I ended up working all-day Friday – heading home, the news talked about this historic geomagnetic storm that will make for a beautiful display in night skies across the country. When I got home, I told my amazing (and understanding) wife, load up, because we’re headed to Crater Lake. Around 4-hours later (as the sun was setting), we’re setting up cameras and waited for the light show of the decade (maybe the century). Around 2:00 am, we’re loading up and heading back to home.

Was it worth it, I would have to say “Most Definitely”.

If you ever watch a squirrel when given a nut, you might observe that they are a bit fastidious with them. Typically, they don't chow down! In fact, at times, they may outright reject an offering. In the beginning, that made me wonder, and I admit more than once that I tested one to see if it tasted funny! So typical me, I did some research!

So here it goes! If you don't want to understand, stop here and look at the images!

Come to find out there is some madness to their routine. If you watch closely they usually go through a process. Initially, they hold it in their mouth, which immediately puts their scent on the nut, and then they begin a quality control test on the nut. They will sniff it to test its freshness, which immediately determines if it is suitable for burying or if it should instead be eaten. Then, you will often see them do a shake-rattle movement with their paws to determine if there is actually a nut inside and how big it is! Squirrels can bury anywhere between 3000 -10,000 nuts, and they will do what is called spatial chunking in that they actually bury them according to the type of nut. So you might have a section for peanutville, walnutville and so on. They also scatter over a distance to prevent a loss if something happens in a particular area. Their strong sense of smell allows them to be able to stiff through the dirt. Pretty amazing little GPS system they have going! In addition, should they think another squirrel is watching them when they are burying them, they will do what is called deceptive caching. This means they will go through the entire burying process, including what seems to be dropping the nut in and covering it, and all the while, it is safely tucked inside their mouth. Watching them go through the process, it often takes a while before they select the place. So I guess when they actually eat it, they usually take their time and enjoy it!

So that's what I know so far, and more than most of you might want to know!

These are some of my shots where they seem to be examining the quality of my peanuts! Sometimes, their expressions suggest they are questioning their decisions!

Hope you enjoy!

I typically place nuts on the picnic table while working with my guys. Some of my squirrels appear to view it as an all-you-can-eat buffet. I have been fascinated by how skilled they are at attempting and, yes, achieving taking multiple nuts! I guess their thought is to grab them when you can, or perhaps first come, first served! I have even watched a few try to figure out how to scoop more with their paws.

They continue to impress me with their intelligence and creativity.

Hope you enjoy. Again, thanks for letting me share as I continue to navigate through this latest challenge!

It was early in the spring when I first began with my squirrels nearly a year ago. I noticed one squirrel, in particular, seemed to like to pose for me, and they always dropped down into the same position. As I photographed him, it was funny, but he actually appeared to be modeling as he would hold the pose for a while and then began to vary it, such as dropping his paw down or angling his body in a different position. It was as if he knew he was working with a novice and was trying to train me! Note there were never any peanuts offered. Often, I would see him and began to call him Dropster, and strangely, he would immediately drop down. I later discovered this was called splooting. This is a position that a squirrel goes into often to cool down, but in working with them I have discovered this is often a position that they assume when they are relaxed or chilling out. Over my time with my guys as you will see this appears to be a common position.

On a side note, I later discovered that Dropster was not a male, but indeed a female! One day, I found her in this position by a tree. A few minutes later, another squirrel joined her, and I found myself documenting my first mating!

You may notice that the quality of some of these may vary as they were taken with a different camera.

Sorry, this is more squirrel stuff, but until I get on my feet again, this is me! I seriously considered fading away for a time but decided this was just the depression talking from the accident. So, I am trying to regroup and I hope I don't bore you with work from my "archives!"

I'm gonna miss you yelling "Mimi, c'mere" and "I wanna backed potato" (for 25 years).
It's OK that you couldn't say "baked".
Gonna miss sharing my peaches, grapes, bananas, green peas, green beans and cheerios with you.
I loved hearing you yell "Mimi". I knew the answer was supposed to be "What Kiwi?" but but I loved hearing you fuss at me when I just said "what?".
This is the first time in my life I have been without a pet and you were the last.

In case you didn't notice, click baits are getting ridiculous. I read the local paper online every day, and at the bottom of each page they have "interesting" articles. I stopped counting a fifty. They are definitely designed to get your attention. "This food is killing you." "Do this every day and live to be 100." "Buy any car you want for just $1,000."

Naturally, this is all nonsense. I looked at some out of curiosity, and many do not even mention the item in the headline. I imagine that some people with nothing to do go from one article to another.