All spring we've been waiting for the day when our dear little chipmunk would reappear after his long and deep winter sleep. Well, yesterday was that day, and oh, what a way to get reacquainted ...
You might be wondering how we were able to get such a close picture. Well, it's quite a tale to tell, as well as quite a tail to tell about ...
I had just settled Earlybird for his afternoon nap, and sat myself down at the computer, when Bookwork called out in alarm:
"Mama! Come quickly! It's the chipmunk! He's being attacked by the cat!"
True enough, that neighborhood nuisance, the bane of our birdfeeders, Sassy, was climbing the back fence in hot pursuit of none other than our beloved little chipmunk! Of course I, experienced wildlife defender that I am, sprung into action and within moments was there on the scene.
My fierce clapping drove the cat away but the whole situation had stunned the poor chipmunk who clung to the fence for dear life, not moving an inch, even as I crept closer and closer. The boys rushed me the camera (first braving a fierce wasp in the doorway), and I was able to take many pictures such as these. I'm going to restrain myself here and post just two more:
Isn't he just the cutest little traumatized thing?
So now we know the chipmunk has returned at last, and since we caught Sassy in the act, I think we now know what happened to the gray squirrel, Tough Nut's, tail. If you look closely at the top picture you can see just how close was our poor chipmunk's escape from feline clutches. His tail is now stripped of fur and was bleeding quite badly. But the good news is we think he will make it. Of course the bad news is Sassy knows this too ...
And since no wildlife moment is complete without a glance at our oft-quoted Handbook of Nature Study, here are a few thoughts by Ms. Comstock on chipmunks:
"The Chipmunk is more easily tamed than red squirrels and soon learns that pockets may contain nuts and other good things to eat ... He is pretty and disctinctly companionable, and I can rejoice that I have had him and his whole family as my near neighbors for many years. I always feel especially proud when he shows his confidence by scampering around our porch floor and peeping in at our windows, as if taking a reciprocal interest in us."
That Anna Comstock, she's my kind of gal. :)
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