Squirrel Patrol

 

The day was sunny with a nice autumn feel to it. Great day to sit on the deck and relax. But as my husband and I settled in our comfortable deck chairs, the local critters decided to join us.

It’s not our charming company that attracted them, but the peanuts Dick carried in a small bag, A small flock of chickadees was the first to arrive. The brazen little birds immediately helped themselves to the peanuts he’d placed on the railing.

Soon, several blue jays spotted the goodies, swooped down and harassed the smaller birds. This prompted my husband to jump up, wave his arms and scare off the blue jays. They were leery but not frightened enough to stop their bad behavior.

Meanwhile, on ground level, the neighborhood alpha squirrel made his appearance with a shrill call to let everyone know this was his domain. Dick placed peanuts on the floor. The squirrel understood this action was for his benefit. He helped himself to a peanut and did what he always does. He ran lickety-split to a small storage shed across the driveway and disappeared under it with his peanut.

Returning to the pile of goodies on the deck, he kept busy for some time, dashing back and forth stashing peanuts. Life was peaceful until alpha squirrel spotted his arch nemesis— another red squirrel. This second squirrel likes to steal peanuts. Alpha spotted him, took a giant leap and charged, ruthlessly purging the deck of his enemy.

Several peaceful minutes passed until the resident chipmunk appeared. This chipmunk is so friendly, he greets us when we leave the house. However, several days ago, in his zeal to get at the peanuts, he had inadvertently nipped Dick’s finger, earning the name of Fang.

Fang now sucked up every single dang peanut in the pile. When he finished that meal, he harassed us for more, attempting to hop in our laps and racing along the back of our deck chairs. We closed the little bag of peanuts. We shooed him away. Nothing worked. Fang wanted more goodies.

We couldn’t get rid of him. “Too bad Alpha squirrel isn’t on the scene.” I said.” He’d make short work of Fang.”

Suddenly there he was. As if hearing me, Alpha popped out from around the corner, spotted Fang, and charged after him with a vengeance. Fang took off, his chubby little body moving as fast as it could and was absent for a long time.

Meanwhile, Alpha squirrel celebrated in his victory by squirreling away peanuts for the rest of the day.