Squirrel Nutkin has his favorite chair, where birdseed falls on his head like manna, unasked for, from heaven.
It’s perfect place for pillow-hiding where no one can see him at all, if only it weren’t for his tell-tale-tail!
He can scale the walls like spiderman,
and perch on his chair like a king on his throne.
Baby-Bunting-Birdie is confused by all the action, but never hops by without leaving a gift, so thoughtful!
The Grosbeaks create the showers of seeds while stuffing their beaks past full.
The docile doves just watch the show.
Cheers to you from the setting sun and another critter-full Holler day~
(Thank you Ms. Potter for many happy childhood reads about Squirrel Nutkin and all his animal friends).
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These captures are amazing! love their cute little faces 🙂
These critters are so comical to watch!
They certainly have their moments 😀
And they kinda never stop which makes them with them a continual joy~
You have lots of furry and feathery friends in ‘The Holler.” And absolutely gorgeous sunsets. Very nice. Thanks for the visit.
I always enjoy visiting you Wally & cheers to you~
How do you get any work done? It must be tempting to watch your personal show all day, capped off with a rather wonderful sunset. I wish we had squirrels and chipmunks in Australia.
The squirrel and birds are about a foot away from my window by the computer. I read blogs and snap pics, ahhhh, life is good!
Home at last, and greeted by your neighbours. Thank you for your work overseas and its continuation at home.
Thank you more for stopping by and saying such delightful things!
Lovely little visitors all welcoming you home and looking for a treat!
Yes, it’s all we can do to keep them in seed and nectar!!! 😉
Friendly looking Squirrel Nutkin. Great set of photos
Handsome little devil isn’t it!
Love all of the pictures of these special birds and your words!!! Xx
Awww, I love blogging because of people like you!
Thanks dear me too xx
Hi Cindy, lovely photos. I put my first tapistry out today.
Leslie
OOOOh, thanks for telling me, heading over now to see!
It looks like you are welcome back home by these cute friends home.
Yep, the welcome committee complete with gifts!!! 😉
Great post Cindy hope the heat doesn’t get you down
It is so bad, and the drought is too. The risk from looney firebugs is very high. All the birds are panting and the watering stations get way too hot to handle in afternoon heat. They coyotes are massing at the pools at night.
Wow this earth as it used to be is long gone 🙁 Stay safe out there something has to change soon.
Thank you Eunice and God I hope so!
Gotta love those birdie gifts! 😜
You can’t watch birdies without the gifts!
wonderful children’s
nature story 🙂
Awwww, thanks!
Oh that pose in the top image Cindy! I can imagine sitting across from Squirrel Nutkin having a conversation with him! So adorable. And your photos of all the birdies never fail to awe me with the up-close detail. Beautiful, soothing sunset. Thanks for all these gorgeous images. 🙂
You know what Lynn, thank you so much more for being such a wonderful friend~ <3
Squirrel Nutkin’s ancestors tried to snatch our lunches right from under our noses years ago in a downtown Sacramento park. We had to defend their flank attacks with our elbows which we projected out onto the picnic tables like a barrier. This took some skill and experience because Nutkin’s ancestors were very fast and persistent. Our coworkers who paid them little attention, or who exhibited any sign of timidity, occasionally had an encounter of the squirrel kind. One actually jumped up on a lady’s back once! She looked so silly bending over trying to protect her food wearing a darting gray fur-ball like a stole!
I really enjoy squirrels. Great pictures!
tee he hee hee, they remind me a lot of cats in their behavior, so I can just imagine them pouncing on the timid ones and stealing their food. Naughty Nutkins. Seagulls do this too which never ceases to crack me up! Did I tell you about the vervet monkey in Africa who walked up to a picnic table, nipped a woman in a** (he didn’t break the skin, it just a nibbly-nip) and stole her sandwich. He was almost as bold as the baboon who chased me. Animals sometimes do bite back! Who can blame them considering what we do to them~
You haven’t told me that story before, but it sounds like many other monkey stories I’ve heard. I watched a documentary not too long ago about monkeys in SE Asia who steal sunglasses, jewelry, and other carriables from tourists and hold them for ransom. No kidding! The locals inform the victims that the monkeys will return their possessions if the tourists give them some food, and that’s exactly what happens. It’s extortion! The film showed several tourists gingerly offering the thieves a snack and the monkeys cautiously giving back the possessions. A simultaneous exchange was critical for a successful transaction. Very sly they were!
But be careful with the baboons, Cindy, they can be dangerous.
Love your photos, beautiful as always – esp. that cute fledgling and the fiery sunset!
These baby birds are so cute when them come out clueless from the nests. They are fat as can be, and stand in the seed bowls, fluffling their feathers and caging food from their parents. Kids!!!
🙂
Cindy, I was wondering if I might have permission to use the third and fourth photo (the squirrel perched on the chair, and the baby bird) for paintings? I don’t really know when, but they are great subjects. It is rare that I see photos with the clear details that are so helpful when painting, but it is up to you and I will stand by your decision.
