h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I like the contrast of the squirrel and the ivy - I agree with you about the squirrel's colouring, it's a really lovely mix of shades and different colours.

Ivy is my 2nd daughter's favourite thing. Her wedding last year was ivy-themed. (And she has ivy tattoos on her thigh)

My sister adores squirrels and has them regularly visiting her garden. She does not have any tattoos, neither do I

Thanks for the photo Bob, I've saved it to show my sister

This is another lovely shot.

You're right about zoom - it's difficult to get right, especially if you're in a hurry.

Today I almost ran over a squirrel that was in the road. You know the best way to catch a squirrel? Stand under a tree and act like a nut.

Great photo
I wouldn't say that there's a red squirrel colony on the Isle of Wight, it's more a case that the grey squirrel has colonised most of the rest of the UK: http://www.redsquirrels.info/wp-con...ds/2013/10/UK_distribution_mapb.jpg

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Or this map shows the story: http://rsst.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/squirrel-maps.jpg

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I guess red squirrels nowadays are more likely to want a wee Deeoch and Doris.

I note this from the UK Woodland Trust. Although they place most of the blame for the decline of red squirrel populations on the accidental introduction of the grey squirrel, they also point out:

'Another huge factor in their decline is the loss of woodland over the last century, but road traffic and predators are all threats too.'

Red squirrels are mostly found in woods. We've got them, too - although we have one, whom we call 'Padraig the Mean Red Squirrel', who dashes into our backyard and causes the larger Greys to flee in terror.

What amazes me is how emotive this issue is. I personally love all squirrels, and spend money feeding them. But most Americans refer to them as 'tree rats'. The sentimentality over there about a rodent is a revelation.

On a related note, spring is definitely on its way. Chippy the Chipmunk emerged from her den under the porch this weekend to join the grey squirrels and bunnies in a forage.

If you've been trying for years to grow tulips, you can be forgiven for not being a squirrel fan. I know someone who spent hundreds on tulip bulbs, only to realize that she was giving the local squirrels an expensive meal.

What we're left with is anything that squirrels don't like -- daffodils, irises, etc. Except that a squirrel may dig the bulbs up, realize how yucky they taste, and then bury them somewhere else.

Spring is definitely in the air, today's the first day I've left my house without a thick warm coat on in months!

Not all denizens this side of the pond are fond of grey squirrels, Prince Charles for one would have them culled

I like all squirrels too. Especially the black version of the reds.

The British red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is different to the American red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus). In the UK the red squirrel is a protected species under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 and Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000, making it an offence to intentionally kill or injure a red squirrel or intentionally or recklessly damage or destroy any structure or place a red squirrel uses for shelter or protection, or disturb a red squirrel while it occupies such a place. Greys have no protection and it is illegal to release a grey squirrel into the wild or allow one to escape if caught.

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Ah, I didn't know they were different species. Thanks, BB!

But my statement about attitudes still stands - in fact, I think you've all just demonstrated it. I didn't say you were *wrong*, just that I thought it was interesting how fondly people regard red squirrels. It's like finding a place where pigeons are revered...

Obviously, the grey squirrel in Britain is an invasive species. Like the asparagus fern in Florida, or the walking catfish in Tenneessee, which give me the heebie-jeebies, or zebra mussels in the Pacific Northwest. Or why it is illegal, at least, so I've heard, to keep gerbils as pets in Arizona. The gerbil is indestructible, *and it likes the desert*.

Paul, I feel about deer the way you feel about squirrels. They've dug up our bulbs, ravaged our tomato plants, eaten poor infant trees down to the ground...last year, one evening, I heard Elektra yell, 'Go away, Bambi's mother!' at a deer in our yard. We love wildlife, but those deer are why we can't have nice things.

Nice shot Bob, you've managed to poke a wasps nest too! Lol

Love squirrels, venison too, the odd ostrich, kangaroo...must clean the barbie...

Except for the tulip issue, I admit that I *do* like squirrels. Partly this has to do with my love of oak trees, which squirrels do a good job of planting.

We have no deer here. We have a few more rabbits than I would like . And, yes, I admit that rabbits do some good things, like fertilizing my phlox with their droppings. And here's the thing: I would glad strike a bargain with rabbits, planting the kind of greens that they love if only they would leave my asters and yarrow alone. But I doubt they would get the message. Last summer, they didn't touch my beet greens, even thought he experts say that rabbits love them. Instead, they mowed down my asters, which have to grow for months before I get flowers form them.

Thanks for the comments everyone

Please forgive all the rabbit-chasing in this thread, bob - your photograph is really beautiful, as always. I am continually amazed.

Speaking of invasive species, how's the cane toad down in Aussieland? Are they still giving away free beer for every carcass? A12945017

Bunnies are cute on plates
http://www.ebay.com/bhp/williams-sonoma-easter-plates
or on the silver screen
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5117670/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
but not in my garden