My squirrels at work haven’t quite reached the point where they will accept a nut from my hand yet. They do stay put on the wall and wait for me feed them so I can get within a few feet.
Now that it’s getting cooler they’re coats are really thick looking and very pretty. I guess they’re filling in for winter. You should see them pose while they’re waiting for me to come feed them. So cute!
I know the general perception of squirrels is that they are dumb critters and yes, sometimes they do seem to be but I have to tell you that mine have learned a few things this summer.
First, they know I am specifically the person who provides them with all the yummy nuts. How am I so sure of this? The facility where I work has several separate buildings. I feed the squirrels in the closed in garden outside my window in the main office. One day I was leaving a different building and one of my squirrels was lounging on the fire escape. I asked her what she was doing there, away from her yard and told her that she was going to miss lunch if she didn’t get back where she belonged. Yes, you guessed it. I had a squirrel escort back to the office. I assume she recognized my voice since I speak with them all the time.
Second, they know which door I come out of when I feed them. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve glanced out the window to see one of my buddies standing up, looking in the back door, waiting for me to appear.
But yesterday tops everything. I was sitting at my desk, working away and hadn’t realized how late it was. It was a nice day and the window was open. I kept hearing this odd noise, not really tapping but not scratching either. Eventually I looked. My squirrel friend was on the windowsill plucking at the screen to let me know I was overdue with her snack. Thank goodness that’s all she did. If she’d screamed or chattered as they sometimes do when they’re chasing each other around the yard I probably would have jumped out of my skin! I suspect she knew that which is why she went about quietly getting my attention. Otherwise, she would have missed out on her afternoon treat altogether. See? Not so dumb, is she?
Now that it’s getting cooler they’re coats are really thick looking and very pretty. I guess they’re filling in for winter. You should see them pose while they’re waiting for me to come feed them. So cute!
I know the general perception of squirrels is that they are dumb critters and yes, sometimes they do seem to be but I have to tell you that mine have learned a few things this summer.
First, they know I am specifically the person who provides them with all the yummy nuts. How am I so sure of this? The facility where I work has several separate buildings. I feed the squirrels in the closed in garden outside my window in the main office. One day I was leaving a different building and one of my squirrels was lounging on the fire escape. I asked her what she was doing there, away from her yard and told her that she was going to miss lunch if she didn’t get back where she belonged. Yes, you guessed it. I had a squirrel escort back to the office. I assume she recognized my voice since I speak with them all the time.
Second, they know which door I come out of when I feed them. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve glanced out the window to see one of my buddies standing up, looking in the back door, waiting for me to appear.
But yesterday tops everything. I was sitting at my desk, working away and hadn’t realized how late it was. It was a nice day and the window was open. I kept hearing this odd noise, not really tapping but not scratching either. Eventually I looked. My squirrel friend was on the windowsill plucking at the screen to let me know I was overdue with her snack. Thank goodness that’s all she did. If she’d screamed or chattered as they sometimes do when they’re chasing each other around the yard I probably would have jumped out of my skin! I suspect she knew that which is why she went about quietly getting my attention. Otherwise, she would have missed out on her afternoon treat altogether. See? Not so dumb, is she?
2 comments:
Why do you want to feed squirrels? Do I try and feed possums? Who are you? Barbara - wilderness woman or something?
We have squirrels in back, too. And yes, they know exactly who feeds them--my neighbor, actually.
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