Oh I would be so honored and I would love to see the finished pieces whenever they are done. Thank you for the courtesy of asking, but in the future feel free, anytime, serving as an inspiration for your art is an honor~
Thank you so much. I will make sure you see the finished art. As I said, I’m not sure when as I have a lot on my plate right now, but since seeing those photos, I feel inspired.
I sent you one of the finished paintings in a message on Facebook. Feel free to critique, or let me know if you see something that doesn’t look right. Again, thanks so much.
You are extraordinarily talented. Your artwork is amazingly good. I am honored to provide the tiniest bit of inspiration. Please use my photos anytime because it is for a wonderful cause, YOU, and your beautiful art! <3 <3 <3
The two doves watching, that’s my favorite today. Like they watch and think, “Nope we are not getting involved.” Great shots
Exactly! Saying, “Oh this is ridiculous, but quite mesmerizing to watch!”
such fun……….love the tail on the chair, I almost missed it 🙂
He clearly thought he was perfectly hidden! So funny…..
Ever wondered what it would be like if squirrels were as big as your first picture in real life, Cindy? ( I am reading your blog from 15 inch screen, by the way) It would be fun – just having a wild imagination here~
Yes, it would be super fair turn about wouldn’t it! If all the animals suddenly grew to gigantic proportions. I am loving the imagery. Of course, I probably would be more hesitant to go outside!!! 😉 😉
Baby-Bunting-Birdie’s gifts are big money in some places. LOL Great critter magic you have in the holler.
Cracking up, like where is bird s*** big-money? Tell me because I have cornered the market!
I can’t remember where. Galapagos maybe? I remember they scrape it up and ship it as fertilizer. Chicken s*** is supposedly the best fertilizer for tomatoes. The things I know. It defies reason. 😀
The way you write this sweet story of mischief and mayhem from the squirrel, baby birds and the more nature ones really amused me, Cindy! <3 Squirrel Nutkin has such a nice sheen on his coat, while the doves are such a lovely combination of pink, gray and tan. Hard to decide their coloring but such a cute couple! 😉
You are a delightful blogging friend Robin! Cheers to you and be well~ <3
I am always happy to see your photographs, Cindy. The film, “Miss Potter” is a sweet one telling her story, (they have Renee Zwelleger talking to animated illustrations) which informed me of her being quite a financially sound female author, love won and lost. Beatrix Potter left the trust of England, thousands of acres of land, as a preserve.
She was quite a gentle talent and did live in an imaginary world. Good for her. The real one isn’t always so great! Cheers & Happy 4th to you Robin~ <3
How wonderful! Each picture is adorable. So very, very sweet.
Awwww, like you! Thank you~ <3
Love your photos Cindy, have a nice day
Visa versa 2 U X 2!
Beautiful photos, Cindy. And that sunset is stunning.
These are lovely photographs, Cindy. 🙂
I am so pleased you enjoyed them Ranu & thank you my friend~
We have lovely red squirrels here in Dordogne.
I have seen them and they are beautiful!
That is such a cute squirrel and he looks quite settled in the chair, munching away! 😀 Great photographs and I love your wildlife. Great start to my day!
Your comment is a great start to mine! Merci beaucoup~
Adorable. I love squirrels. And that sunset is killer!!!
The Holler gets some of the most amazing sunsets, on that day, it was 105 degrees!
Wow!!! Aren’t you near the ocean?
We are inland, about an hours drive to the coast, in the middle of a nature preserve.
Got it. That’s pretty hot for this time of the year though. Yikes.
Yes, very unusual!
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Over recent weeks Cindy Knoke has shared amazing images from her trip to Spain but I must admit to having a soft spot for her fellow inhabitants in the Holler.. including this clown of a squirrel.. we should all be so lucky to have a backyard with such an abundance of wildlife.. I could sit and watch the birds all day.. Thanks Cindy.
Of course, I’m not just watching the birds, I’m reading and commenting on blogs, that’s multi-tasking. I could try and pretend it’s hard work, but everyone would know I’m lying. Blogging and birds! What could be better?
As you say Cindy, best of both worlds.. I am pleased with myself with my limited browsing at the moment until we are connected at our house, that I have not turned to chocolate full-time…xx
Smart and clever squirrel! I love his long tail! I didn’t know they could climb walls! What sharp little claws! I love the pics of him! Hugz Cindy! Lisa and Bear
He can climb up and down vertical walls and today he learned to leap from the wall onto the suspended bird seed dish. I am sure he just did this so I would do another post on him. Animals can be so vain! 😉
Wow that is way too funny
What a beautiful post, Cindy, as always.
Awww, what a lovely comment! Thank you Olga~
Oh my gosh, love these photo! From the very first one of the darling squirrel who captured my heart, to the birds. So sweet.
It takes sweet to see it, so thank you! <3
Loved all the pictures – you have an wonderful eye for these shots! Thank you for sharing them!
Thank you much more for appreciating the humble little critters!
Squirrel Nutkin?! Wasn’t he part of the Al Capone mob back in the 30s? He looks stuck-oed. Where do you come up with this stuff?!?! 🙂
Laughing. I fully believe you are absolutely correct and that Nutkin is a reincarnated member of the Capone mob. He is such a thief and does it in broad daylight, just like Capone! Now he can’t shoot people and has to run away from everything. Perfect karma for a reincarnated mafia member.
