… until Linda shows up with peanuts.
The weather forecasters were correct this time – Ol’ Man Winter made a return visit, stopping by just long enough to whiten the landscape and put down a layer of ice that made the driveway look like an icy washboard. The two-day event included snow that was blowing and drifting and when it was all done, there was 5 ½ inches of new snow with an icy glaze. I spent each weekday morning shoveling or grumbling about the ice. I’m on the shady side of the street (as to where the sunshine finally hits late in the day, not necessarily the inhabitants of this block), so when we had temps dip down to a “real feel” in single digits, even walking down the sidewalk or driveway was a slick trip.
So, I didn’t walk any weekdays since I ran errands last Monday before the snow event. When the sun melted a wee bit of driveway ice Friday afternoon, I seized that opportunity to get down to Council Point Park Saturday morning. This time the pathway had not fared so well. The City had not plowed so the walking path was still snow-and-ice covered. It was bitter cold and I wondered if I needed to coax the squirrels to ground level and onto the grass, where snow reached the top of my hiking boots, but where I wisely chose to walk so I didn’t land on my butt.
It sure was pretty though …
Great expectations.
The squirrels were scoping me out from their nests high above … before I would get to them, they had scrambled out of their trees and awaited me, so I almost felt like a celebrity with a passel of adoring fans. 🙂
what is the proper peanut protocol here?”
My furry friends were eager to eat despite the cold and snow and I was able to walk parallel to one loop (the equivalent of one mile) to dole out peanuts and get some photos too.
The snow was high enough to tickle the squirrels’ pale underbellies and appear on their furry faces, so I couldn’t resist pulling the camera out to get a few photos of my peanut pals’ antics and their cute snow-covered noses.
makes me lose my credibility just a little.”
I needn’t have worried they would not come down from their cozy nests to eat … Parker led the pack of peanut pals …
has the best selection when another pile of peanuts is dropped.
I picked my way precariously as I needed to step on some of the icy path as I headed back to the pavilion where I left more peanuts and suet, some offerings for later in the day.
I completed my steps by doing a couple of miles in the parking lot, which had been plowed and salted. There was only one other walker and he likewise sidestepped the icy path like I did. I returned yesterday and it was a little better, but not much.
This morning a torrential rain is pounding the snow and ice away and is about thirty degrees warmer than it was on Saturday! Here are a few more of the friendly faces I encountered:
who wants to stick around in this weather?
Next time bring along a hat, scarf and mitts okay?”
C’mon Spring!!!!!
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
I love “Where were you all week?“ — great picture!
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Glad you liked the picture and yes, if I could read his mind, that would be what he was saying. I get that look if I’m not quick enough to open up the Ziploc bag and dole out peanuts. 🙂
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Those squirrels were giving you attitude!
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Yes, they were Kate … you give them an inch and they want a mile. I likely indulge them too much so partly my fault. Have I mentioned how much the gang (at the house and the Park) are enjoying the black oilers that you mentioned you bought your squirrels? Now it is peanut AND sunflower bliss and they don’t have to “work the feeder” as I lay them right down on the sidewalk with the nuts. The jays and cardinals at the Park were enjoying them too (until this last snowfall since the pathway was so icy.)
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Love the snowy snout !!
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Yes, they look even cuter that way don’t they Terry?
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Your title is the best!! I enjoyed reading about your furry friends.
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Thanks Anne – I was trying to think of a funny title to showcase (or maybe I should say “snowcase”) the Park cuties. They sure were happy to see me – their peanuts buried back in late Summer/Fall were underneath snow and frozen ground – poor little guys.
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Perfect pictures Linda! And I love the captions and the blog title!
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Glad you liked it Joni. I was trying to think of a fun title to go with the cute photos. They sure were glad to see me since I’d been absent from the Park since Sunday morning and I doubt anyone else made it down there due to the icy mess. I found myself a safe spot to take pictures as it was absolutely treacherous on the path. I have ice cleats which would have worked well, but can’t walk on the pavement in the parking lot and decided trying to put them in the middle of the Park was not a good idea.
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Great fun photos. It’s good to have friends, even if they are inclined to be quick to criticize you and your peanut delivery schedule.
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Glad you liked the photos Ally. They were quick to come over to see me, whether for my personality or my peanuts. 🙂
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Oh, Linda…I cannot believe the difference in weather between Michigan and Pennsylvania. It was cold this weekend and windy, but we have not had any snow to speak of this winter. So sorry to read that you didn’t get to walk this week. You must be getting a little bit “itchy”.
Poor little squirrels! They must have been so happy to see you.
