In the Spotlight

tags: NYC, New York City, Bob Levy, image of the day

The photographer writes;

The sunlight fortuitously fell on this Gray Squirrel as it chomped through a peanut shell on a fair winter's day. I confess I did not give that peanut to the squirrel nor have I given them to any other squirrels. Oh, there was a time when I might have. When I started birding it was not unusual for me to give them an occasional snack but that all changed when these animal got a little too bold. Bird-watching is not typically known as a fear inducing activity but three unexpected close encounters of the squirrel kind convinced me otherwise. To say I was surprised to suddenly find a Gray Squirrel holding on to my thigh is an understatement. That's where I found one as I was gazing through my binoculars at a Red-bellied Woodpecker. I had feed a few of these animals in a particular place and apparently at least one had determined that I would not object for he or she to climb up to the source of the largesse stored in my cargo pants pocket. The second occasion this occurred I was just as unprepared as the first and the little critter really scared me. It was after the third such episode with the same group that I decided the only way to discourage them was to stop offering them food. That was years ago. I thought that was behind me but last summer another Central Park Gray Squirrel gave me a reason to renew my distrust of the species. As I stood looking off in the distance beside a low fence I did not notice a squirrel climbing up towards me. A friend did and she called, "Look out!" and she pointed to the fence. I looked down to find a squirrel literally hanging with both front paws from my binoculars. Ok I'm not suggesting I was ever in any sort of danger but I continue to try to be aware of where the squirrels are when I'm birding. I prefer to do without these infrequent furry frights if I can help it.

Here is a late-breaking addition to this story. This week while I photographing Tufted Titmice as they took peanuts from my open palm I felt something gently touch the monopod supporting my camera. The sensation quickly became far too strong to have been made by a titmouse. Jerking my head down to see what could possibly be causing this I came eye to eye with a Gray Squirrel climbing up the monopod. Though it's made of aluminum and slippery the squirrel had figured out how it could grab onto the latches that lock the three portions of the monopod in place. The squirrel had already made it to the second latch when I realized it was there. My surprise immediately morphed into laughter that frightened the squirrel into a full retreat. Hey, my laugh isn't that scary. Or is it?