Tuesday, January 19, 2016

How can you not. . . . . . . . .


LOVE them?


And, when you have a slew of nuts left from the holidays what do you do?  Despite two nutcrackers in the kitchen drawer I, like most people, find cracking iron-hard nuts a real pain/tough job, so what do you do but share with the Eastern Grey Squirrels - or whichever version you have in your area - who are eating your birdseed like there's no tomorrow! 

We watched from the kitchen windows, thinking that if a squirrel can gnaw through a hard hickory nut, as they do, it could manage an almond easily. I lined up four on the deck rail and before I was back in the house, this chubby, bushy tailed, sparkle in the eye guy showed up! Long story short, he/she picked up each one, tossed it around in it's little sharp claws, sniffed, licked, then jumped down and went and buried each one in the garden! It was quite funny to watch and at least I managed to get some photos through the window.


Of course once the nut burying was over, this cute rodent was back at the bird feeders. . . . . and, just like their busy acorn burying back in the Fall, it's said by people who know the ways of our wildlife friends, they never actually find them again, or dig them up and prepare them for a springtime luncheon or a summer night party!  


~~~ Almond trees do have lovely blossoms I believe ~~~



25 comments:

  1. Adorable! My parents had a huge almond tree as I was growing up and it was amazing when in bloom. Both the flowers and the scent.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. I'd love to have one of those - the fragrance alone would be fabulous!
      Happy New Year Amalia - thanks for stopping by.
      Mary -

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  2. I actually do love them Mary ...... I think it's because we only get one or two in the garden ..... I get really excited when they visit us !!! XXXX

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  3. What wonderful pictures of the squirrel. You either have an excellent camera or you talked that squirrel into sitting very still for you!!

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  4. Dear Mary, These are the most charming pictures of your happy squirrel.... and your windows are so CLEAN.

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    1. Haha! It must be an optical illusion Gina - haven't cleaned them since before Christmas. I just pulled the blind up carefully and used my old point and shoot Olympus (love that one) and, unbelievably that little guy stood still for many minutes as if posing for me! Cutest little devils though aren't they!
      12F here this morning and getting colder by the day - lovely sunshine though.
      Mary -

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  5. I had finally time to catch up with your blog...a real pleasure as always...

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    1. Thanks so much Gracie - hope Milan is warmer than here!
      Mary -

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  6. Great photos, Mary. Squirrels are fun to watch, especially when there are two chasing each other up and down trees and all around. I don't see many here. Way too many deer, though, who love to chomp on everything in my garden. I think we'll have to build a fence this spring. Hugs, Nancy

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  7. Oh he is a cutie! I was thinking and smiling about having almond trees in your yard. Silly old squirrels! I have often wondered if they return and dig up the nuts. We have walnuts buried all over our yard, but later find someone has dug it up and there is a hole sitting there. Enjoy your little furry friends. We use to try to shoo them away, but now just enjoy, as I think you do too. Hugs to you!

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    1. You're so right Marilyn - it's definitely a love/hate relationship, but we'd never harm them. Can understand how hungry they get with all the gymnastics they perform in the trees and on the feeders, LOL!
      Mary -

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  8. Oh that is cute and funny, Mary. Maybe you will have some lovely almond trees sprouting in your garden.

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    1. That would be a plus - I hear they're beautiful in bloom, will just need to live a long time to harvest almonds Pamela!
      Mary -

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  9. Dear Mary...

    I enjoy your photos and posts very much! Your squirrel photos are enchanting...love them!

    Thank you for sharing your delightful happenings.


    Barbie

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  10. Now why would they hide the nuts instead of eating them?

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  11. Smiling at this post, Mary. Boy can I ever relate to this love/hate relationship. I think, in the end, they are rather lovable and also make good blog fodder. So funny about the almonds being buried instead of eaten. Your photos are magnificent!!

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  12. I agree that squirrels are cute...but I hate when they try to get into my bird feeder! :-)

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  13. I like our squirrels only marginally. They tend to want to chew their way under our eves to give birth, and they scold us non-stop in summer when we sit on our deck (which they feel is part of their territory). However, I DO like your cute photo and the story behind it.

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  14. What absolutely delightful photos and a fun, fun tale. I would love to be there watching them! Such fun.
    Farm Gal in VA

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  15. Oh, it's easy for me not to love them, Mary. They have destroyed our outdoor cushions twice! Even eating through the protective covers. Ha! I fuss at them all the time as they dig up my freshly potted annuals. Nope, just can't love these rodents! '-)

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  16. Well, Mary, here's hoping for an Almond Tree!!

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  17. Such a cute squirrel. Wouldn't an almond tree be a lovely thing?

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  18. It's hard for me not to love them as little Brendel Joseph gets a huge kick out of watching them through our big glass window off the back of our sofa. Or, sometimes we'll be on a walk and one will scuffle by and up the tree and then off goes Brendel, thinking he can climb the tree and join them. hahaha.

    Your photos are absolutely fantastic, by the way. You have a great eye for capturing life around you.

    Sending love from here to there...
    xx

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  19. Oh, that is really funny. Great ending. They'd never find their digs? Well i suppose they stumble on each others then! So, do you think if the almonds are left buried for so long that they eventually soften? I wonder!

    more great photos from you. Love your writing.

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