Squirrel Awareness Tip #6

Plant a tree. Especially with Arbor Day around the corner, it would be a very good thing to do for our planet. No matter how long it takes for squirrels to begin using the tree you plant, it would be worth it. Trees favored by squirrels include, but are not limited to: Oak, Beech, Elm, Maple, Pecan, Spruce, and Pine.

Squirrel Awareness Tip #5

Take a hike! Just like what I did last Thursday. Watch squirrels wherever they can be found, and observe their behaviors. This activity is very relaxing, and is excellent for stress relief.

Squirrel Hiking on the Roy Orr Trail

Hiking boots? Check. Squirrel-themed scout shirt? Check. Binoculars? Check. Digital Camera? Check. Bug repellant? Check. Ball cap with squirrel embroidery patches? Check.

While I probably didn't need all that to watch squirrels, you get the picture. Earlier today, in the morning, I hiked on a trail called Roy Orr Trail in Desoto TX. I saw at least 8 squirrels.

I've observed many different behaviors, such as foraging in trees, foraging on the ground, resting, eating, persuing and being persued by other squirrels, etc. One buck seemed to be persuing a doe about twice his size. The last squirrel I saw was a doe who sat calmly on a tree branch next to a nest which looked too small to be a squirrel nest. She stayed still for some pictures. I used my binoculars as an extra zoom for the camera, though that did not result in perfect pictures.

Terminology

For now on, when talking about male and female squirrels, I will be calling them bucks and does respectively. Unless I am referring to an occasional deer or rabbit sighting, these terms will be used specifically for squirrels.

Earlier today, I saw a buck in my church's inner courtyard. He was eating grass, possibly to obtain nutrients he can't otherwise get from acorns.