The Red and The Grey

What ever did we do to deserve all the attention we are receiving from the squirrel population of Seneca. Yes, we have bird feeders out on the upper deck, which the squirrels cheerfully insist on sharing with the birds. Yes, we have a bird bath on the upper deck, which the squirrels have claimed as their private water dish. Yes, we have the upper deck lushly planted with flowers, herbs, and some veggies, which the squirrels view as their personal salad bar. We try to make it crystal clear to the squirrels that they are NOT welcome up here. Squirrels, however, are blind and deaf to criticism, bb guns, water pistols, sarcasm, insults, and bad vibes. Really.

Observant seniors that we are, we have noticed a difference in the intelligence, behavior and courtesy of the two species of squirrel that regularly raid our upper deck:

Red Squirrels (aka Fox Squirrels) are large, with lush, red fur, luxuriant tails, bright black eyes, and a tendency to polite behavior.

Grey Squirrels are smaller than the red, rat-faced, pointy-eared, thin coated and skinny tailed, with a tendency to manic and destructive behavior and a total disregard for the niceties of co-existence with humans.

Nature being the capricious entity that it is, the grey squirrels reproduce at an astounding rate, and the reds...not so much. This is not good for the balance of nature.

We are actively engaged in furthering the advancement of the red squirrels. We shall continue, from time to time, our posting of how we are doing with this quest.