Squirrel Antics

I like my life right now.  Some would think it boring.  One good thing about getting older is that it takes less to “entertain” oneself.  Here’s an example:

Every day while eating lunch, my husband and I “look forward to” watching the squirrel antics that occur on one of our birdfeeders.  Of all the birdfeeders we have, this particular one, located under our cottonwood tree, is the most unstable.  But, probably because of the black sunflower seeds that I put there, the squirrels visit that feeder often. (And if I’m truly honest about it, I place the sunflower seeds in that feeder for that purpose!) The amusement is watching the contortions into which these squirrels will twist themselves,  while simultaneously maintaining their balance as the feeder swings wildly back and forth--just for a mouthful of seeds.  I guess that’s true greed—engaging in dangerous things just for “more!”

You can learn some fascinating things by watching animals.  During one of our lunchtimes, one of the three squirrels that frequent our yard--I’ll call him “Moe”--was “riding” the feeder while feeding his already very fat body.  Suddenly, quick as a dart, he flew across to the trunk of the cottonwood.  And in that split second, another squirrel, “Curly” had taken his place.  (Who knows where Larry was at the time!)  Anyway, Curly was sitting on the top of the feeder, seeming quite agitated.  His bushy tail was flicking in short “Morse code” fashion.  I wondered aloud to my husband about the possibility of the tail flicks being some kind of communication.  So with my curiosity piqued I had to get on-line.  Isn’t Google wonderful?  Instant answers at a few clicks of a keyboard!

Anyway, my hunch was confirmed. Scientists actually get paid to stare at animals (they call it research) and sure enough, there had been extensive studies done on the communication among squirrels with their tails.  What they found out was that the most prolific “tail-flicking” between squirrels took place at, where else? Birdfeeders!  Establishing territorial dominance, I imagine in order to feed their greed.  (That sounds much like lobbyists in Washington!)

So what’s the point of all of this? Nothing really, except that paying attention to even seemingly small things can be satisfying, entertaining and enlightening.  Here’s to the "ordinary"!