Squirrel Proof

I must admit, I have to laugh whenever I see a bird feeder that is advertised as squirrel-proof.  I have come to the conclusion that that particular item just does not exist.  We tried putting one of those large metal cone shaped squirrel proofers on the pole from which some of our bird feeders hang.  The squirrels just climbed the closest tree and jumped onto the feeders.

I caught the funniest scene on one of our bird feeders this weekend.  This little guy was hanging on for dear life...

by his toes....yes literally by his toes....  

He stayed there for several minutes, until his belly was full of tasty sunflower seeds.  Then he pulled himself back up onto the roof,  jumped back down to the ground and scampered away.

Although some see squirrels as  pests, we enjoy their antics almost as much as the birds.  So, we buy extra bird seed and feed the squirrels as well.  Squirrels play an important part around the farm.   If they are readily available, they serve as food for the owls and hawks, thus diminishing the predators' need for our chickens.  Squirrels build large nests high in the trees, which then become homes for owls and other birds.

The world is a perfect place without human intervention.  Each animal has its purpose...a sacredness to each tiny life.  Our job on this planet is to act as stewards and to care for the land.  We are a territorial species and like to think that we "own" the land.  But, the land belongs to the critters....it was theirs long before we moved in!  Perhaps the "pests" in this whole picture are us.