Chipmunk Eating Sun Flower Seeds

The chipmunk makes a stealthy approach.

This is Rastus, the voracious chipmunk who lived beneath the wooden deck at my father's in Almonte, Ontario.

Recently, for good or not, we gave Rastus a small piece of chocolate. He was over-the-moon with delight. Their taste-buds must have a sweetness detector. And squirrels must, too, for when I put out some crumbs of stale brownies, my backyard dwelling rodents went wild.

Maybe these little beasts have more in common with us than what we like to think.

Here he is stuffing the pouches in the side of his mouth with seeds.