Squirrelly Girlies

Happy Squirrel Appreciation Day!

2012-01-21T19:08:00.000-08:00

I attempted to take a new squirrel photo, but they weren't really out and about today. I think the rain last night and cold wind today had them in hiding. Here's one from my back yard that I haven't posted.

White-Tailed Antelope Ground Squirrels: Planking

2011-06-14T20:27:00.000-07:00

Have you heard of "planking?"

It's the latest trend where a person lies down, stiff as a board usually in a weird place. But it doesn't only involve people but ground squirrels as well. White-tailed antelope ground squirrels to be exact.

White-tailed antelope ground squirrels galore are found in Nevada's Valley of Fire State Park behind the visitors' center under the bird feeder collecting fallen bird seed. And if you watch long enough, you'll find a squirrel "planking."

Those ground squirrels are soooo trendy.

Once Again, Squirrel Appreciation Day!

2011-01-21T23:25:00.000-08:00

Happy (Nearly Belated) Squirrel Appreciation Day!

Orlando Squirrels

2010-11-24T22:04:00.000-08:00

I spotted this little cutie while visiting family in the Orlando area. And by "little," I mean little. So much smaller than the Fox Squirrels I see in Southern California. One of my nephews kept pointing to the squirrels and exclaiming "MOUSE!" (Followed by "Let's go get it!")

Learn more about the Eastern Gray Squirrel.

Cleveland Squirrels

2010-10-17T07:32:00.000-07:00

Cleveland squirrels are stocking up on nuts before the snow arrives and they have absolutely no fear of people.

Dogs and Squirrels

2010-10-12T20:32:00.000-07:00

Check out this great article about two of my favorite things: dogs &...

This is one of my dog Little Guy's tags. He truly used to be the Squirrel Partrol #1 Sheriff of our back yard. Unfortunately, he is too old and arthritic to jump and run after the critters like he used to, but he still gives them a good barking from time to time!

Happy Birthday to Fellow Squirrelly Girlie, Jodi!

2010-10-01T23:13:00.000-07:00

Kitty Squirrel

2010-09-24T01:06:00.001-07:00

Mosaic of Squirrels

2010-09-24T00:55:00.000-07:00

Click photo for bigness

California Ground Squirrel

2010-09-05T20:25:00.000-07:00

I don't ever remember seeing a California Ground Squirrel, but today I saw many. Seaside, on the central coast of California, the burrowing critters flourish. I saw some in Cambria and also San Simeon.

San Diego Zoo squirrels

2010-04-17T07:34:00.000-07:00

We have an annual membership to the San Diego Zoo and although we don't visit as much as we like, having the membership is great because we don't feel the need to visit every exhibit in order to make up the cost of admission. We can meander in one area and visit other exhibits at another time.

Besides the usual local birds which also visit the zoo freely are the local squirrels. The squirrels visit exhibits and forage food from either the caged animals or park visitors. They are fearless and let you come within a few feet of them before the take off.

With this recent visit, a little dialogue runs in my head about squirrels mocking the caged animals as they run about free around the zoo visiting different animals and stealing their food. Now that I think about it, isn't that an animated movie?

Little Squirrel, Big Nut

2010-04-11T15:15:00.000-07:00

A Squirrel In People Clothing

2010-03-22T12:45:00.000-07:00

Okay, so Grandpa Nerd Squirrel here is not really wearing clothes...just a little fun I had. That said, you really should check out this photo series from Life in 1944: "A Squirrel's Guide to Fashion." Tommy Tucker, the model, is shown wearing a variety of outfits, most of which are quite feminine. I LOVE the photo of him sitting on the lap of a boy in a wheelchair. So bizarre, so adorable.

2010-02-24T00:00:00.000-08:00

I had a fantastic photo shoot with my neighborhood squirrels recently. I just haven't had time to go through, pick out the best, etc. Here's one though that I kind of like. It was feeding time, meaning there were three of them raiding the peanut feeder next door.

More to come!

Squirrel Cupcakes!

2010-01-28T22:38:00.000-08:00

I've been looking for squirrel-related desserts and suddenly it hit me. Has anyone made any squirrel cupcakes?

After a quick search on Google, I found a few adorable cupcakes featuring our friendly, furry friend. Problem is, are they too cute to eat?

