THE MAGICIANS OF OUR FOREST

I don’t know about you but squirrels are definitely one of my favorite animals from local wildlife. Whenever I see them, they are radiating some innocent joy and positive vibes, even if they are stressed to be safe from predators.

Living not far away from woods, enable me to see real pulse of wild nature and its inhabitants. Some of them are shy, some of them are reckless and bold but all of them are adorable, in its unique way. The squirrels are leading the attention and they always manage to take over the show. The food station is not only the meeting point of all of them, including birds, but also the central place where animals eat and drink in harmony. I placed enough feeders for all species but somehow they love to interfere with each others and to do food sharing. I know I shouldn’t support it due to the possibility of virus outbreaks in the period of higher risk, but I decided to keep it clean, hoping that nature has its own logic and epidemics prevention. So, yes, you can see them eat together , head by head, birds and squirrels , pretending they are the same so the Homo sapiens is not confused.

Yesterday, I could have almost touched the squirrel lady. She was simply there . I gave her name Linda and hoped she would come when I call. She didn’t come when I call her name but she was there 5 minutes later, choosing between walnuts and hazelnuts, playing a bit crazy. It was a pleasure seeing how careful Linda is , in spite of fact that I am not far away from her and that no dog or cat are able to hurt her. She was trying to focus on her meal but her eyes have checked the surrounding and confirming that is safe for next few minutes. That brings me to the point that this sweet rodent is a skilled acrobat that is conquering the high trees and jump from one to another, searching for delicious nuts, seeds or fruits. Don’t forget that these animals are omnivores so they can eat the bunch of things but usually prefer nuts and fruits. So, if you have walnut or hazelnut tree in your garden, your garden will be the magnet for squirrel colony. Then, if it happens that you have apple or pear trees and some conifers , you can’t get rid of them and their funny performance.

They are always searching for good nutritionist for the hard months and sometimes is not easy for them to collect enough in the food race that is happening out there . So, if you help them manage it through the challenging months, you will see their bushy tails and reddish coat often around your home.

Make sure you put the possibility for them to have house on your tree. It shall be high and protected from local predators, birds of prey or domestic cats / dogs . The squirrels love to live sheltered and invisible for enemies and you can give the support by putting all possible danger outside their zone.

Even if they have somewhere house , doesn’t mean they won’t live in your garden, if the new place is safer and with lots of menu.

The most amazing thing about them is the fact that they can find their food buried under snow. That’s the great feeling and sensor. Beside it, when they are under danger, they can run zigzag to avoid enemy and they also can use deceptive catching, pretending they dig the hole and let the nuts inside but only keeping thieves confused. They love to eat, usually forget their nuts somewhere so we get new and powerful woods there where we don’t expect at all. When some squirrel baby is an orphan, whoever find it, taking care of it like about own baby. Isn’t that the proof of selfishness and true love for own species ?

You have many options to support your local wildlife and to help the animals go smooth through the harsh winter months. Try to provide clean water and good food that will bring them always back to you and convince them that there is a hope for human race .

My Linda is there, greeting the tree, celebrating our friendship and showing me what a great vibe is to be in balance with everything what lives and breathes.