I STEPPED OUTSIDE with my camera and sat down on a cooler in front of the door. Pumpkin, the red squirrel came for a visit a few times, scampered across my feet hoping for a hand out, but I kept my hand up high so he would climb the bench beside me. I wanted to see him up closer. It was not long before he was sitting beside me waiting patiently for a peanut. Gently as ever, he takes one from my finger tips and trots away. I watched as he burried each in the snow or places it in the crotch of a tree nearby, then scampered back for another. The last time, he sat and ate it not a foot from me at shoulder high, teeth gnawing away at the unsalted peanut shell, The second he chewed a hole large enough for his tongue, he dipped it inside and tasted the sweet, oily peanut inside. I was also visited by a red-breasted nuthatch, that took a seat next to Pumpkin ...neither seemed to be bothered by their close proximity to each other or me for that matter. Of course, while I was paying attention to my camera settings, and I was not ready, nor expecting a white breasted nuthatch to sneak up within three feet of my feet. That is the closest one has ever gotten to either Paul or myself. I think there is hope in hand feeding that new critter this winter, too! Patience and trust rewards us both. With camera in hand, I simply enjoyed the moments.
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 13:13:52 +0000
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