Watching over the visitors.

For the past week I've been keeping my eye on this poor girl that has begun visiting the feeder on a regular basis. She's terribly thin, but quite active and normal otherwise and eating up a storm out there. So normal in fact, that she's not even close to catch-able. Sure I could put a trap out there, but with 10 or more squirrels also out there with her, what are the chances of actually getting the right squirrel? Not with my luck!

What we are seeing here is what always happens in the wild over the winters....only we don't usually get to witness it. She was probably holed up for a long time either due to an injury or the weather......and survived to come out on the other side half starved, but alive. (I'm going with injury since of all the critters out there, these guys have not missed many visits to the feeder despite the weather!)

She has probably been holed up with other squirrels as well or she would have frozen to death by now. She is not chased off or harassed by the other squirrels so she's got some friends/family out there at the very least!

Here is one of our normal little fatties out there compared to our skinny little girl....the difference is striking, poor little thing. I'll be keeping an eye on her for now. She's quick, alert and very active, and since she is eating great now, I'll make sure she continues to do so!

A couple of the reds are also hanging out there with the gang. I'm happy to see reds and grays are all tolerating each other well and no fighting or chasing each other off....well except for the 2 reds that is! They are constantly chasing each other off! I'm happy to see my little shed dweller is spending some time outside in the fresh air though.