Photo by Huberific.

Cupcakes with directions found at Fire The Housewife.

Project Squirrel

2010-01-21T00:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Squirrel Appreciation Day! Yeah, you forgot didn't you? And now that you know, you're wondering how you will celebrate. Luckily, there are many great ideas offered up online from various sources such as The Huffington Post and the National Wildlife Federation.

I was quite excited to stumble upon something called Project Squirrel just in time for the "holiday." The research project started at the University of Illinois and enlists "citizen scientists" to observe the squirrels in their own neighborhoods. Read here for participation information. It sounds easy and fun. I will definitely be doing my part.

Leave a comment if you too plan to do some back yard research.

I Think He Died From A Peanut Allergy

2009-10-23T16:45:00.000-07:00

Graveyard squirrel outside of The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. Isn't he quite dapper with his holiday bow tie?

Squirrel photo bomb

2009-08-13T20:05:00.000-07:00

The idea behind the photo bomb is when a picture is taken and a person or thing ruins the photo. But what happens when a squirrel unintentionally steps into a photo as the shutter goes off? Minutes of cooing and laughter -- at least from me.

From Urlesque: Melissa Brandts and her husband stopped to take a photo using their camera's self-timer while vacationing in Canada. Intrigued by the sounds of the camera, a curious ground squirrel came over to check things out and popped into the frame right at the perfect moment.

I Haz A Squirrel Plate!

2009-07-31T17:35:00.000-07:00

Check out this cool plate a friend gave to me! Go ahead-be jealous!

Where will his friends sign his cast? It's so tiny!

2009-07-29T21:21:00.000-07:00

Squirrel vs. Yogurt Container

2009-07-14T20:10:00.000-07:00

Squirrels On Film?

2009-06-20T19:45:00.000-07:00

This twitter stream cracked me up! John Moe is the former host of Weekend America, which was one of my favorite radio shows.

Here Comes The (Squirrel) Bride

2009-06-12T14:00:00.000-07:00

Wishing Squirrelly Girl Darlene (and her man Paul) the most fantastically fun wedding imaginable this evening! Wish I was there!

Beware of Attack Squirrel

2009-05-18T12:40:00.000-07:00

Sign at Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA

JPL was established by the California Institute of Technology and is a laboratory for NASA. They hold an annual Open House for the public. I attended for the first time this year, but did not see this sign or said rodent. Bummer. I did, however, see a deer run down the hill amongst a decent amount of visitors. Rocket science is cool. Attack squirrels? Not so sure.

*Photo used by permission from the awesome heathervescent.

Solar-powered squirrel has been discontinued

2009-04-28T20:56:00.000-07:00

When I saw this on NerdApproved.com, I went right to the product page so I could decide whether or not I needed this. Unfortunately the product has been discontinued.

And it makes me wonder: was it too popular? Is the world ready for a solar-powered squirrel? I'll never know.

Flea Market Squirrels

2009-04-26T12:45:00.000-07:00

As tempted as I was by these squirrelly lawn ornaments, I resisted!

Rose Bowl Flea Market
4/12/09

Crafty Squirrel

2009-04-22T23:30:00.000-07:00

Whenever one of my co-workers is having their first child, everyone in the department comes together to make a quilt we present at the work baby shower. It's a tradition that's existed for many years. There is usually a theme and/or color scheme. It seems like people get more creative with each one we do. Maybe it's just all the practice we've had over the past couple of years of many babies being born.

The most recent one might be my favorite yet. The color scheme was earthy--browns, oranges, greens, pale yellows and the theme was nature. I decided to do what else, but...a squirrel!

I don't have a photo of the finished quilt, but here is my square:

Best Twitter Follow. Ever.

2009-03-16T22:05:00.000-07:00

My most recent twitter find is @common_squirrel. The tweets are simple, kind of stupid, and make me laugh. Most of the updates are the same every day, which is fine by me. Some samples:

run run run run run run run run
about 12 hours ago from web

dig dig dig
about 14 hours ago from web

stare
about 16 hours ago from web

tree
8:21 PM Mar 14th from web

sniff sniff
12:32 PM Mar 14th from web

How great is that? It's a refreshing break from what humans are having for lunch, complaints about the weather, and self-promotion.

But who's driving the boat?

