nuts and cones. Also, they'll eat insects, eggs or mice if they fall their way.
Dumb as bricks, they set up in a burrow in the garden outside the back door behind our home: with three cats.
beautiful coat colour! |
It eyes me from between the railing! |
Oct., 2009 - a fine specimen! |
for more Camera Critters #202 |
21 comments:
The red squirrels are pretty, I like their colring much more than our gray squirrels I see here. Wonderful post and photos. Happy weekend!
"TV for our cats"....what a hoot. And oh, so very true.
Precious squirrel images, they're so fun to watch for us humanoids too.
My Saturday Link: HE'S ALL KNOWING...ALL SEEING
Hope you're having a great weekend so far.
Our dogs go nuts with the squirrels. The only thing the squirrels seem concerned about are the hawks that come check us out every now and then.
Great series!
I love to watch the squirrels and their antics.
We had a couple of babies and their parents in the yard last summer but I'm not sure what happened to them. We have a grey one and a red one that keep the walnut trees bare. :)
TV for cats ... too true! Love the red squirrels ... different from the squirrels here. Happy Critter Day!
Those squirrel pics are delightful!
Nice selection, this breed is pretty rare now these days. Thanks for sharing:)
beautiful, this life going on around us!
Your squirrel in the bucket photos are fantastic. The sun is shining just perfectly on the squirrel.
The squirrels are so cute!
Maybe dumb, bur funny. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
The red squirrels are so cute. I love their ear tufts.
Super squirrel pictures. Great description of these pesky little critters. The red squirrel the only native we have here. Gray squirrels have been introduced and thrive in the Calgary area.
I love to watch squirrels, even though they are such thieves at the bird feeders!
It's a good thing they have compensatory reproduction if they're silly enough to burrow at your house.
Loved the photos, Jenn.
K
squirrels are so cute..nice pics
My Camera-Critters
Jill: I think red Squirrels are a beautiful animal.
Love the red squirrels - and your commentary!
Lovely photos.
Regards and best wishes
I love squirrels, I have a few post on my blog with these beautiful critters. Have a nice week. Greetings from Romania.
Dumb as bricks probably, but cute as can be for sure! The one in the bucket is priceless!
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