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You know it’s funny Laurie – up until “meeting” you here I always thought the weather in Pennsylvania was similar to ours here in Michigan year ’round. A lot of that is because I listen to my local radio station’s Accuweather meteorologists who live in Pennsylvania and they comment on their weather which SEEMED similar. Yes, the weather was cold (that I can adapt too) but the pathway was very icy – you can see icy bootprints. It was a little better yesterday, but not much. Now, we had temps that are 30 degrees warmer than the past few days and had many hours of torrential rain and it got to 50 degrees today (such an anomaly for Michigan weather) so I predict the ice and snow will be gone and tomorrow, back to the Park and “back in business” again.
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Dear Miss “winter is for the birds”………………………..I enjoyed your PASSEL of friends…………………………especially Mr. Parker!
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That Parker is a sweetie Ann Marie, whether he is holding a heart-shaped cookie or he is leading the pack for peanuts!
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I always enjoy your squirrel photos! Spring is almost here.
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Thanks Rebecca – they sure are cuties sometimes, especially with some snow on their snouts. We have had a mild Winter here in SE Michigan, but I am still ready for Spring. I see some sprouts in gardens around the neighborhood – these homeowners have had daffodils, crocuses and snowdrops coming up in the same location for years. I hope you have stayed safe from all the tornadic activity – what a devastating loss of lives and property last night.
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We had strong winds that night, but no tornadoes in our immediate area. It is heartbreaking the loss they have experienced in Middle Tennessee.
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That’s good Rebecca – you are the only one I know who lives in Tennessee. The photos and stories I been seeing online are just incredible. The picture of the school especially and a woman describing a poodle getting sucked out of the window before her eyes. I hope they locate all the bodies as loved ones must be going crazy with worry and likely now resignation that they cannot still be alive.
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I heard “Twiggy” became famous because of water skiing……..I bet you could train Parker to both snowshoe and skate!……….might be a problem finding the right size and putting them on?
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Yes, on the front paws – those back paws and feet are much bigger, still would be hard to make them though. I saw “Peachy” today and his fur is coming along and not just peach fuzz anymore, but he has some bald spots around his neck and back (unless it is another poor squirrel with mange). And today I was walking past the Creek and a squirrel went running across on the partial ice – all of a sudden he hit a soft spot and fell into the water. The look on his face was priceless!
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would of been great If you had gotten it on video!
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Yes Wayne, it would have been great to capture it, and I should probably mention it in a post because I swear he looked around, just like a human would if that person did something dumb – as if to check himself and say “gee, I hope none of the other squirrels saw me plop into the water as I wasn’t paying attention!”
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maybe looking for predators who would take advantage?
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I don’t think any predators would have followed him across the ice and the poor thing would have been a sitting duck for a hawk if it would have seen him, but maybe you’re right and he saw a hawk and just flopped into the water, but it looked like he was running across and didn’t realize he reached the end of the ice. He looked a little forlorn down there. I can’t imagine he was looking for food there – we had a lot of dead fish wash up, the shad were all along the banks of the Creek after one of the last few days of very cold temps. We have been in abnormal weather for weeks now … not the constant Winter weather like we used to have, but extremes … very cold, with a wind chill in the teens, or single digits, and that is like that for several days, then two or three days of above-average temps, sometimes 30 degrees higher than the day before.
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It could of been fleeing from something that spooked it? Thats not normal behaviour. If It was the Hawks would be big and fat!
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That could be; now I feel sorry for it instead of smiling at its antics… I just thought the little guy was not paying attention and plopped into the water. Interestingly, he was able to get right out, and did not have to swim and did not sink. So whether there was ice underneath where he stood, or there are lots of branches and debris in the water I don’t know, but he sure climbed out quickly. Hope he didn’t get sick. I shook my bag to get him to come over for peanuts as I figured he was shook up and needed a treat but he ran off.
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I would of ran off too!
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I have to say Linda, your squirrel photos are so cute, that they come right up to you and look up at you is just amazing. I have never seen that before. I love your line, ” What is the peanut protocol here.” They have a look of excitement in their eyes waiting for their treats. Your words always make me smile. I have been getting your messages, but in case anything happens to your wp, here is my regular email. I would hate to lose contact with you if your wp messed up. Have a good day Linda.
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Thank you Sandra – I do love those little squirrels … they are so cute and I feel for them being in the cold and snow like that. I decided to voice their concerns about peanuts and cold with the captions – glad you liked them and gave you a smile. I have noted your e-mail address and will send you an e-mail so you have mine … I will delete it from the comment now. Thank you for giving it to me and I also don’t want us to lose touch.
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Lovely post- Linda- felt like I was watching family there, I know many of those squirrel faces so well. I am pretty sure all our squirrels have died- or no one is interested in the peanuts I put out for them.
Is winter coming back?
