Squirrel update

As you may know, we have been waging a war trying to keep the squirrels off of our bird feeder. Here is a reminder and update of our trials.

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First, there was the "squirrel proof" bird feeder with its weight sensitive lever.

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Next, there were more squirrels using the bird feeder than there were actual birds as the squirrels figured out how to balance on the pole to eat and not trip the lever.

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Then there was the bowl that was supposed to stop the squirrels from reaching the feeder. It made a nice seat for them.

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After a few days, they just pushed it out of the way and it became an umbrella to protect them from the rain and sun.

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Next, there was the Slinky that was supposed to stop them from climbing the pole. They unlatched one end of it and used it as a dining chair after they climbed up the pole with no problem.

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Then there was the new metal baffle that actually baffled them. They fixed the problem of not being able to climb around it by chewing the cable tie that was holding the feeder pole and stabilizing pole together.

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This produced desired results. They didn't have to worry about climbing or going around the baffle at all.

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Presently, the pole has been fixed and the squirrel has not made it past the new baffle cone. However, it's just a matter of time, I'm afraid, until they figure this one out. That's what happens when you put brains, agility, and cravings into one animal.

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I'll never understand why they just can't be satisfied with the peanuts we put out?

Second Look--November 30, 2011

The ground is still wet from all of the rain we had last week, but that rain coupled with some warm weather has tricked a few things into thinking that it's Spring. Otherwise, the landscape is getting browner and grayer with weeds providing most of the color. Here is what I found on my Second Look around the yard this week.

The leaves are off of the sweet gum tree but the balls (seed pods) remain.

One lone bloom on the forsythia bush. These usually bloom in early spring.

A deer track that shows the deer skidded on the still wet ground from last week's rain.

Red berries on an unknown bush.

Even though they turn brown, oak leaves are often the last to fall. Some don't fall until the following spring when the new growth pushes them off.

Seed pods on Asiatic bittersweet vine

A daffodil bulb that somehow made it to the surface and sprouted during the warm weather.