I have a squirrel with half a tail in my yard but haven't got a photo yet. But I did get a photo of the oriole that finally visited my oriole feeder.

One of you outdoors lovers has got to get this:

Humiliate Your Backyard Pests With This Giant Head Squirrel Feeder

I don't care much for the outdoors, and I wouldn't have the patience to wait around looking for squirrels, or I'd get one.

Originally Posted by skimonkey

wow...Scifan...love all the cute Squirrel pics you posted. They are the cutest little creatures aren't they

I've seen cute squirrels, but also some that have made me laugh or shudder.

I remember my husband pointing out a squirrel to me once that looked all scrawny and raggedy, like a little beggar squirrel. Its fur was all askew and tufty. Another time, I remember going on a date ages ago and having a date shake in S. California. (There are kiosks by the water that sell shakes made out of dates.) There were overflowing garbage cans with the remains of shakes, fries and such. Those squirrels must've had all they could eat, without restraint. They made me kind of sick looking at them, because they were so fat, they had weird bulges all over, like a sack of fur with odd-shaped things crammed into them. Horror!

Originally Posted by Kaykaykay

One of you outdoors lovers has got to get this:

Humiliate Your Backyard Pests With This Giant Head Squirrel Feeder

I don't care much for the outdoors, and I wouldn't have the patience to wait around looking for squirrels, or I'd get one.

Oh my gosh...I need one of those squirrel head feeders!! Too cute!!

Originally Posted by Kaykaykay

I've seen cute squirrels, but also some that have made me laugh or shudder.

I remember my husband pointing out a squirrel to me once that looked all scrawny and raggedy, like a little beggar squirrel. Its fur was all askew and tufty. Another time, I remember going on a date ages ago and having a date shake in S. California. (There are kiosks by the water that sell shakes made out of dates.) There were overflowing garbage cans with the remains of shakes, fries and such. Those squirrels must've had all they could eat, without restraint. They made me kind of sick looking at them, because they were so fat, they had weird bulges all over, like a sack of fur with odd-shaped things crammed into them. Horror!

That is too funny, Kay! The squirrels here are plumping up real good for the winter...and so early, too. Am a little worried about that to think Winter is getting closer! I agree that some squirrels can look a bit scrawny, mangy looking. I guess when there is a known food source around, those squirrels feel pretty safe to just sit and eat all day without a worry of anything!

BTW...never had a date shake before. Was it any good or was it bad and that's why there were so many tossed in the garbage?

Originally Posted by Czevski

I have a squirrel with half a tail in my yard but haven't got a photo yet. But I did get a photo of the oriole that finally visited my oriole feeder.

Attachment 21311

Czevski...I know we have orioles around here, but haven't seen any come by. I guess I need an oriole feeder now.

Have you had any sightings of Monarch butterflies around your area? I have only seen 3 this summer so far.

Orioles, red-breasted grosbeaks, monarchs and other butterflies, dragonflies, and all sorts of beautiful creatures are around and I see them on my walks. But I have few butterflies in my yard. And my oriole feeder is just in hope - until yesterday only house finches were seen there. I've seen hummingbirds only one also. Cardinals, finches, robins, doves, bluejays and other more common birds keep me entertained. And the squirrels, bunnies, and chipmunks!

Originally Posted by skimonkey

That is too funny, Kay! The squirrels here are plumping up real good for the winter...and so early, too. Am a little worried about that to think Winter is getting closer! I agree that some squirrels can look a bit scrawny, mangy looking. I guess when there is a known food source around, those squirrels feel pretty safe to just sit and eat all day without a worry of anything!

BTW...never had a date shake before. Was it any good or was it bad and that's why there were so many tossed in the garbage?

From what I remember, the date shake was rich and good, but once I got a look at those squirrels, I didn't want to stick around drinking whatever turned them into fur horrors, lol. The shake tasted grainy and like a Bit O Honey, if you've ever had one of those.

Originally Posted by Czevski

Orioles, red-breasted grosbeaks, monarchs and other butterflies, dragonflies, and all sorts of beautiful creatures are around and I see them on my walks. But I have few butterflies in my yard. And my oriole feeder is just in hope - until yesterday only house finches were seen there. I've seen hummingbirds only one also. Cardinals, finches, robins, doves, bluejays and other more common birds keep me entertained. And the squirrels, bunnies, and chipmunks!

We have had these 2 Red Admiral butterflies enjoying the sun on the side of our garage. Unusual, as there aren't many butterflies around.
Never seen a single squirrel here in 30 years! Which is odd because they plague bird feeders in some gardens.

After a gap, here are some of the other babies at the al fresco diner. This is a mother sparrow with one baby, who isn't very good at sitting comfortably on that bent branch! That's a very popular perching place & it's getting rubbed smooth, which is great because it's in full view from our "hide" inside the kitchen, with the camera ready.

Originally Posted by scifan57

Quite different from the bird we call a robin in North America.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Robin

It seems strange that the familiar robin here in the UK isn't the same one as in the US. Does that mean that "our" robin, which is used all over as a Christmas symbol here, isn't in the US?

Here are some baby (UK) robins being fed:
Plus something to cool things down after the hot weather we've been having here.