Goofy Squirrels!
There comes a time when a writer has beaten a story to a pulp. Probably, my coverage of the NovaBird camera has reached that point. Let's just say that from now on (or until further notice), the pictures posted on this blog were either taken with the NovaBird or the Olympus 2100. If you'd like to know the camera used for a particular
photo, please contact us via the "comment" button below, or email me directly at: capecodalan@ebirdseed.com.
There... That being said and done, let's talk about the squirrels. Years ago, Mrs. CapeCodAlan and I set up a separate feeder for the squirrels. That worked like a dream; the squirrels left the birds alone, and everyone was happy. But what we didn't expect was the fun that squirrels would bring into the back yard. (Watch for an upcoming post depicting the all-out madness of a bungee-cord rig we'll use to dangle ears of corn off a shepherd's crook... And while the subject has come up... For heaven's sake, never buy or use a two-part shepherd's crook. Both birds and squirrels can and do get caught in the "V"-shaped joint where the crook meets the main shaft of the post. Always use a single-piece shepherd's crook that has simply been bent into shape as in the photo below.)
Anyway, squirrels can be a blast... The following photo shows a squirrel doing what the wife and I call "putting on the seat belt". That is to say that he has wedged himself between the feeder and the bungee cord that keeps the top on the feeder. Once safe in the "seat belt" squirrels will typically lie down and enjoy an "all-you-can-eat" buffet.
Now here's an inquisitive little fellow... Note the ear.
In any event, squirrels can be a boatload of fun when kept at bay. (See Keeping Out the Squirrel Menace for help with that issue...)
See you by the feeders,
CapeCodAlan
There... That being said and done, let's talk about the squirrels. Years ago, Mrs. CapeCodAlan and I set up a separate feeder for the squirrels. That worked like a dream; the squirrels left the birds alone, and everyone was happy. But what we didn't expect was the fun that squirrels would bring into the back yard. (Watch for an upcoming post depicting the all-out madness of a bungee-cord rig we'll use to dangle ears of corn off a shepherd's crook... And while the subject has come up... For heaven's sake, never buy or use a two-part shepherd's crook. Both birds and squirrels can and do get caught in the "V"-shaped joint where the crook meets the main shaft of the post. Always use a single-piece shepherd's crook that has simply been bent into shape as in the photo below.)
Anyway, squirrels can be a blast... The following photo shows a squirrel doing what the wife and I call "putting on the seat belt". That is to say that he has wedged himself between the feeder and the bungee cord that keeps the top on the feeder. Once safe in the "seat belt" squirrels will typically lie down and enjoy an "all-you-can-eat" buffet.
Now here's an inquisitive little fellow... Note the ear.
In any event, squirrels can be a boatload of fun when kept at bay. (See Keeping Out the Squirrel Menace for help with that issue...)
See you by the feeders,
CapeCodAlan