2009-03-08T19:59:00.000-07:00

Four minutes of unadulterated video of Twiggy the water skiing squirrel!
Warning: hit mute on your computer if you can't stand Beyonce.

The Happy Miser

2009-03-02T12:30:00.000-08:00

My neighbor's squirrel feeder full of peanuts.

Photo by Jodi

The squirrels enjoyed yesterday's gorgeous weather as much as I did!

Squirrel Gifts From My Dogs: 2 In A Series

2009-02-17T13:40:00.000-08:00

Squirrel Socks

Okay, so they are a bit worn and stained, but that's only because they are thick, comfy, and warm. I basically wear them like slippers, which occasionally means running outside in them.

Squirrelly Valentines

2009-02-11T20:40:00.000-08:00

What says "I Love You" more than a handmade valentine? Nothing, unless it's a handmade valentine featuring...squirrels!

There is a beautiful template by Little Acorn that you can download.

If you want some variety in your paper cut squirrel greetings, Little Acorn posted another design template last year. Since both of these projects involve wielding sharp tools, I will not be making them.

Squirrel Bobble Head

2009-02-06T23:45:00.000-08:00

I got this odd little bobble head squirrel this past Christmas. He's cute, in his own way, but certainly is no Nut Hugger.

Windy City Squirrels

2009-02-04T20:19:00.000-08:00

My friend Jen T. from Chicago took these photos during a snow storm lull when the weather in the single digits. My first thought was "Oooo... a squirrel." But on a second look I realize the squirrel is trapezing on a maze of electrical wires!

Happy Groundhog Day!

2009-02-02T19:00:00.000-08:00

Okay, groundhogs aren't squirrels, but they do belong to the same rodent family and hey, we embrace most rodents here. While we do have our fair share of urban critter encounters here in Southern California--possums, raccoons, deer, skunks, tarantulas--I can't say I've ever seen a groundhog in the city or even in the wild.

Apparently, all of the "well known" North American groundhogs, including Balzac Billy (Calgary), Wiarton Willy (Ontario, Canada), Shubenacadie Sam (Nova Scotia), and Punxsutawney Phil (USA) saw their shadows, dooming us all to six more weeks of winter.

Well, not to rub it in too much, but we've basically been having summer here in Southern California, so I can't complain. I do feel for those of you suffering through a cold winter though and hope these rodents are wrong, for your sake! In the meantime, stay warm!

Introducing Nut Hugger

2009-01-25T21:15:00.000-08:00

As an avid squirrel aficionado, one my most prized possessions is Nut Hugger sculpted by Seonna Hong.

I first spotted Nut Hugger at the San Diego Comic-Con a few years ago. Nut Hugger was part of a toy series from Neo Kaiju Projectt from Strangeco. The entire toy line consisted of figures modeled by Gary Baseman, Tim Biskup, Kathy Staico Schorr and Todd Schorr. Some figures were more popular than others and when I finally decided to plunk down good money for Nut Hugger, she was sold out. Broken hearted, I opted for my second-favorite -- Tako Girl -- a purple octopus figure wearing a headband also designed by Seonna Hong.

Cute but still not the the figure I wanted.

A few years passed and in 2007 for Valentine's Day, I received Nut Hugger as a gift. Little did I know that Nut Hugger was one of the most-popular Neo Kaiju. It is an almost impossible figure to find now unless you have a connection overseas.

Squirrel Gifts From My Dogs: 1 in a Series

2009-01-24T14:35:00.000-08:00

The Light Up Squirrel

Someone in our neighborhood has two of these and I coveted them for quite sometime. My dogs, who are very generous gift-givers, presented this to me for one of my birthdays. I call him Sammy and often greet him when I arrive home. Yes, I'm a dork.

Sammy has a solar panel, which isn't working too well anymore, which powers a little light. It's pretty sweet, but yeah, hasn't held up too well in the hot sun. It's still cute during the day though.

Happy Squirrel Appreciation Day!

2009-01-21T19:45:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's that time of year again folks! Hopefully it's not too late and you got outside to show your love for those adorable creatures who are hanging out in your trees or looking for snacks. E-how even posted a list of instructions on how you can celebrate.

Personally, I think the best thing you can do to mark the occasion is get your yard friends some squirrel underpants! You'll be doing the critters, as well as your neighbors, a big service.