Mar 10 2023 - Squirrels at Play

 

I can imagine that the subject of play in animals is controversial among biologists and ethologists.  How dare animals have fun in adulthood.  Humans have way less fun as we become adults.  Therefore given we are at the top of the life chain, especially of intelligence, it makes sense that this is an issue - squirrels should not be playing.  Especially now in early spring out front in the garden. Scientifically in the past, play in adult animals was considered a functionless behaviour unworthy of study. “Behavioural fat” as Dietland Müller-Schwarze and colleagues described it in their study on play behaviour in deer fawns...the old mantra that animals never play for the sake of it, that there’s always an underlying biological imperative at work, is increasingly difficult to reconcile the more we observe other species, including squirrels." They delve into possible reasons HERE with video footage. One reason given is a parasite that causes itching (yuk!) - so explains the jumping and wiggling. Most of these articles are anywhere from 5 to 10 years old.  I recently heard a CBC interview where play was clearly observed in various animals and now being acknowledged. What about how World Guinness Records views squirrels? Here's a non-Guinness record: it could only be from the US -  Mountain Musings: "Garth T. McGillicuddy and Henry A. (Bubba) Jablonski were deer hunting on Maryland's Eastern Shore on Bubba's farm last Thursday when they were attacked by "the biggest dang squirrel I ever seen in my life" according to Mr. McGillicuddy. The animal has been identified by a biologist from the MD Department of Natural Resources as a Delmarva Colossus Squirrel. These large tree dwellers had not been seen in over a hundred years and were presumed to be extinct. The biologist also stated that the hunters were lucky to be carrying deer rifles as these squirrels had been known to attack humans and carry off dogs and small children. As this is the only known specimen of the Delmarva Colossus Squirrel, it is likely that the world record trophy will never be broken. When asked what he planned to do with the animal, Mr. Jablonski replied "That baby's going on the wall. I don't know of nobody who's got a giant squirrel on the wall." He further stated that he might be willing to loan it to the Bass Pro Shops or Cabelas outdoor stores for a touring show "if they throw in a bass boat." Remembering Squirrel House Garden, now known as Martin House.   Read more daily posts here: marilyncornwellblogspot.com Purchase works here: Fine Art America- marilyncornwellart.com Redbubble - marilyncornwellart.ca

St. Catharines Garden Tour July 2013

It was a privilege to photograph the gardens on the St. Catharines Garden Tour.  What a great horticultural society - many members actively involved in gardens and in their community.  

I had a surprise as a result of this tour.  My brother's Lilycrest Gardens hybridizing field is on Fifth Street, in St. Catharines Ontario.  It is in the western part of the city and near the QEW.  One of the gardens on the tour is located on the same street - just south of his field.  It's a house I've admired for its yellow Victorian gingerbread trim.  This year I was able to see behind the hedges and experience a large 17 acre garden with historical buildings and botanical plantings in a traditional and elegant design.

First, a quick peek at what was in the Lilycrest Gardens field a little more than a week ago - it was the delicate and beautiful Lilium Pardalinum. 

And just down the street of this rural road with nursery growing fields, is the beautiful Squirrel House.