Susie
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I’m glad you enjoyed this squirrel post … they sure were cold that morning – it was brutal out and I thought they looked very cute with snow on their snouts. I wonder why they are not eating peanuts Susie? Maybe the weather is warm enough they can forage for nuts or berries they buried – is that the reason maybe? Our Winter has been beyond strange this year … warm one day, cold the next – sometimes a 30-degree difference … crazy! – Linda
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I actually saw one fellow, just one, sitting between the bars of a fence, I wouldn’t have noticed him if I hadn’t looked down and he had an acorn in his mouth- hope those are edible.
We had heavy rains today, not the sort of drizzles I have seen here but real good rain. It is funny weather but I love the unpredictability of it all.Accuweather is accurate more often than not.
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Well we have some blustery weather for a few days, a hint of snow flurries or light rain, then cold on Friday, then 60 F (15 C) on Sunday. You may not get snow yet, but often there is snow that happens in April, so you might get a chance yet. I don’t have any oak trees around here, but you give me an idea as Elizabeth Park where I walk sometimes on weekends, has nothing but oak trees. You cannot see the grass for oak leaves littered around the entire Park, so unless the squirrels are eating those acorns, I should gather some for my little guys – there are no oak trees in the neighborhood or at Council Point Park. It would be a good change from peanuts … so if your squirrels have access to acorns, that could be why your peanuts are not going like wildfire? There are no other nut trees around here for the squirrels to forage in the Winter, so they are dependent on peanuts … they buried so many peanuts, but can’t access them due to frozen ground or snow.
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I am pretty sure my squirrels( squirrels around my dorm) are sleeping or have died- there is almost none seen – even the birds are so few. But the days are getting longer these days, though still cold and rainy. They say it might snow tomorrow but not enough to ?stick.
Acorns are everywhere around- hope they are not poisonous.
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Well it is squirrel mating season … but they still have to eat and after the kits (squirrel babies) are born, they spend about 12 weeks in the nest with their mothers so that would mean less squirrels on the ground.
So you are having lots of rain Susie. I hope people still assure you this is oddball weather and certainly not the norm. I feel badly I urged you to buy warm woolens, but you WOULD have encountered cold and snow, had things been the same as in years past. Are the acorns green? Guessing so as they are brown come Fall. No, squirrels like acorns and people gather them up and give them to squirrels along with peanuts. I will gather some at Elizabeth Park next Fall as there are nothing but oak trees there and bring them home. People eat them too – here is a recent article for you to keep your brain humming while you are on break:
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2019/09/are-acorns-edible-and-other-acorn-facts/
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Thank you Linda- I miss the squirrels and their cheeky faces. I am back home.
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I am glad you made it fine Susie. I am caught up in comments – going to Reader now to read about your travails.
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Ahh this post actually made me nostalgic for snow and yes for the squirrels. I used to live in Chicago, for twenty years, and the squirrels were a constant source of entertainment and drove our dogs nuts. Good memories. I don’t miss the cold, oh no, but I do miss the snow. It’s definitely even harder to deal with icy temperatures when you have been living in a tropical climate for years. We struggled in Chicago on a recent trip in November to deal with frigid temperatures. But then again there is always Spring to look forward to and it is always so glorious to see all those little buds popping up all over….
Peta
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Hi Peta – I know several people, among them bloggers, who grew up in the Midwest and moved to warmer climes … they say they miss the four seasons, but having lived my entire life in a four-season climate (first in Canada and then we moved here in 1966), I would be perfectly fine in nice weather all year around. Because I took the bus to work (downtown Detroit) for decades and left my car parked in the garage, my Winter driving skills are not the best … I’ve never been forced to drive in it, so I look at snow as an annoyance for driving, or especially my walking regimen.
The cold does not bother me so much as I have a lot of woolens and heavy coats, lug-soled boots from all those years of taking the bus, so I’ll go out even in brutally cold weather, but the snow and ice … that holds me back, and ice at the Park where I work keeps me away too. Our four seasons are morphing together now … I saw magnolia buds on the neighbor’s magnolia bush several weeks ago and my tree has not dropped its leaves. The past three years we have had torrential flooding every Spring and the lakeshore parks are a soggy mess.
I resorted to buying rubber boots last Spring or I might never have gone out.
The biggest treat is seeing the buds popping out … I agree with you. On my regular walking route, I have monitored one house in particular with its snowdrops, crocuses and daffodils … just a welcome sign and hope for the coming months.
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You really are a life line for these furry little friends of yours. I loved your picture captions 😁
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I worry about them so much Zena, because if it is snowy and icy I won’t take the car, and I’ll walk if there is snow, but not ice as I’m afraid of wiping out. So on the few occasions we’ve had snow, I try to get down there the first clear day. They are so sweet that I figured I’d give them a voice and give everyone a smile. Glad you liked those captions.
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