Mother's Day squirrels

I went over to the rose garden to look for Lady Squirrel on Mother's Day. There she was, enjoying having her roses back, after the long winter.

A squirrel runs over to greet me.

Got something for me today?

I now take to cart with me to rest on. I haven't been out there for a while because I've been laid up with a bad leg, after lifting a big old CRT monitor that was way too heavy for me.  I think the mothers are looking a bit bedraggled. There are several mothers around here now, including this little one who obviously has already given birth.

My heart breaks for her.  She sits right by me up on the flagpole base where I can see her nipples and some red swollen areas.

Ah...now I can relax a little...

Meanwhile Lady Squirrel snuggles beneath the cart or runs over to enjoy her meal in the rose garden.

 


The mothers keep their distance and do not interfere with each other, which is a bit unusual, but after all it is Mother's Day!

One peanut butter smoothie please

Squirrel tucks into his favourite treat - but only after spending hours learning how to use a straw
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2113542/Squirrel-tucks-peanut-butter-smoothie.html#ixzz1uOtal3Yd

Lilac Time

As I arrive at Peter Cooper Village I immediately spot a squirrel. Surprise, surprise.

Then I notice all the lilacs.


Lady Squirrel greets me at the gates.


The smell of  lilacs is quite overpowering.

And the lilacs are lovely to look at!

May is full light wind of lilac
Amy Lowell

Duck Scoop

We haven't talked duck here in almost a year, so I guess it's time for an update - and nature calls. The water birds have been making their appearance again on the Cloud Nine float. They seem to gravitate to that float. It gives them a  gentle rocking ride when the waves come in, which they apparently enjoy. Last year TNYS fans will recall that we had a mother duck with a large brood of  ducklings: http://thenewyorksquirrel.blogspot.com/2011/07/duck-tales.html

April 23 - Lone Duckling
This year we see a mother duck with only one duckling. They look lonely!

April 30 Two Female Ducks

Today we see no sign of ducklings. The females look like they could be hiding ducklings underneath, but none emerge. They rock back and forth, enjoying the ride and preening themselves.

May 5 - Male and Female Mallards
Today we see a female with a gorgeously colored male. And the female shows her pretty blue wing. Could that be a mating move?

What's wrong with Spunky's ear?

Spunky comes right down when I call her.

I admire her new coat of fur.

it's soft and silky and the awful spots have disappeared
(although there's a white speck on her nose now).

You can see new black fur coming in --beautiful!

But then I notice something on and below her ear.

A closer look shows those awful sores.

Oh dear, what can the matter be with Spunky's ear?
I'm afraid the infection in Spunky is systemic and never really goes away, showing up in different places, and this seems to happen after a period of neglect. So much for those who tell me not to feed the squirrels! It's not that I've been deliberately neglecting her, but the last few times I've been there, she was not around.  I'd like to know what this infection is, and if there's a cure for it. She's been much better since we took her to the vet, where she got a 6-day course of antibiotics and healed up beautifully. Not sure how it works, but it must be on time-release. Maybe she needs another one. But I'll see what I can do by providing some good nutrition.

Meanwhile Squiggy, Son of Spunky, is doing just fine.

Hi: I'm Squiggy.

Letting it all hang out.

Can I help you with something?
I'm kinda busy right now.

You wouldn't happen to have another nut, would you?

Little Squirt is doing just fine too.
Squirt is Squiggy's smaller sibling - wow, is that sibilant! He's not only smaller, but shyer. He doesn't play tricks like Squiggy does - like running up your leg or jumping into your bag to grab a peanut -- or sitting up on the bench next to you to eat, like his mother and brother do, but he's still sweet and charming, as these photos show. I'm glad to see that he's healthy, and must be getting enough to eat in spite of his reticence. 

I'm the little Squirt

have something for me?

life's a tree

coming down...wheee!

April 30 Update
When I went back the next day to feed the ailing Spunky, I received a big surprise (squirrels are full of surprises): So-called Spunky wasn't Spunky at all! We've discussed this case of double identity before: http://thenewyorksquirrel.blogspot.com/2012/03/tale-of-two-spunkys.html

When Spunky isn't there I find it impossible to tell the difference between her and the other squirrel. But when they're both there together, I can immediately tell the difference (mostly due to Spunky's expressions and personality). I really should give this other squirrel a name, so let's call her Spanky. She already answers to Spunky, so won't even notice the slight difference. She could be Spunky's identical twin sister. I did think it was a bit odd yesterday that Spunky had descended from Spanky's tree when I called her. I neglected to mention that. Now I know why... it was Spanky! Anyway, Spanky looked a little bit better today, and Spunky looked just fine! Of course, she's still nursing, so that's the reason for the pink spot.

The real Spunky

Shrooms!

Mushrooms busting out all over!

hmmm...

to eat or not to eat... that is the question.

what are they? they might be fairy ring mushrooms.

Fairy Rings?

might be a ring

Amazing!

someone took a bite out of this one...

the underside has gills

a few days later: still going strong