According to the National Wildlife Federation, today is Squirrel Appreciation Day. Do these squirrels look like they need appreciating? To me, the Squirrelhaven squirrels look awfully fat and healthy.
They should be appreciating me.
The only reasons this one isn't stuffing its face is because I was standing next to the frozen pumpkins taking a photo of my Daphne, and it was barking at me to get me to leave. They don't know how good they've got it. Do you appreciate your squirrels? Or is the idea of Squirrel Appreciation Day just plain nuts?
26 comments:
The squirrels bark at you? Now that is rather cheeky!
It's Nuts! The population is so out of control round here they are putting up perches for raptors in East Bay areas to try a 'natural' control approach. Wish they were doing so in my neighborhood. We do have lovely owls round about, but they go for mice & rats ;-)
I once knew someone who did her dissertation on squirrel communication. They talk with their tails as well as other sounds they make. Mine are a bit pesky here, as they get into the barn walls and underneath pulling out insulation ... causing my pipes in the studio to freeze. Mostly I do not mine them ... in England they are hunting them I am afraid they have become real pests there... killing off their native red squirrels. Having said all this ... if you wish to have a day to set aside in honor of your squirrels ... why not? You might end up getting more fluffy tails than you wish for however... once word gets out. I do think it is sweet and good to think of our fellow creatures in a kindly way. ;>))
No, I don't like my squirrels at all. Well, maybe a little since we had a bumper crop of acorns last year. I guess they do serve a purpose. But we've known you forever and can't come here without thinking about them.
Let me take a shot at it, Ms MMD of Squirrelhaven:
Squirrels have been such trouble-makers in all 5 of our gardens that they are the usual suspects when something is damaged or disappears. I appreciate having a handy target for my venom.... don't have to waste time cudgeling one's brain when odds are that squirrels dug up the bulbs and ate them!
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
(my squirrels bark too - also do that weird grumbling thing)
I have tried to feed them to keep them off of the birdfeeders and out of the garden. HA! They provide some entertainment, but generally they are a pain in ***! gail
I would appreciate squirrels a whole lot more if I was hungry.
Squirrel Appreciation Day?!?
bah humbug
The squirrels here bark & otherwise tell me off too when I'm preventing them from hanging upside down on the suet feeder, lol! Great pics! And your header is Gorgeous! I'm all for squirrels appreciating Humans day!
I HAD NO IDEA SUCH SQUIRREL BIGOTRY EXISTED!
I happen to love them
wild life that belongs
belonged way before I belonged on this plot of earth
I wish I had beautiful red ones...saw a black one once
I have no problem getting over their mischief..I adjust
For all the pleasure they give me
it is a bargain
SO THERE
Thanks for telling me about the holiday
I'll throw out some peanuts
THERE AGAIN
Appreciate squirrels - moi - never in a month of Sundays :)
Sure I'll appreciate squirrels...with some fava beans and a nice Chianti! :D
Jodi made me laugh out loud. Squirrel appreciation week is a bit much MMD. Yes they might be enjoyable to watch, but they play havoc with more than one thing, like our fruit trees and half eaten apples.
Squirrel Appreciation Day might make more sense in a place where they're lacking, but since they're running amok in most places, it seems pretty silly. I don't particularly appreciate mine.
I was about to get ready for bed, but had to come here first to read about squirrel appreciation day. What a hoot! I think my squirrels should appreciate my husband, who feeds them, and our daughter-in-law, who dumped a sack of acorns out for them a week ago. I don't appreciate it that Larry dumped what was left of the acorns on the snow in my herb garden. I'll probably have squirrels digging up my herbs this summer. I won't appreciate that!
I do like taking their pictures, though.
Well, thanks for the information and great photos!
Just nuts, they are a pain in the arse!! We have them by the dozens at any one time in our yard!!
It's plain nuts in my garden! I know some people have a soft spot for them. But they've always been a pest in my yard. And they bark at me sometimes too. Did you know they have a real squirrel hunting season where I live? :-)
Thanks, everyone, I'm grinning at your wonderful responses. And no, I have no desire to eat one, even with a nice Chianti.
Suz - you may be in the minority, but it's good to know the squirrels have a few friends. I do like the black ones. I've seen half a dozen of them around here (not together, but in different neighborhoods, so I know it's not the same black squirrel stalking me).
My squirrels like to chatter at me too if I talk on the phone outside near them. I guess they think they own the place or something. We don't have any grey squirrels here, they're all red. I think the black ones are the cutest. Silly squirrels.
How did I ever miss this holiday?? I'm one of those lucky people who isn't bothered by squirrels--Sophie and the cat clan ensure that they stay in the distance. But my sympathies to all who have had their newly planted bulbs dug out by these ornery critters. Great photos, MMD--they're definitely cuter than possums:)
Arghh! The squirrels here have gone insane. After not showing themselves all winter and fall, I thought they had left the building, but no. They are now chasing all over the place, walnut in mouth, and digging like there is no tomorrow. Digging in every pot, in every bed, in newly mulched areas and the uncut areas. Not in the graveled knot garden, so far, which is usually riddled with holes, tulips with bites taken out left at the scene of the crime. Appreciation day? Phtewey! She spits.
Frances
Judging by the size and stature of your local squirrels, MMD, I'd say they DO appreciate you!
I hadn't heard of Squirrel Appreciation day, either. They are cute. Their antics are cute. But they need to remember that if they're going to chatter at me when I enter their territory, I'll be chattering at them when they enter mine! ha! :-)
Now I have to apologize to the squirrels. My daughter smashed some stale biscuits and set the crumbs out on a patio table for the birds. Since the dog now thinks she can get on the table, I sprinkled the dish with hot sauce as a determent. I would say punishment, but the dog is smart enough to smell hot sauce and stay away. Sorry squirrels, had I known it wayyour day, I would have laid off the determents for the day. Tomorrow is not your day!!!
and another thing
I like possums too
Better you appreciate them than me!
Our squirrels are the fattest and sassiest little scolds around. We managed to exclude them from the high feeders using a baffle, but that doesn't mean they go hungry. This morning they were tearing around the trees and across the fence in an excess of enjoyment of the cold winter sun. Your pictures capture their insouciance perfectly. I both appreciate them and don't at the same time. Part of the dual relationship we humans have with squirrels is that they are so darned smart! It is irking to be outsmarted by an animal smaller than the cat.
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