I'm guilty of playing favorites...

I know I shouldn't play favorites, but I can't help it...

(you can click any photos to enlarge)

(Sammy under the fuschia)
It's another overcast day here in New England. As I was looking through the window, hoping to see some hint of the sun trying to poke through...


... I noticed a "Chip" staring at me (but that is going to be a post for another day)... When I got back with my camera to take photos of Chip, I was very excited to see that my favorite squirrel (who I've named "My Sammy") had come for a visit.


I always know when it's "My Sammy" because his walk and movements are quite different from the other squirrels... (Here he is having a little chat with Nike, the garden turtle, on the deck railing)...


My Sammy stopped short when he saw little Christmas Tree Shop bunny, still on the railing from yesterday's "garden statue" photo shoot... I can just hear him thinking, "Well who are you? You aren't usually up here!"


He inched closer and closer, and after sniffing little CTS bunny, he was relieved to discover there would be no competition for peanut treats as she assured him she was more interested in flowers and plants!


Then he was off to check out the birdcage planter. I think he was trying to find a way into the cage to visit Mrs. Birdie for a bit! (As you can see, he's very social with all the garden statues!)


Oops - it looks like I've been spotted...

He stood up on his little hind legs, all excited - can you see the look of anticipation in his eyes? Ah yes, he knew what was coming next because he knows that I'm "The Peanut Lady"...


He scrambled down from the railing as quickly as he could... As I said, his movements are quite different from the other squirrels - more measured, a little slower. I believe his is a birth defect rather than an injury. He has a very short right arm with limited movement (most always held at a 90 degree angle), an almost non-existent paw, and one especially long claw extending from it. His rear foot is long and flat and flops around a lot, so he doesn't have full control over it to climb with.

I first noticed him at our feeder toward the end of fall last year, and I prayed that he would be able to make it through the rough New England winters since he was definitely at a disadvantage when it came to gathering food and escaping danger (the other squirrels were always quicker to get to the nuts thrown for them, or to climb trees to escape some of the neighborhood cats that roam free), but he has adapted very well.... It's fascinating to watch him gather nuts. Unlike most of the squirrels, who will take one nut at a time, he will try to take 2 or 3 at a time (very smart!). He lowers the front half of his body to the ground and rolls it onto the bad side so his short arm is resting on the ground. Then, with his good arm/paw, he pulls the nut into the crook of his bad arm, and then roll himself back up again.


Isn't he just adorable? Just look at that sweet face! It makes me melt.....

So yes, I know I shouldn't have favorites, but "My Sammy" tugs at my heartstrings in a very special way!


Donna