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Borrego Springs, CA

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

The battle continues

My sister, Pam, and B-I-L, Stan headed for home this morning around 9:30.  I said ‘so long’ to Stan last night, and Pam and George (fur kid) stopped by this morning before they pulled out.  So, I just chilled today and caught up on blog reading until…
62 Pioneer Campground, IN summer, 2011
arch enemy #1 showed up to shinny up the bird feeder pole.  Ack!  I hung out the window, screamed and hollered, and called him nasty names.  I’m afraid he’s getting used to my rantings though as it took him a while to leave the area. 

At Emma’s first outs, he was hanging on the front bird feeder and had emptied all the seeds.  She stood guard most of the day today outside, so he didn’t return there.  That’s when he headed for the feeder outside my window.  Instead of filling the front feeder with new seed, I decided to scoop up all the seeds on the ground under the feeder there; hulls and all to refill it.  Take that, you silly rodent!  I know he’ll probably be hanging there first thing tomorrow, but it’s kind of fun dealing with the challenger.  Smile
_MG_2485
Once the fox squirrel was on his way, the young titmice stopped by for a snack.  This young one has finally learned what to do with the seed in it’s beak.
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A female downy woodpecker also worked the trees outside my window.  With the lower humidity and temps only in the 70’s today, it was a great day for just kicking back.  It was a little respite in the ‘dog days of summer’.

My original plans for today included heading for South Dakota in the car to renew my driver’s license.  Those plans had to be cancelled, though, since I couldn’t find a kennel that would keep Emma over the weekend.  New plan is to leave next Monday and be back by Friday.  I’ll be able to stop in Rochester, MN, on the way back and visit my youngest son and his family with this latest plan.  So, I’ll be digging out the luggage bag in the next couple of days and preparing for a five day road trip.
MITZI
When Pam got home today, she sent me a picture of their Mitzi.  She also asked me to express her and Stan’s thanks and appreciation for all the thoughtful comments you all made on their recent loss.

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

22 comments:

  1. Well, I'm relieved to hear that your battle was with the pesky squirrel and not the electrical power in your park. You're going to skip town for a few days, huh? That'll teach that squirrel to choose his battles!

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  2. Whew! I'm glad it is the squirrel you're tussling with and not a power issue again! I LOVE the photo at the top. Seems like he/she should be wearing a silk robe getting ready to enter the ring. "I coulda been a contendah!" Kinda wish I was parked next to you to hear your . . . ahem . . . "conversations" with Mr. Bad Squirrel!

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  3. I can only imagine the names you called that pesky rodent...I have several I yell out when my feeders are invaded by not one squirrel but usually six or seven, or more! argh!!!

    Mitzi was one beautiful Corgi. I know she will be missed dearly.

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  4. Great picture of the squirrel. You take some fantastic photo's.

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  5. Oh, Mitzi was a beautiful girl. I know how hard it is. I wish them healing hearts, for sure. I've said it many times .... our "babies" should live exactly as long as we do. :')

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  6. BTW, a friend once cut (or had cut) some pieces of PVC, about 1.5" each, then threaded them over the horizontal arm of the bird feeder. The PVC pieces will "spin," keeping the squirrels from climbing out on that arm. I can't tell how the arm is configured on your feeder, but perhaps that will inspire you even if my idea doesn't work.

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  7. I always secretly loved those battles. Greater header picture! Would it be wrong to root for the challenger?

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  8. I have one word for you "VASELINE".... I was fighting the same battle & I greased my pole with vaseline and they can't climb up it... They just slide on down and do NOT get any seed... It works trust me!!!
    Have fun and watch them pole dance!
    Donna

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  9. Sure know your frustrations with the Squirrel problem. If they would just stay on the ground & eat all the spilled seed I wouldn't have any problem with that but it is the fact they get onto the feeders & scatter the seeds out all over the place. Seems no matter what I do, they outdo me. Yep, know your frustration well I do................

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  10. And so the battle continues. Who will come out on the other side as the winner? Who has the courage to hang tough? Who is the more clever? Continue reading to find out.

    Mitzi is a beautiful dog and I know she is going to be missed so very much.

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  11. Aw, But he's so cute! Great picture!

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  12. My son always refered to grey squirrels as 'tree rats' with tails. FYI.

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  13. So far, in blogland, the squirrels are way ahead of the humans as far as smarts go!!

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  14. Great header pic & wonderful pics -- as usual:)

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  15. the squirrel war will continue!..Mitzi will be missed I am sure!..what a lovely photo!!

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  16. Great new header photo. When the squirrels gather around their evening campfire and swap stories, I wonder what they say about the silly tricks humans use to try and defeat them. Wish I spoke "squirrel." I'm kinda sorry for you and Al and your squirrel wars but it sure is fun reading about how the squirrels just keep getting the seed.

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  17. Wire the pole with electric cord and that will stop them.In answer to your question. Yes the weather here is a little above normal, we usually stay in the lower 90's during July & August, anytime it is 100 or more it is a hot day and to have a week or two of it in a stretch is unusual. But it's better than snow and I can live with it, Donna said the other day how dark I am getting. Must be all the time at the Lake with Adam. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna.

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  18. Those squirrels are determined critters. They never give up. Good luck with the battle.

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  19. Squirrels are pretty inventive. Check out this feeder. This is an ad, if you get board with the description just go tho the last part and watch the squirrels go, its pretty funny.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEW9TG6Dcgg
    I think watching this feeder with a squirrel would be entertainment in itself.

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  20. In Benson, AZ, we just have a very few ground squirrels, and they don't bother with the feeders. Move to Benson! No, if you have bird feeders in Benson, you'll also get javelinas which are a problem. THey'll knock everything over, including a big plastic garbage can in which you try to store the bird seed

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  21. Yep, those squirrel wars can get right frustrating! I agree with Al, if they would just be content to take the ground seeds that would be nice but they have a way of scattering seeds everywhere. We had a squirrel destroy a seed cake this week!

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  22. So far, our garbage can lid on our flat feeder has thwarted our renegade squirrels...however, it looks like some jazzed up, crazy nut case simpletons live here...(hey, I think I just summed us up perfectly :-)

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