26 Comments
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Lois Thomson Bowersock's avatar

Fabulous photos, Neil. You have such an incredible talent.

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks Lois. I was really fortunate with the timing on these images...and the patience of the squirrel. The peanut tax was paid too. ;)

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Lois Thomson Bowersock's avatar

It’s really amazing that the squirrel was so trusting with you. I’m happy you paid the tax. He/she is very beautiful!

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Perry J. Greenbaum 🇨🇦 🦜's avatar

This tax is for a worthy cause; I have seen a couple of squirrels here who have white tipped tails. They get their daily amount of nuts and scamper off happily. I just love how they do that.

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Neil Barker's avatar

Definitely a tax for a worthy cause, Perry. It's interesting to see the squirrels scamper off. Sometimes I'll hear a 'crunch' sound as they bite into the shell. Sort of a meal on the go.

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Peter J. Ryan Sabom Nim's avatar

Delight delight delight. She gives you beauty, you pay her in peanuts. There will always be bodhisattvas in this world, until we all wake up to all the beauty!

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Neil Barker's avatar

An excellent observation Peter and so true.

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Pamela Leavey's avatar

Oh, how cute she is! I'm not sure if I have mentioned this before but the grey squirrels up your way are so much darker in color then they are here.

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Neil Barker's avatar

So true about the cuteness factor, Pamela! It's interesting the colour variations as well. Several years ago, I lived down near Niagara Falls close to the border and I rarely saw the darker colours either.

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Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

Wonderful article, Neil. The coat pattern seems so unusual compared to the same species here. Most worthy of the peanut tax!

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks Heidi and when I first saw this squirrel I froze and blinked. I almost thought it was a striped skunk at first. Haha. Definitely worth the peanut tax!

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Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

The photos show the squirrel to be quite interested in observing you!

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Emma Liles's avatar

The peanut tax always makes me smile and laugh.

That squirrel is so unique!

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks Emma and this squirrel made me smile when they hopped down from the stump. A tax well with it!

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James Freitas's avatar

Beautiful images and excellent article, Neil!I’ve never seen a squirrel with a tail like that, your photos help a ton. Seeing seeds and nuts as a tax to pay to Nature is such a refreshing and fruitful way of looking at it. Your perspective is a welcome change of pace.

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks James and much appreciated! This squirrel was a first for me as well! I agree on the peanut tax. :)

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Lola Renda's avatar

I would gladly pay taxes for wildlife causes.

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Neil Barker's avatar

Agreed Lola - so would I.

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janoskar.hansen@gmail.com's avatar

in my childhood there were many squirrels for a while they nearly dies out but they are back

and sort of fawn colored

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Neil Barker's avatar

That's great to hear the squirrels in your area have returned.

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Jeanne Malmgren's avatar

So interesting! I agree with Pamela; I've never seen ones so dark. Also ... do you know about the white squirrels of Brevard, NC?

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Neil Barker's avatar

Hi Jeanne- no, I haven't heard of the white squirrels of Brevard, NC but now I am intrigued!

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Jeanne Malmgren's avatar

They are amazing -- and of course, sooo cute. They're not albinos. They have dark eyes and are said to be a variant of the common grey. Here's an interesting article: https://whitesquirrelinstitute.org/white-squirrel-research-institute/what-is-a-white-squirrel

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Neil Barker's avatar

Very interesting article, Jeanne. I will keep an eye out for this one again on my hikes and others that have these unique markings.

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Lois Thomson Bowersock's avatar

I enjoy your photography so much, Neil. Love your Eastern Grey Squirrel photos.

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Neil Barker's avatar

Thanks, Lois and very much appreciated!

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