SQUIRREL COUSINS—
Finally, crisp lighting conspired with timing fortune to produce a nice picture of these bushy-tailed, woodland rodents; a gray and a black squirrel.
They, along with their much smaller cousins, red squirrels, are very common visitors (and often nuisances) around the bird feeders.
Surprisingly, while fox squirrels are native to Richland County I rarely see them around my woods.
While I was patiently waiting for this composition to assemble itself, several red squirrels were frolicking about the same small logs in the company of their even smaller cousins, a couple of chipmunks.
Alas, the paths of their constant antics never coincided for a pleasing picture of the entire family.
3 comments:
Since you seem to know this stuff... please tell me the difference between a fox squirrel and a red squirrel. Karen
Not mention the gliding counterparts we've had the privledge to winess during nighttime manuevers.
CW
Hi Karen: The fox squirrel is usually a bit larger than the gray squirrel but is colored in a rusty brown hue, sometimes showing a bit of gray in its fur.
The red squirrel is sized about half way between the regular size squirrels and chipmunks. They are a reddish brown color with a light belly and usually move about in a very rapid stop and go fashion.
The gliding counterparts Craig mentioned are flying squirrels. We have them too. They are nocturnal with huge eyes and are about the size of the little red squirrels but have a medium brown/black fur. They don't really fly but can glide quite a distance from their lofty perches.
Thanks for being curious!
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