Keeping an eye on the prize

[rtbaum]

[Bobobird]

I like the soft treatment.

[rtbaum]

Soft treatment care of Mother Nature, We had just received 11" of snow. Uffda!!

[NorthernFocus]

Shot from an interesting perspective. Really tells the story. Selectively enhancing the contrast on the squirrel and feeder would focus attention even more. Nice idea for a shot.

[IzzieK]

This squirrel is a tease...can you see his smile? I love it!

[Shadowman]

Nice.

[Downrigger]

Comes together very nicely - endears the squirrel.

[John 2]

Nice story telling and composition Randy.

[rtbaum]

This is just part of the story it seems. If the gods smile upon me, I will continue the saga



I know....this is a lousy image, but it will serve as the beginning. This is my bird feeding station in the backyard, the source of my winter bird shots. For 2 years, it was pretty much free of squirrel predation, The squirrel guard on the pole prevented access to the seed. This winter has seen in excess of 2 feet of snow, allowing the squirrels free rein. They have way too much access, costing me an arm and leg. Something had to be done.

To be continued.................

[rtbaum]

I went to local farm supply and invested in two fine squirrel proof feeders, peace and harmony was restored to my backyard realm



Or was it?................

[IzzieK]

Randy...just for a while... But it is nice to see co-existence thriving around you...now you can train your second camera at your critters for more beautiful shots...

[Wavelength]

Lovely

[rtbaum]

Reassessing the objective

I can almost see the wheels turning in the rodent brain



Squirrel 1, Randy 0

Drats!!!! The little bugger climbs the pole, uses one squirrel proof feeder to access the other.....I have successfully created a $100 squirrel Pez dispenser.

[bnnrcn]

Very cute

[rtbaum]

A readjustment of strategy



Small Bird feeder is impregnable to Bushy tailed Rats


Suet Feeder was covered with 1/4" hardware cloth


Droll Yankee feeder was moved and hung from the stub off a main limb of tree at a favored distance and position for shooting from my favored office window


It has been fun to watch the squirrels try to defeat my defenses, after about a week the squirrels have given up. The attempts at the Droll Yankee have been most entertaining as the varmints have to slide down a thin cable, down the slick plastic feeder, and attempt balance on all four unstable perches to obtain any seed. All but one attempt has resulted in the buggers falling into a deep snow bank beneath . The one successful attempt............I figure he deserved it!!