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It's late autumn and the critters help themselves to whatever's available

By JIM NIGRO

This gray squirrel found a weathered and wrinkly apple on the ground and decided on taking it back into the apple tree before gnawing away.

The red squirrel stuck with more traditional fare -- a black walnut.

A nuthatch is waiting to have a turn at the bird feeder.........it might take awhile.....

or until this gray squirrel is done gorging itself.....there has been a variety of birds coming to the feeders: cardinals, juncos, chickadees, blue jays, etc.....and quite often they all have to wait for the squirrel to finish.  

A "well-insulated" mourning dove.........

and a finch that seems to be contemplating whether or not to head South.

Elizabeth Downie

Hi Jim! I always LOVE your posts! Thank you so much for them! They are always so informative and you take the most beautiful wildlife photos!

I have a quick question for you... I always thought that what you call a "red squirrel" was called a "fox squirrel." Is there a difference between the two, or are they the same animal? We have a "red"/"fox" squirrel that frequents through our backyard and he is the most adorable thing. He has a damaged ear - maybe from an animal encounter or frostbite? - but the tips of his ears are white and he has a VERY red tail. He (or she, I should say) is just beautiful and it is always a treat to see him spend time in our backyard eating walnuts!

Thanks again for these posts, Jim!

Dec 5, 2014, 3:09pm Permalink
JIM NIGRO

Hi Elizabeth - thank you and you're welcome!! .....The fox squirrel is the largest of the native North American squirrels, twice the size of a red squirrel and a tad bigger than the gray. Check out my Batavian post from April 22, 2011. It's titled "Backyard Bushytails."

Thanks again!

Dec 5, 2014, 3:33pm Permalink
Mardell Lamb

Hi Jim!
How are you & Claudia? Hopefully well. Great post (as always.) I couldn't find the "Backyard Bushytails" post from 2011. Thought maybe it would answer a few of my questions:

My friend lives in Ft. Meade & she has spotted black squirrels. Are they a regional thing?

Also, quite a few years ago, my brother had a flying squirrel at his house in Pavilion. They LOVED watching him. Hmmm, so did their Maine coon cat. End of story. They were so bummed.

Have you ever come across these?

Have a GREAT weekend!!

Dec 5, 2014, 4:44pm Permalink
JIM NIGRO

Hi Mardell!
Claudia and I are both well, and as always she's a busy gal, especially with Christmas quickly approaching. Thanks for asking!
Yes, I've come across the flying squirrels and their big, round eyes cuz they're mostly nocturnal. While staying at some friend's cabin in the southern tier we would hear them scurrying across the tin roof at night. Have seen the black squirrels there also, and in southeastern Ontario in the town of Chaffee. Two years ago a friend photographed one right here in town of Batavia on the opposite side of the creek from us.
For the backyard bushy tails post, try googling "jim nigro/fox squirrels"...hope that works!

Dec 5, 2014, 5:25pm Permalink

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