Actually Beatrice Potter came up with Nutkin’s name and I love her.
A new generation joins you in the holler. Great captures Cindy!
Yes, they are quite productive! 😉
Cheeky little squirrel. He looks young. We have a whole family that come at one time or another and I have to tell them apart by their tails. This year they are fat and sassy. In the winter, they gather under the feeder if they’re not trying to figure out a way to open it! Love the bird shots!
These photos were actually two squirrels, one fat, big and sleek, and the other smaller and younger and skinnier. You have good eyes probably due to watching your own squirrels~
Beautiful pictures! 🙂
Thank you & cheers too~
What a ham, isn’t he? So sure of himself, it seems.
Wonderful characterization, Cindy. As always, marvelous close-up photos. Thank you for sharing. <3 <3 <3
Cheeky little ham is exactly what he is! He learned today to leap from the wall into the hanging feeder. I swear he did this just so I would post more photos of him!
Once again – such beautiful photos of beautiful creatures. 😀
Awww, you are very kind Cate. Be well my friend~ <3
What GREAT pictures you’ve displayed here, Cindy — thank you for showing us life in the Holler! I’m particularly loving the doves…such a peaceful, gentle bird!
Yes and they mate for life. They are so mellow and sweet, with such delicate colors. Someone actually tried to go dove hunting on my property. Can you imagine shooting creatures like this for fun? It doesn’t even require one bit of skill.
We have squirrels in our maple trees in the backyard– and last Monday when it was 105 degrees, four of them were completely stretched out on the grass trying to keep cool! funny.
Oh I can just imagine that! The sunset shot here was taken on that 105 degree day. I know just how they felt!
It’s been crazy hot here for June– but cooling down for the 4th! Going to a small town 4th of July Parade in Ojai with the kids. Keep cool Cindy!!
I think our squirrels get more of our birdseed than the birds do. Kind of funny, seeing them dangle upside down on a seed feeder from their hind feet, then do “sit-ups” to get another bite.
They are hilarious. Maybe we should rename the feeders , squirrel feeders! 😉
Squirrels are funny things. They give my dog an evil eye because he loves acorns and hoovers them up faster than they can. 🙂
That’s hilarious. I have seen avocado eating dogs out here in the orchards, but I have never seen an acorn eating dog and we have lots of acorns. I would imagine the woodpeckers get quite annoyed at your dog too. I think you should definitely post photos of this. I was to see the acorn eating dog!
I will try but getting a pic when he’s on the move is quite the task! 😊
That little squirrel is so cute. You take the most fabulous photographs, Cindy.
Awww, your kindness is much appreciated! Thank you~ <3
Lovely photos, Cindy! Always enjoy your Holler stories. 💖😍😄
I always enjoy you Amy! Thank you and love those emoticons~
Lovely photos but one cannot escape the feeling (esp here in the UK where the grey squirrel has driven out the indigenous red squirrel (this feels like a metaphor for our referendum!)) that the squirrel is but a rat with good PR.
Well, a rodent is a rodent, and they all get unfairly bad reps, and I am as guilty of this as anyone. I remember my son yelling “There’s a rodent in the pool!” during a ladies aquacize class when he was little. All the ladies coming dashing out of the pool and saw the rodent was a rabbit.
They said, “Oh, that’s just a bunny!” and went right back in the water.
I was dumbfounded. A decomposing mammal in a pool is not cool even it is is a “cute” bunny.
Biologists are studying compassion in animals and found rats score extremely high as a species in compassionate behavior towards other rats. They will risk their own selves to save fellow rats. Of course, I once had rats in my attic and my compassion for them was non-existant! We are the weirdest creatures of them all! We pick and choose certain animals to love and others to despise. We do this with people too, sigh.
You can see why I like my Beatrice Potter world!
Yes I always understood rats were cleaner and better pets than hamsters and gerbils but they get a bad rap. Would love the video of the moment you son called rodent! That would have been worth the entrance money. Back in the 80s there was a picture in the papers of one of our London Lidos – big open air public pools – with lots of families in the background this rat was swimming happily across the water with the headline ‘all London residents finding a way to keep cool’!
Exquisite post! I just adore Squirrel Nutkin & all his Holler friends. Cindy, this is beyond cute. 🙂 :star:
Awww, so pleased you enjoyed Resa & cheers to you~
A celebration of a diverse community that embraces the joy of connection.
Humans could learn a lot from animal co-operation couldn’t they!
I agree wholeheartedly!!! Hugs coming your way…
Visa versa 2UX2! <3 <3
The nutkins at our house are great at cleaning up spilled food from the lawn underneath the bird feeder! Wonderful pictures of nature. 😄
And your kitty-kats must just LOVE them! 😉
This is why I like you so much – you take the time to enjoy the beauty and nature around you everyday and then share it with others!!! Have an awesome holiday my friend.
Happy Holidays my dear Antionette and thank you for such a lovely comment my friend~ <3