Squirrely

The squirrels that live around our house take a shortcut from the front yard to the back yard by going over the roof.  Over the years I've gotten used to hearing the pitter patter of little squirrel feet clattering from the front, over the top and down the back.  There are large oak trees on either end of this squirrel expressway and it must be fun to go skidding down the shingles and leap into the tree.

But that was then and this is the Year of the Acorn.  To put it mildly the acorn crop this year has been more than bountiful.  The trees are dropping nuts faster than the GOP can register them!  Everywhere you step it's crunch, crunch, crunch and the roads are brimming from curb to curb with smashed acorns.

However, that's only half of the problem.  The acorns that haven't hit the ground have hit the stomachs of our ravenous squirrels and those "little" guys are getting Pump You Up ginormous!

How fat are they?

I had to use a wide angle lens to photograph one in the tree.

The trees looks like stalks of broccoli next to these dudes.

The pitter patter has turned into a buffalo stampede that is shaking the plaster out of the ceiling.

I saw a squirrel get hit by a car the other day and the car had to pull over with a smashed grill while the squirrel looked on reproachfully.

They've learned how to turn on the hot tub and party on the back deck chattering away until the wee hours of the morning.  I went out there to shut down the party and got stared down, instead.

Knock knock.

Who's there?

Squirrel.

Squirrel who?

Mister Squirrel to you, that's who!

And so it goes.  It's not too bad, really.  The squirrels have moved in and seem to be taking care of the place OK.  I've got a nice spot out back by the hedge and you know, there's nothing like the great outdoors.  Fresh air, lots of stars at night and all the acorns a guy could ask for.  Bon appetite!