Who Needs Nuts When You Can Eat Mushrooms?
As I was fetching more wood from our wood pile I came across several rather large stashes of dried mushrooms, carefully gathered from the forest and hidden there by one of our resident squirrels. I hated to disturb his winter food stores so I tried to carefully put them back where I found them, all the while being loudly scolded by said squirrel as he watched me from a nearby tree. I know we will continue to disturb his precious mushrooms as we deplete the wood pile over the winter but I hope he will be able to find them again when the snow gets deep and food is scarce.
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I told this story a couple of weeks ago on "Do You See What I See," my friend Dianne's photo blog, when she posted this photo. Her photo reminded me of the above photo I took several years ago in a Denver park.
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8 comments:
Mushrooms are something that I never associated with squirrels. I think that's pretty neat. Love the photo too. The other day saw one of the squirrels here collecting leaves for a winter nest. This one was a real hoarder. lol I want to get some shots of the black squirrels we have around here, but they won't stay still long enough to get a clear picture. :)
Aw nuts - no nuts?? I really hadn't thought about squirrels eating mushrooms either but I guess that squirrels can't live on nuts alone, can they?
I came home from work today to find a squirrel congregation hanging out in the backyard gathering Lord only knows what and they sure weren't happy when I pulled in and spoiled their party!
Needless to say I got no pictures so I'll just have to really like this one! Which I do!
I had no idea these guys enjoyed mushrooms! What a fabulous capture..hope you enjoy your weekend-:)
Really? You must have a grommet squirrel! I saw many in the Botanic Garden burying what I assumed to be nuts or berries...maybe not!
we talked about this once before - I find their busy work to be comical and poignant at the same time
they work so hard to prepare
I've been leaving lots of extras out for my guys so they can have a good stash for the winter
thanks for mentioning me :)
Cherie: I know! I was really surprised to see the piles of mushrooms myself. I'm assuming they know the difference between the edible variety and the poisonous type, else we'll have a lot fewer squirrels this winter. I know what you mean about getting a clear picture. Wildlife is tough to shoot! Trees are much easier. :)
Linda: They're really loud when they're angry, aren't they? And they aren't very tolerant of intrusions into their territory. You should hear them when the foxes come around.
Regina: Thanks! I didn't either! Hope you had a good weekend. Mine was insanely busy. . .
Barb: Hmmmm, I don't know what they'd be burying in the Botanic Gardens. Could be almost anything!
Dianne: You're welcome! They do work hard to prepare--and they do look comical doing it. I have some video of a squirrel throwing down pine cones like there was no tomorrow. I'll have to see if I can find that clip and post it. I'm sure your squirrels appreciate all you do for them. Ours get lots of bird seed. :)
Laughing my buns off at this photo. He looks like he might be made of silly putty, he is sooooooooooooo long and stretchy! :o)
I am touched by your care at trying to maintain his stash for him. No wonder I like you so much!
Hi Krista! I thought it was funny the way he just hung from his back claws like that. Such a position could not have been comfortable! And yes, I do try to take care of the critters around the house. Most of them feel like friends. :)
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