tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49815040594963942942011-07-30T13:48:59.993-07:00Wildlife is everywhere. Documenting the critters in my yard near San Francisco.Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.comBlogger371100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-30367730887958799432009-07-14T15:51:00.001-07:002009-07-14T15:55:06.002-07:00

var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));Poor squirrel! But oh so funny.Embedded video from CNN Video

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-68084489612137318232009-07-14T15:12:00.000-07:002009-07-14T15:22:43.137-07:00

Some of you might remember my First Day post where I asked whether the feeding behavior was that of parent to fledgling or mating behavior that I read about online.Pamela Llewellyn of the Golden Gate Audubon Society took a look at the post and had this to say.You have multiple photos of fledgling chickadees. These individuals can be identified by their bright yellow "gape" - you can look up that

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-23184711862719506872009-07-09T07:54:00.000-07:002009-07-09T10:39:22.353-07:00

I went on my first bird walk with the Golden Gate Audubon Society last week. Pamela Lewellyn led us through some of the restricted access breeding areas at the Hayward Regional Shoreline. She was decked out with her Leica spotting scope on a Gitzo tripod. Mmmm... gear. Not exactly my flavor, but it's still gear. It was cool getting to go beyond the locked gates. There were quite a few birds

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-9715712984620126912009-07-07T13:55:00.000-07:002009-07-07T15:23:55.577-07:00

var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));We had some baby ducks and their parents visit our pool for a little swimming lesson.try {var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-6866453-1");pageTracker._trackPageview();} catch(err)

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-71330916884780126362009-06-30T07:55:00.000-07:002009-06-30T08:40:55.597-07:00

var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));This is an oldie but a goodie. I didn't know it was archived on Hulu, but Piffle posted it on his blog.try {var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-6866453-1");pageTracker._

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-49635349848188923892009-06-29T09:59:00.000-07:002009-06-29T10:36:34.917-07:00

Bookstores are my crack houses. I can't resist entering, buying a cup of coffee and browsing books. I just can't. The same is true of online bookstores. Not quite as fun, but engrossing nonetheless. Coffee's not quite as good, but hey, I get to wear my pajamas. Anyway, I'm browsing Amazon for bird-related and road trip-related items, when I run across two new Sibley books that will be

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-34170522510628440652009-06-22T15:07:00.000-07:002009-06-24T09:37:39.146-07:00

var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));I think I'm going to start my next five posts with, "Moving is tougher and longer than I remember." :) Unbelievably, my husband wanted to move us in himself, maybe with a little

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-84004903524375486362009-06-22T09:49:00.000-07:002009-06-22T14:15:19.229-07:00

var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));Getting settled into a new place took much longer than I expected, but it's finally starting to come together. I miss my squirrels, but I saw them a few times before we were

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-28234308946633129112009-06-16T19:26:00.000-07:002009-06-16T19:33:27.209-07:00

A cute, goofy little boy in the UK flushed his 1 week old Cocker Spaniel down the toilet while trying to give him a bath in the bowl.try {var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-6866453-1");pageTracker._trackPageview();} catch(err) {}Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the EconomyThere's more of the little boy in this video, and you can hear the poor little puppy

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-71883403783895267092009-06-04T23:36:00.000-07:002009-06-04T23:51:47.689-07:00

I've been in the middle of what The Comic Book Guy from The Simpson's would deem, "Longest Move Ever."  I'll miss the squirrels, but I still have some of their stories to tell.In the mean time, this is a little acrobatic Black Phoebe that's usually flitting around snatching bugs in my yard. Be back soon.var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-39861194658929930202009-05-17T16:33:00.000-07:002009-05-19T11:07:44.372-07:00

Sorry for my long absence.  There are a lot of squirrel happenings going on.We have had a new, small squirrel visiting us for a few weeks now.  We didn't know what to call him.  He acted a lot like Scamp.  The first time he came by, he walked right up to me and jumped on my leg, so I just started calling him New Scamp.  Due to my lack of ingenuity and originality in naming our squirrels, my

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-28564944366635150492009-05-01T12:02:00.000-07:002009-05-01T16:29:23.344-07:00

