Spring Squirrels and Wild Turkeys

A chipmunk filling the pouches on both sides of her face.

One of the many red squirrels.

Wild turkeys on the run when they hear sunflower seeds 

being thrown for them. They've got to be the most 

ungainly bird!

It is mating season and the gobblers put on a show for the hens. There are usually two males, closely related but one is older while the other, called a jake, he's similar to a male escort. It seems that the males are 

more impressed with themselves than the hens. 

The theory behind the team-courtship is that the less dominant male would have a greater chance of passing along shared genetic material than if it were courting alone.

A young female is 

called a jenny, like a donkey? can this be so? and baby wild turkeys are poults. 

Of Rodents and Winged Friends

Spring is hinting at returning and so are the famished rodents and scavenging birds.

The red squirrel was certainly chowing-down today and, unlike the chipmunks who also come for the sunflower seeds, this hungry beast does not stuff side pouches but instead, eats as much as he can at one sitting.

The wild turkeys share the red squirrels' love of sunflower seeds. Unsalted, please!

Taking a Sun Bath

Outside my window today, a honey bear squirrel, one with a tawny belly and a black exterior.

Since Baby Squirrel Oscar had these markings, I can only surmise that this might be a relative: same neighbourhood, same trees, same colouration.

Despite frigid temps, with the sun out, the squirrels also come out. They sit huddled in the crooks of branches with their tails arching over their bodies and they bask in the warming rays.

And here are some Dear Wild Turkeys!

Wild Turkeys! Pilgrims of the world, unite!

Merry Christmas!

Dear little squirrels!

A Few Shots of Happy Fall Sqirrels

 

For all you squirrel-lovers out there, interest has not flagged here. Oscar lives out of town but these handsome ones are no doubt some of his relatives. Cousins, I'd say.

They really are eating brownies. I found some stale ones and my crew have eaten chocolate croissant and granola and breakfast bars so brownies are not a stretch. Anything with chocolate is actually their favourite.

Blackie says that he's just as cute as those squirrels.

Almost Spring!

The squirrels were dashing about the back yard, happy in the warmth of our one-day Spring last week.

Since this last week of March 2012 started, however, we're back to winter. Water in puddles is frozen and our furry friends are huddled back in their nests waiting for the next blast of sun and warmth.

Hopefully,. they won't have to wait long.