We have lived in our current home for almost 13 years now, and despite the yard being full of trees, (all of which we planted, or had planted) I have only ever seen 3 squirrels here, which is a-okay by me, as I am afraid of the little creatures! (Years ago, when I was 17, I was chased by a rabid one...STOP LAUGHING... It was outside at a home I was visiting. At first I thought the squirrel was just friendly, but then I saw the madness behind its beady little eyes. As I walked away, it started to follow me, the faster I walked the faster it followed, and when I took off running, it chased me in fast pursuit! As I approached the front of the house, I lunged for the handle of the home's screened porch door, racing through the threshold and yanking the door closed behind me. At this very moment the crazed squirrel took a flying leap through the air, and landed on the screened door, spread eagle and at face level! Again... STOP LAUGHING! It was very traumatic! Had it not been for that door being there right at that moment that nutty squirrel would have been hanging on to the back of my head, with it's sharp little claws wrapped around my face!! We had to beat it off of the screen door with a shoe! I have had the willies for squirrels ever since... can you blame me!?!)
Anyway, 2 of those 3 squirrel sightings took place this week, and imagine our surprise when one of them turned out to be an Albino Squirrel! (Yes,she has red eyes!)
Despite my fear of squirrels, I feel intense maternal urges of protection for this little one, and have been thrilled that it has visited our yard several times now. We have named her Snowdrop, and I hope that she will find protection and happiness here, living in peace with the bunnies, (and me)!
Forgive these pretty awful pictures... it is the closest that I have been to a squirrel in sometime, and I feel terrible because I unintentionally scared her... poor thing. She was getting nervous with my photography, and made a sudden dash down the tree. I screamed like a cat with it's tail on fire, and that scared her even more. Poor little Snowdrop ran from tree to tree, as I stood frozen in fear. Anyway, every time she came to a new tree, she turned and looked to see if the crazy lady was still within sight, and then in a panic ran off to a new spot, zig-zagging across our yard like something out of a Looney Tune cartoon! Eventually she ran into the neighbors yard. However she did come back the next day, so hopefully all is forgiven. Much to Snowdrop's credit, she held onto her black walnut the entire time! Reminded me of the little critter from the movie Ice Age! I look for her now all the time, hoping she will return again. (I promise Snowdrop, the crazy lady will behave, and leave you in peace!)
24 comments:
I'm sorry. I had to laugh. I know it's not right, but the story of you being chased by a squirrel... it's *kind of* funny, you have to admit.
I'm sorry that it has left you so terrified of squirrels, though -- I love those little critters!
Meanwhile, the image of you and Snowdrop scaring the crap out of one another in the backyard might be even funnier than you being chased by the rabid squirrel! Thanks for the chuckle. :)
I did laugh...and I shouldn't have because as a native NYer now living in AZ the past 5 years have been interesting to say the very least. Snowdrop is very pretty and I'm glad despite your incident with the rogue rabid squirrel you are finding comfort and even companionship with her. I wonder what stories she'll tell her squirrel pals about camera wielding wild women!
Ha! How can we not laugh? Although I have to say, I would have been freaked out too!
Snowdrop is pretty cute!
I too woud have been afraid if a squirrel had chased me. But you did well...no camera shake despite your fear.
Oh I laughed and laughed some more. It's just too visual!
I only saw an albino squirrel once, when I was in high school. Poor thing was being chased away by the grey squirrels and I felt protective on it. Watching it raised a lot of my high school social insecurities...
ok, i choked back my giggles out of respect...love that snowdrop has made your yard part of her territory. i hope you and she find a peaceful coexistence.
That explains SO much!
Cinda
I am no fan of squirrels myself (they dig little holes all over my yard and, since I have a killer cat, also end up dead on my front porch more than I care to admit), but I have never seen an albino squirrel, and that is SO COOL. Thanks for the pictures!
LOL!!! She's a cutie. My dad new a priest who was trying to be like St. Francis maybe... he attempted to feed a squirrel out of his hand and the squirrel bit him! Punctured his finger, so you were right to run like the wind.
Victoria, I didn't laugh I promise...giggled a little, chuckled definitely! :D
Bless your heart, thanks for being so brave! I'm so glad you were able to get some pics of this beauty, I've never seen an albino squirrel before!
And I love the Japan needle book in your previous post!
Wow! Thats crazy!
What?! I have never seen this before - so neat!!
Laughing is good for the soul. Thank you for that.
I am not a fan a squirrels just because they make a mess of my yard, but this gal is pretty endearing.
Ha! I hear of squirrels being referred to as 'nutty squirrels' sometimes. Now I understand why. I previously thought that it was because they ate nuts. No! They ARE nuts! The one you encountered all those years ago sounds beyond nutty. He/she sounded downright psycho! I couldn't help but laugh at your story. Sorry! I do think Snowdrop looks very sweet. I'm sure she will learn to grow more comfortable around you in time & the two of you will become good friends :)
Okay, now that I've stopped laughing...I thought those type of things only happened to me!
I can't believe you were able to overcome your fears and get as close as you did to this one - which I find all the more creepy...yet interesting too :)
I would be traumatized if a squirrel chased me, too! : )
Wow, who could blame you? Once when I was a little girl, I had my long Easter dress on and went out in the backyard. When I came in, a Praying Mantis was on the bottom of my dress. I had never seen one before and I was SO scared!! I still hate them to this day!
I too was once chased by a crazy squirrel. Mine was protecting a bucket full of nuts that was on the side of the garage that we got that afternoon as a *bounus* at an auction. I feel your fear!
That is a very cool squirrel! I have never ever even heard of anyone seeing an albino squirrel before!
hehehe! How unusual to see an albino squirrel, I hope it manages to keep safe as it certainly stands out!
: )
that little critter is so cool. Your story is too funny but too freaky at the same time.
Snowdrop looks like she is a nursing mom so you may be blessed with seeing babies soon as well. She looks really healthy so keep up the black walnuts. I have fed our squirrels for 30 years and they have brought us untold amounts of pleasure over the years. Enjoy them while you can.
Please forgive my laughter...it is the kind of thing that is funny if it isn't happening to you.
That's so neat you are blessed with an albino neighbor...nature is so interesting!
aw so cute
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