Around 9 PM last night, Hubby and I were sitting in our living room, having a quiet conversation when we heard a loud, "Bang!  Bang!"  Something had fallen, or landed very hard, on our roof and then our garbage cans.try {var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-6866453-1");pageTracker._trackPageview();} catch(err) {}We looked at eachother quizzically, and he said, "Raccoon?"I said, "Maybe, but

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-18781472403929926342009-04-29T09:45:00.000-07:002009-04-29T09:46:57.254-07:00

Something cute today to lift the spirits.try {var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-6866453-1");pageTracker._trackPageview();} catch(err) {}

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-54815774727992362652009-04-24T23:56:00.000-07:002009-04-27T16:04:10.238-07:00

Friday started off like any other squirrel day.  I worked during the day, but I was planning on blogging about Preggers and her family playing in our Oak tree.  She also beat up Norman the Doorman, aka Fatty, despite the injury to her right front paw.She had come by the porch midweek, and she was particularly calm.  She walked right up to me, took a peanut and, instead of turning her back to me,

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-26218945492753882022009-04-23T14:36:00.000-07:002009-04-23T15:54:07.984-07:00

I found Preggers' nest by accident.  I was sitting in the backyard watching the woodpeckers, nuthatches and hummingbirds.  There were a few squirrel chases hubby and I were following when I thought I saw a couple of squirrels on our roof.  It turned out there were 3 squirrels!try {var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-6866453-1");pageTracker._trackPageview();} catch(err) {}My thoughts

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-26414725616688526332009-04-22T05:56:00.000-07:002009-04-22T05:56:00.880-07:00

var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));I haven't seen Scamp in a while, so I thought I'd post a picture of him when we first met him.  Here he is taking a break from foraging and playing.try {var pageTracker = _gat._

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-85223257806337601542009-04-20T10:49:00.000-07:002009-04-20T15:04:11.377-07:00

Preggers has been limping around, favoring her front right paw.  She doesn't put any weight on it, and we're not sure what happened.  If she's not better by Friday, we're thinking about trapping her and taking her to a vet.  Obviously, there are several problems with this "solution" outside capturing her.try {var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-6866453-1");pageTracker._trackPageview();} catch(

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-81658930980295142602009-03-28T08:49:00.000-07:002009-03-28T08:49:03.267-07:00

var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));GrannyJ linked to this cute video.  Fattest squirrel I think I've ever seen.  :)try {var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-6866453-1");pageTracker._trackPageview();} catch(err) {}

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-60060374718441151292009-03-27T12:29:00.000-07:002009-03-27T12:37:08.436-07:00

var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));It's been busy here in California, but I feel like a hamster on a wheel to nowhere.  On the bright side, the weather's been absolutely STUNNING!  The next 7 days are supposed to be

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-4359441973424491872009-03-03T14:55:00.000-08:002009-03-03T16:17:53.656-08:00

var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));It's been raining buckets, and we've had thunder, which is unusual for this area.  Scares the crap out of the squirrels, too!  Hand feeding them has been traumatic.try {var

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-8316487184809236302009-02-27T12:44:00.000-08:002009-02-27T12:53:43.132-08:00

var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));Sorry for the lack of posts this week.  We got a couple of nibblers willing to eat near eachother a few days ago.Sometimes we get four or five squirrels at a time sitting in the

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-52164304267578167902009-02-19T09:00:00.000-08:002009-02-19T09:00:02.810-08:00

var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));As I mentioned in a previous post, we suspected that Preggers might be pregnant again because of her mood.  She had been irritable, aggressive and overly protective of the peanut

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-15362139543508132872009-02-18T13:38:00.000-08:002009-02-18T13:47:38.089-08:00

var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));A storm has been coming through the San Francisco area, but it's been really strange.  It will rain cats and dogs, then be sunny.  Then we'll have another downpour followed by sun.  

