Ash Thoreau

Today brought plenty of excitement at the feeders!

I hadn’t seen Scout in a few days, and as much as I try not to worry when that happens, it’s hard not to let my imagination run wild. I suspect she lives the furthest away, judging by the direction she bolts when one of the boys chases her off. It’s easy to conjure up all sorts of worst-case scenarios when she’s gone for too long.

But today, Scout made her grand return! For most of the day, it was just Boss and the newer male squirrel with the severed tail hanging around. I’d been snapping close-ups of them, figuring it was going to be a quiet day. Then things got interesting.

The male with the severed tail suddenly took off, chasing another squirrel up the backyard fence. While I was focused on their antics, Scout seized the opportunity. She dashed onto the railing, grabbed some food, and made herself at home. I couldn’t help but smile—seeing her was such a relief!

As I recorded a close-up of Scout, the chaos continued in the background. The severed-tail male had escalated things, herding three other squirrels across the neighbor’s roof. Unfortunately, I didn’t capture that moment on video, but watching it unfold was wonderful!

I’m so glad I decided to add a second feeder. Now I just need to figure out the perfect spot to mount it—hopefully, it’ll make it easier for everyone to grab a snack. Someday, I’d love to invest in some nesting boxes too. But for now, that’s a dream for another day (and a bigger budget).

With six days off, starting tomorrow, I’m looking forward to spending more time watching their antics. Who knows what kind of squirrel drama is in store?