Chip(s) - up close and personal...

Since we live on the vast wilderness that is 1/3 of an acre, nestled snuggly amidst hundreds of other houses on 1/3 of an acre, we get excited over even the smallest sightings of wildlife (yes, even when they are on our patio table hoarding peanuts from a bag I left outside by mistake!).


Meet Chip (he could be any one of about 6 Chips). Up until about 3 or 4 years ago, we never even had chipmunks, and we've lived in this same house for 27 years! I don't know how or why, but all that changed several years ago, and this year we have about six Chips scampering about our yard.


Chips are addicted to "no salt roasted peanuts." They are also very territorial, and when all six of them are competing for the nuts things get a little 'wild' around here! One Chip got flipped into the waterfall fountain during a wrestling match last week but, thankfully, all that was hurt was his ego....


Unlike the squirrels, who will haltingly come closer and closer for a peanut, Chips practically leap into your lap to get their daily dose of peanuts (being provided here by our sweet Courtney).


Once they trust you, they are truly fearless little creatures (Chip and hubby in this photo)... When these little guys see me or hear me calling them (yes, I'm certain the neighbors think I've gone batty), they run to greet me, knowing full well that I keep my pockets stuffed with peanuts. I feel a bit like Sleeping Beauty when she walked through the forest and all the little critters ran to meet her (of course I don't have her sweet singing voice... or her long blond hair... or her tiny little waist... but you get the idea!)


These little guys have been such a welcome addition to our yard (Court took this great photo!)... If they can survive the neighborhood kitties that stalk them (grrrrr), then we'll be in for an entertaining summer (as well as some hefty peanut bills!)...

Donna