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-91145243823903329722009-02-10T10:50:00.000-08:002009-02-10T11:45:09.208-08:00

var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));The flu knocked me out for a few weeks, but just in time for Valentine's week, it's mating season! Actually, this was taken shortly before the New Year.The female squirrel was way

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-22189752426780319282009-01-16T14:27:00.000-08:002009-01-16T14:41:07.816-08:00

I forgot to add a photo of this ornery kitty. It likes to stalk and hunt our squirrels. The squirrels don't seem too concerned about the cat, but they are awfully cavalier sometimes and let the cat get really close. Usually, they stare at it when it's near them as if to say, "What do you think you're doing? You're not going to catch me." It's hilarious when they finally jump onto a tree and

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-49417032145470011482009-01-15T12:12:00.000-08:002009-01-15T12:25:14.975-08:00

Walking in to the back room, I noticed a hummingbird fluttering right in front of the window. Of course, I was without camera, but when I got back with the camera, I noticed a shape in the reflection of my shed's window that looked like a raccoon. Then I saw it climbing up my pine tree... and he noticed me, too.It hesitated climbing up the tree initially because a squirrel, Preggers, was

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-59802601480419111042009-01-09T12:26:00.000-08:002009-01-09T12:27:52.417-08:00

Okay.  So it appears I got the wrong embed code for the second Twiggy, the water skiing squirrel, video, but that weatherman is too funny to pull down!  Here's the correct vid.

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-72298501073041553202009-01-08T22:43:00.000-08:002009-01-08T23:50:25.558-08:00

If only I could get Preggers to do this. Hmmm... Nah. I think she likes being wild.Twiggy's so cute when she tries to get out of that little outfit. Clothes on animals. I don't get it.Twiggy goes for a swim in this one. She is CUTE!

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-90581515053530570562009-01-07T09:00:00.000-08:002009-01-07T09:00:00.561-08:00

California Towhee

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-66825516271476888342009-01-06T09:00:00.000-08:002009-01-06T09:00:00.612-08:00

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-28694007208371320642009-01-05T12:39:00.000-08:002009-01-05T13:08:32.823-08:00

These cute guys stopped by around midnight for a little snack.  We usually hear them around our garbage cans and rooting around at the base of our 100 year old Oak tree for acorns, but they rarely come up on the porch.  Sorry about the poor quality, but there was only one small flourescent bulb lighting the entire scene.Eating squirrel food.They have a lot more trouble with peanuts than squirrels

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-78586592276472304382009-01-04T10:32:00.000-08:002009-01-04T10:37:36.557-08:00

Goodbye 2008A Black Phoebe flies away.Perched Black PhoebeFrom their head to the tip of their tails, Black Phoebes are approximately 6.75 inches (17cm) long and weigh less than an ounce, approximately 19g.

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-61663712676206951162009-01-01T12:22:00.000-08:002009-01-04T10:12:49.055-08:00

Anyone home?I think that's the magic handle...Maybe if I look a little harder they'll see me.Paw and nose marks left on the windows from squirrels looking inside.Happy New Year!

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-7623800587005569532008-12-25T11:51:00.000-08:002008-12-26T10:36:46.780-08:00

A female Downy Woodpecker...doing what woodpeckers do.Other birds seen in the yard:American GoldfinchAmerican CrowAmerican RobinBlack PhoebeChestnut Backed ChickadeeHermit ThrushScrub JayCalifornia TowheeSome of these birds are incredibly small and incredibly skittish, like the Chestnut Backed Chickadee and Hermit Thrush. I'll post photos when I get some decent ones.

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-53039571858105257872008-12-25T00:53:00.000-08:002009-01-10T10:13:04.338-08:00

A squirrel shakes off the rain during a downpour.Scamp (formerly "The Brave One") grabbing some nuts. A squirrel's still gotta eat!

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-9199597198189154222008-11-04T20:25:00.001-08:002008-12-26T10:35:40.486-08:00

We've been watching the squirrels in our backyard for a few months.  We have a lot of trees and thought they were just funny.  Then we started feeding them and naming them.  It appears that there are several groups of squirrels that live in the trees in our yard.  Other squirrels come by now and again from neighboring yards, but these are the folks that seem to "own" our yard.This is

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4981504059496394294.post-81245698832686212532008-11-04T09:48:00.000-08:002008-12-26T10:35:06.325-08:00

Our inaugural post happens to be Election Day 2008.  Get out and vote if you haven't already.  All I have to say is, "Thank goodness for absentee ballots!"  :)Anyway, this blog is all about goofy tree animals, like birds and squirrels... but especially squirrels.Hope you like them as much as I do!  I'll be back in a bit.

Renehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947857032497037236noreply@blogger.com0