[Click for a larger view.]
We heard it before we saw it. And then we watched for several minutes. Elaine thinks that our quiet words of encouragement made a difference.
[If you’re stumped, keep looking. And then, if you’re still stumped, there’s an explanation in the comments.]
Monday, January 2, 2023
Look closely
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Look closely at the top third of the photograph and you’ll see the very edge of a squirrel. It’s mostly on the “back” of the pole, to the right, head facing down, just beneath the crossbars. It appeared to be very hesitant about the descent. C’mon, you can do it, we urged in gentle voices. It finally climbed down, very slowly, very carefully, and scampered off. Brave squirrel!
Do squirrels chirp and cheep when they’re in distress? This one was making a racket.
I was looking for a raptor caught in the lines.
Squirrels are adapted to climb down trees head first. "Tree squirrels have ankle joints that are adapted to be super flexible. When a squirrel wants to climb down it can rotate its feet 180 degrees, dig its claws into the trunk and hang from its back legs." A pole, however, doesn't have the same purchase as tree bark.
It would be nervous a pole, without tree branches to shield it somewhat from predatory bird eyes. I wonder if a terrestrial predator drove it up the pole.
There used to be feral cats in the neighborhood. I’m not sure about any other possible predators.
You and Elaine are squirrel whisperers!
I hope so. We both like squirrels and want to see them flourish.
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