Squirrel Love

For five months I have been shocked, stunned -- and delighted with an unwritten truce that emerged between me and the most wretched scirus carolinensis. I have been ever so slowly developing just a little trust that the tree rats will continue to stick to "their" feeder on the deck and leave all else alone. But love is in the air, and I face my greatest test since the deal was struck. Why?, for I see the alpha male chasing a female here and there and everywhere. This is a sight that strikes terror into the heart of every bird feeder. Because the inevitable results are ... more squirrels. Small, hungry, greedy squirrels. Lots and lots of squirrels. Squirrels swarming over feeders. I got through the late summer litter with little trouble, but my instincts tell me this one could be bad, especially because "Dad" has proven to be an especially bad-tempered alpha squirrel. We shall see what happens.