And I thought Hummers were territorial ...

Well, I think it's a toss up! I have observed how much the hummers guard their food source, but the squirrels are just as bad! Here are 3 parts to a video I took of the squirrels last weekend eating breakfast. If you don't like squirrels, but still want to see what the video looks like, just view the Squirrel Fun 3. It's the funniest and there is no crazy music with it! LOL!

And for all of you squirrel lovers (myself included), enjoy all 3 videos!

Squirrel Fun Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVBJbK_9ACc
Squirrel Fun Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPUeLJwq7EU
Squirrel Fun Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hstiDUh-t9I

Be sure to enlarge the video to full screen so that you can see the squirrels closer up! They ARE a HOOT!!!



This message was edited Feb 5, 2008 7:44 PM

It's great fun!!! Thanks Becky, wonderful shots!!!

They are so comical! I like the little stubby-tailed one.
Do you have problems with the squirrels digging up your plants/seedings/bulbs? Do you think feeding would help curb them from foraging in the garden? When I come home and find a squirrel hole next to my new tropical bulbs, I want to pick up a slingshot!!! Haven't yet though. Sigh.
Cathy

Cathy - YES! I did! But after a year of feeding them seeds, they seem more interested in my feeding dishes now. Though ocassionally I do find an area that they were digging in. A trick I learned ... sprinkle black ground pepper around your garden beds. They hate pepper. It makes them sneeze and irritates their nose. ;-) It works to keep them from digging plants up! Though I can't say the same for some of the other night critters like possums, raccoons, etc. Now that is where the challenge lies!

Brilliant! Thanks Becky, I will try the pepper- I bought a pound of bulk black pepper (what was I thinking), so I have plenty to spare!

You have to re-apply the pepper every 3 or more weeks. Between watering, wind, and sun ... the pepper doesn't last. But it's relatively easy to re-apply! Good luck! :-)

Great little movies Becky LOL ! Thanks!
The tail-less one was getting pretty bold.. What did he have to loose? too late for the tail :-.. All that's left is his dignity, and a nub!!

Then one of the others had to go and spill the whole tray, I could tell he was saying, "rats!!!"

How did you edit them for YouTube? what program did you use?

Glad y'all got a kick out of my little videos.

Yay, that stubby tailed squirrel is the cutest! :-)

Deb - I used an older version of Roxio Videowave Movie Creator. And I use Nova's Scrapbook Factory Deluxe to make the title and ending pages.

I watch, photograph our squirrels too! they almost always can give me a giggle or two! Like your one with the nubby!

This message was edited Feb 7, 2008 11:01 PM

Thanks nanny! They are quite comical to watch! I have 2 squirrel nests up in my backyard Oak tree. During the breeding season, the mom squirrels squeak at me when I am working in the garden beds near the tree. LOL! So protective, too!

This message was edited Feb 7, 2008 8:49 PM

Oh,,, so cute, my DH feeds his squirrels (birds) every day. We have one of those feeders that if they get on it, they get a ride. Several have learned that if they get a ride, it will give them food. I need to get pictures.
Thanks for sharing,
Elaine

I just made a new video. Y'all saw my squirrels under the bird feeder. This video is of the birds above in the Flat bottom open hanging feeder. Another amusing video. Are pigeons and doves the same bird or different. I am assuming the birds in the video are pigeons. Correct?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9teqGdw8z4

Enjoy!



This message was edited Feb 18, 2008 1:46 PM

Hi Becky ,Their White-winged Doves.
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/White-winged_Dove.html

Doves and Pigeons are different birds but in the same family. I have to take down my platform feeder every now and then due to Doves parking there.

If you ever need a bird identified we have a Identify This Bird thread in the
Bird Watching forum.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/809038/

Nice video. :-)

This message was edited Feb 10, 2008 12:01 AM

This message was edited Feb 10, 2008 2:30 AM

This message was edited Feb 10, 2008 2:33 AM

Those squirrels are fat and sassy. Two ground feeders for four squirrels. LOL! no wonder they are scrappy.

Thanks, Pelle! I guess I need to edit the title card on the video to say White-winged Doves instead of pigeons! LOL!

That's cool that the Bird Forum has a thread for IDing birds! I earmarked that thread! I may have more birds I need to ID in the future. Thank you!

Deborah - I put quite a bit of seed on the ground plates for the squirrels. Believe me, none of them go hungry. They just have to wait their turn at the plates! I actually have 5-6 squirrels at once. In the video there were 5 that morning. Everyone (squirrels and birds) come for breakfast, then some come around 12-1 pm and then once more before dark. I guess they get 3 square meals a day. I don't see the doves as much in the afternoons. I don't know if they fill their bellies with food in the morning and don't need anything later. But they are all piggies!

Great vid Becky!! And while your changing the names the first ones are Common Grackles. http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Common_Grackle_dtl.html
Crows
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/American_Crow.html
wouldn't even try to land on the small hanger.. They're pretty big
* Size: 40-53 cm (16-21 in)
* Wingspan: 85-100 cm (33-39 in)
* Weight: 316-620 g (11.15-21.89 ounces)

(Doves=Pigeons .. Common Pigeons are also called Rock Doves)

I get White-winged Doves here too. My doves try jumping on the tray occasionally, and get off balanced, and if one is real bored it might sit and swing a few minutes.. (That's halarious!!) I think they are just curious about what's up in there. I put fruit and mealies up on the hanger now, sometimes a little finch mix.
I usually throw a lot of no-mess seed on the ground for the Doves. They like to eat off the ground most of all because they are so big. If you have any bare spots anywhere you can spread the no mix for them there. You have quite a flock of them!! Beautiful!!

I love your videos!

Deb - Oh my! Another name goof! I will definitely redo the video title pages and reload to YouTube! I want it to be correct! :-) Thanks for correcting me on the Common Grackles!

I have seed on the ground and in the squirrel plates. I think the squirrels intimidate the doves too much, so they all pile on the hanging feeder. LOL! I laugh when I see them landing and walking across the backs of the other doves to get down into the feeder! They are a hoot! And they do swing and hang on and eat ... all at the same time! It's just too funny! My lone post feeder area looks like a school of hungry sharks every morning with all the birds and squirrels! And noisy! Oh my! They are out there chirping, chattering, and scolding each other! But it all ceases within an hour after the feeding frenzy. And the rest of the day it is sporatic visits. I can't imagine a garden without birds and squirrels! I just love it! It gets me off to a good positive start each day to walk out back and then watch all the action before I go off to work. :-) :-) :-)

Yes they are very entertaining to say the least!!

That's better.. Hey this might work after all, LOL!

I finally got the changed title pages uploaded to YouTube and came back here to change the link.

Deb - I just now saw your great photos of the White-winged Doves! You take such good photos of EVERYTHING! Even the birdies! Those doves are pretty cute!!! :-)