So Many Squirrels: Improv 1,989 (Hugh Tracey treble D kalimba)

[@TanzMitMir43]

I know little about squirrels but I do believe they are territorial so it ought to be very unusual to see that many in one place, unless people are feeding them there. I see in a recent article in the Smithsonian magazine, California ground squirrels are suddenly turning carnivorous so maybe you had a lucky escape.🙂 Seriously though, it's a bit scary when you realise the wildlife sees you as a meal. On farm work, I've woken up from a lunchtime snooze under a tree to be surrounded by 8 or so butcher birds waiting for their next meal - me😮

[@TheImprovyssey]

Squirrels are often seen together, especially tree squirrels, which are the kind most people mean when they use the word "squirrel." They aren't necessarily best buddies, but they can be in the same general area without trying to murder each other. You'll frequently see a bunch of them scurrying around the same patch of forest. A lot of herbivorous animals, including deer, do occasionally eat meat. Basically, if it's food, and other food is scarce, they'll go for it. California ground squirrels--which exist on the other side of the continent from me--have been observed eating voles. Poor voles; everything wants to eat them. The Butcherbirds did not want to eat you. Their name comes from their habit of impaling small prey and coming back for it later: basically, creating a butcher's "larder." Our own version of the Butcherbird (also colloquially called by this name) is the Northern Shrike. It is smaller and cuter than your Butcherbirds but also has the "larder" habit. The Butcherbirds were probably surrounding you because they wanted you to feed them (apparently, they are quite willing to take food from humans), not because they wanted to eat you. You were a little too big for them to kill and impale.

[@TanzMitMir43]

@@TheImprovysseyGood to know that killer squirrels aren't a thing. 🙂 As for the butcher birds, I wasn't worried they were going to kill me but I guess they may have thought I was already dead and were looking to pick up some snacks like eyes etc. They are cruel predators and quite intelligent having worked out how to eat the poisonous cane toads. In Australia, it's the drop bears and hoop snakes you have to be wary of. 🙂

[@nightheme365]

An ode to my favorite outdoor critters! I adore squirrels. I have pics of one hitching a ride on my little shopping cart.