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* the "kittens" * |
The birds and squirrels are stuffing their little faces at the feeder. I was lucky to get these 2 particular squirrels chowing down on the cracked corn in the birdseed.
I call this pair "the kittens". In Spring there was a bumper crop of baby squirrels to all 3 types: the fox, grey and black squirrels. Sure made for fun watching! Early on I noticed that a black mother was always followed by both a black and a grey. She tolerated both of their antics, allowing them to tease and chase her and scolded both when they overstepped.
After a couple of months they were on their own, but not alone. One was never seen without the other. They've played, chased, tumbled and fed together ever since. Of all the other squirrels born this year, I've not seen even 'real' litter mates hang out with each other. But these 2 are inseparable, have a real bond.
There's not a day goes by that they don't do something that makes me chuckle, whether it's hide-n-seek around a tree trunk, rolling around in a pile of mulch (taking turns while the other watches), trying to see who can jump the highest from a standstill and other squirrel-ly antics. They even nap together.

I wonder how these 2 will fare through the coming winter. I have no idea of their respective sexes or if they will build a good winter shelter nest and share it. They are such a joy to have in the gardens and I would really miss them if they didn't live a long and happy life.
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P.S. Hello visitor from Scotland! :-D