squirrels

Safe and Soggy

| Flower Roberts

Florence has left us.

I feel such gratefulness that we ourselves were spared

the devastation experienced by so many others.

The sunshine is a welcome sight after days of darkness.

I must admit, I did not stay inside during the deluge.

This should not come as a surprise to my readers.

Over and over again I strode into the storm to check plants and ditches,

necessary for my sanity if for no other reason.

I am happy to report

the banana forest is still upright

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the vines are still clinging

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and way up in a tree

a certain nest is still intact.

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Way to go Mama Squirrel!

FLOWER

Mama Squirrel moves Babies before Florence Hits

| Flower Roberts

I have been watching in amazement this morning as

a mama squirrel has been relocating her babies to a different tree

BEFORE the storm hits.

Mama on second branch to the left of the trunk.

How does she know?

I have watched her carry three little ones high up into a new tree.

She has taken the same route each time, across the gravel, down the steps,

through the fern garden, across the lawn and up to the top of the tree.

Mama headed up the trunk at height of orange bird house.

What has told her that her home was not safe?

Was it a crick-cracking sound during the wind gusts?

Why this morning? Not much is going on here.

What does she know that I do not?

We shall see.  If a tree falls during the storm,

I bet it will have an empty squirrel’s nest among its branches.

Nature knows.

FLO

 

Squirrel Snack Bar

| Flower Roberts

My maple tree is now a popular hangout for my little furry friends.

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They are eating the samara fruits off the tree.  These are also called whirlbirds or helicopters due to how they fly in the wind

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I love watching their little paws picking the nutlet bundles.

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Sometimes they even hang upside down to pick them and perch on tiny twigs to eat.

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I wish I could climb up there with them.

FLOWER