If you wish, listen to the music
as you scroll through this post:
♪♫♩♫
Have you ever seen a squirrel eat a popsicle? I did the other day. This little guy picked up a large chunk of snow/ice and proceeded to enjoy a little refreshment.
Squirrels are always entertaining, but this particular chunk was about as long as the squirrel's tail.
I wasn't speedy enough to capture the first few moments, but I did manage to snap a series of photos that produced a cute little "auto awesome" Google video. As I was watching it, the Vince Guaraldi song "Linus and Lucy" was playing on the radio, which is why I suggested it at the top of this post. Enjoy!
I'm linking this post to Donna's Seasonal Celebrations at Gardens Eye View and Michelle's Nature Notes at Rambling Woods. Hope you're all having a safe and enjoyable holiday season so far!
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(Thanks to those who've participated in and commented on PlantPosting's "Lessons Learned" meme. The meme remains open indefinitely, and we'd love to learn from your experiences. Click here or on the "Lessons Learned" tab to participate.)
You have a beautiful dancing squirrel. Regards.
ReplyDeleteFunny little guy, isn't it? (Or it might be a momma--not sure.) They are so fun to watch.
DeleteOh this is perfect Beth especially with the music in the background. A perfect way to celebrate the seasons....my squirrels probably eat the snow, but I have never seen them eat ice.
ReplyDeleteI wish I would have captured him with the huge ice chunk. He was such a cute little model--staying in the same spot to chomp down that great bit of ice for his freezy treat. Occasionally they do silly things like this. Next time I'll have to try to videotape it.
DeleteThat is one chubby squirrel! Very cute! Perfect music. :o)
ReplyDeleteYes, a very healthy buddy. Ours do tend to bulk up on all the acorns and hickory nuts around here. They do seem quite content. ;-)
DeleteHe's a chunky monkey! Our acorns are small down here so the squirrels are pretty trim :)
ReplyDeleteYes, he is indeed a chunky guy. ;-) I think our squirrels here in the north have to bulk up to make it through the cold winter. Although you'd never know it was a cold climate from the past few days. Winter, unfortunately, will return ... and this guy will be prepared.
DeleteHe's enjoyed a pecan or acorn or two in his day, hasn't he? Great post--love the dancing squirrel!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, that is the truth! And he was kind enough to stay put while he munched away, which made this post possible. :)
DeleteOh how adorable and the music is perfect. I so enjoy watching the squirrels here. They are very comical..... Michelle
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michelle. I know squirrels can cause garden damage, but really they are much less damaging than the rabbits. Plus, they clean up all the nuts and they're so fun to watch--all winter long!
DeleteLovely, how clever of you to capture the moment for us all to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteHave a very happy Christmas Beth.
Happy Christmas to you, too, Chloris! The squirrel gave us the show, so he gets the thanks. ;-)
DeleteI've never seen a squirrel eat ice before. Very cool captures!
ReplyDeleteI don't remember seeing one do this before either. They do some silly/crazy things on that picnic table--I just need to be ready more often to capture their antics. Such fun little (big?) creatures!
DeleteThis is so fantastic, I love it! LikeKarin, I've never seen a squirrel enjoying ice before.
ReplyDeleteYes, I was surprised, as well. He seemed very satisfied with his little treat. He had it munched down within a few minutes, so it must have been just the refreshment he needed at the moment. :)
Deleteabsolutely adorable!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed it. I enjoyed watching it as it happened. ;-)
DeleteAdorable! Your squirrels are like mine--they need to quit eating so much bird seed and forage for themselves. Mine are so chubby, they can hardly move-:)) I think I've become an enabler. (smile)
ReplyDeleteTee hee. I must say, I think our squirrels here need to be a little fat to survive the winter. This guy (gal?) should have plenty of bulk to make it through. Our squirrels can't get to our bird feeders because we have a very effective baffle. I've seen them try, but the baffle works! They do eat the seed remnants off the ground, though. And they have plenty of acorns and Hickory nuts here! :)
DeleteOh, he/she is cute…but I do know what kind of damage they do so I have kind of mixed feelings for the squirrels – but it’s hard not to get taken in when they look as cute as this one :-) I have never seen them eat ice or snow either, but I don’t have either very often so that might be the reason. The squirrels in my garden seem to eat just about anything else and they are just as fat right now!
ReplyDeleteYes, they do cause some damage. I remember your video with the squirrel in the window box. Tee hee. We have plenty of snow and ice, as you know, but I'd never seen one pause and eat it like this before. It was entertaining. :)
DeleteSo adorable that squirrel, we don't have squirrels in our surroundings. He needed obviously a refreshment, or he was just thirsty .
ReplyDeleteYes, obviously that chunk of frozen water was just what he wanted/needed at that moment. Ha!
DeleteCute squirrel and I love the animated photo. Have a happy week!
ReplyDeleteSquirrels are fun to watch, that's for sure. I enjoy the chipmunks, too, but they seem to cause a little more damage. Enjoy your week, too!
DeleteVery cute Beth. I have seen them do this often when water is frozen like it is here most of winter. Did you know they eat egg shells and need the calcium too? Nothing is too hard for them or at least they try. So many times I have watched them chew the metal chains holding the suet and bird feeders.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Donna. No, I didn't realize they would eat egg shells! I've seen them gnawing on corn cobs. We have cobs all over the yard. ;-) I don't know if they grab them from local farms or if someone here in the suburbs is supplying the cobs. Funny little guys.
DeleteCute video, Beth, and the Linus/Lucy theme certainly fits. I've noticed the squirrels are getting braver and spending time in the trees closer to the house, which they do every winter. I'm not sure why--the big, bad dogs are still here and go crazy when they see them through the window:) Maybe they finally gathered all the acorns from the big oak tree further down the yard.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rose. :) We have squirrels doing crazy things here nonstop, year-round, every day. I guess I made my peace with them long ago. When you live on the edge of an Oak forest, you have no choice. The neighbors' dogs occasionally chase them, but for the most part the squirrels have the run of the backyard. My cats watch them from inside the house--their reactions are fun to watch, too.
DeleteI guess that is the only way they can get water in winter. Chubby squirrel, he'll probably be slimmed down by March.
ReplyDeleteYes, I imagine the squirrels will be a little skinnier come springtime--although they have nuts hidden all over the place. Even when we get heavy snowfalls, I'm amazed where I find acorns hiding here and there. ;-)
DeleteYour little squirrel is quite entertaining. I am impressed that you were able to capture him. The little Douglas squirrels we're seeing are a real challenge to photograph.
ReplyDeleteThe gray squirrels can be quite speedy, too, but sometimes when I'm lucky they remain in the same spot and seem to pose for a few minutes. :)
DeleteFun! Squirrels are really amusing unless they are in the bird feeders knocking the food every which way. I had one that barked at me in the garden for an entire summer. She did about drive me nuts, no pun intended. I love your photo of your squirrel eating the ice chunk. Who knew?
ReplyDeleteTee hee. I'm imagining the squirrel barking at you--because it happens here all the time, too. They're particularly loud and raucous in late spring when the juveniles are running all over the place! They don't get into the bird feeders, though--the baffle seems to work. We had to try a couple of different models until we found this one--a big dome-shaped one. I love to watch them try to get past it! Thanks, Dee.
DeleteHe is a cute little bugger! ☺
ReplyDeleteYes, I thought so, too. They entertain me. I really don't mind the squirrels. They do dig, but at least they don't eat my plants like the rabbits do.
Deletehow cute, squirrels are always so entertaining
ReplyDeleteSo cute. Love their little hands.
ReplyDelete