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Backyard Bushy Tails

By JIM NIGRO

While there has always been a good number of gray squirrels nearby, this is one of the few fox squirrels I recall seeing near our home. That bushy tail may be one of the reasons behind their name.

About one and a half times the size of a gray, the fox squirrel is North America's largest. Here it's feasting on last year's box elder seeds.

Like the gray and red squirrel, the fox squirrel's color phase may vary from region to region.

Adding to its ample girth.

Smaller than both the fox and gray, the red squirrel, above, seems to be the feistiest of the three, particulary when defending its territory.

Here it's easy to see where the red got its name.   

The entire time I watched, this red seemed preoccupied in one of walnut trees growing along the north border of our property.

Here again, the red tends to a walnut tree. It seemed to concentrate on forks in the tree, perhaps enhancing future buds. Whatever, the red squirrels have established themselves in the area around the six walnut trees that are clustered into a small area. The gray squirrels, meanwhile, have been relegated to the hickory and oak trees back near the creek.

Lorie Longhany

I did a double take and grabbed the camera. He came a calling at least a half dozen times. Since the black bear has been back in our yard again this spring we are no longer feeding the birds, which makes me sad because we enjoy the early spring visitor's -- Grosbeaks and Indigo Buntings.

Apr 23, 2011, 12:05am Permalink
JIM NIGRO

We've tried to make our feeders squirrel proof, but its always comical watching squirrels attempt to get into them.

While the bird feeder draws the usual suspects - chicadees, juncos, nuthatch, blue jay and what have you, when the apple tree blossoms the species are more diverse and colorful.

Apr 23, 2011, 7:58am Permalink
Tim Howe

Lorie....You dont live in Batavia do you? If you dont mind me asking, where do you live that you are getting bears in your yard?

P.S. Stop leaving Pic-a-nic baskets laying around :)

Apr 23, 2011, 10:11am Permalink
Lorie Longhany

Tim, I live in Lime Rock. I believe that the bear's territory is the north woods area between LeRoy and Caledonia. However, my uncle, who is an avid hunter and outdoorsman has measured different tracks that seem to indicate more than one. Maybe a family?

We watched him/her in our backyard last spring and just two short weeks ago discovered that he/she was rummaging around on our deck and patio. My husband inadvertently left a couple of packages of suet in a pigeon hole cupboard on our deck. You can bet that we have cleared out the bird feeding supplies.

Apr 23, 2011, 10:19am Permalink
Bea McManis

Last spring when Lori's company arrived in her back yard, she happened to be online.
Her description of her dogs' reaction; the bear sitting in the middle of their yard; and his foray into the birdseed left us all laughing.
It was an interesting night.

Apr 23, 2011, 10:29am Permalink
Lorie Longhany

We have a wonderful array of wildlife in my backyard. One time late this winter, we had the white squirrel, a gray squirrel and a little red squirrel feasting all at the same time. I actually have pictures of the white and gray together. Was wondering if this means there will be little hybrids running around shortly.

We have also had flying squirrel sitings. My next door neighbor's cat brought one of them home.

Apr 23, 2011, 10:44am Permalink
Tim Howe

Wow Lorie, Squirrel's are one thing, but if i had a country bear jamboree in my backyard, I would find a new backyard....and frontyard....and sideyard....and zip code...ect ect :)

Apr 24, 2011, 9:10pm Permalink

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