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Post by BuckSkin on Nov 1, 2021 12:07:02 GMT
Ol' Notch Ear This Eastern Grey Squirrel is at the base of the Walnut tree that is across the driveway from the porch. He appears to have had a rough life. His left ear is split and I am sure there is a story behind that. Also, his right arm appears to be somewhat crippled and disfigured. Back before I realized what a close kinship they share with a common Rat, I have peeled the hide off many a Squirrel and I have never seen this before; I don't think it is normal; his elbow joint and muscles are exposed and not covered with fur. I believe this dude has had a near-death run in with one of these vagrant cats that the old cat lady neighbor abandoned when she left out for bigger and better things. I took these photos while standing in the doorway. Thursday_21-October-2021   |
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Post by BuckSkin on Nov 1, 2021 12:14:20 GMT
I forgot to add the closeup.  |
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Post by cats4jan on Nov 1, 2021 12:50:12 GMT
You're right - he does look a little rough around the edges. Poor guy. I know they are rodents, but I still kinda like them. Just don't look at that face too closely. He looks just like a rat.  Great photos. I like the black squirrels. First time I saw one was in Canada - Montreal, maybe. Then I saw one in Northern Wisconsin (but then again, that is practically Canada  ) The strangest squirrel I've seen in Florida is a fox squirrel - amazing sight - too bad I couldn't get a photo |
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Post by Lillias on Nov 1, 2021 13:48:19 GMT
Poor thing looks like he's been in the wars right enough. My husband calls them rats with a tail. I like the red squirrels but unfortunately there are none in our area.
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Post by BuckSkin on Nov 1, 2021 14:16:36 GMT
I like the black squirrels. The strangest squirrel I've seen in Florida is a fox squirrel - amazing sight - too bad I couldn't get a photo I like the red squirrels but unfortunately there are none in our area. According to this: birdwatchinghq.com/squirrels-in-kentucky/the Black Squirrels are actually Grey Squirrels that have a black gene. It says we have four species of Squirrel in Kentucky, including Greys, Reds, Fox, and Flying Squirrels. I have on rare occasions seen Flying Squirrels; they are rather weird compared to normal Squirrels. I like the Squirrels in bird feeders photos on that site. |
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Post by hmca on Nov 1, 2021 14:30:09 GMT
Interesting reading about the different kind of squirrels. Don't remember ever hearing about a fox squirrel.....looking at the range map it seems they aren't in NJ.
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Post by pontiac1940 on Nov 1, 2021 16:50:07 GMT
Nature is often cruel to our eyes. That squirrel could of had a run in with any number of critters. A sharp-shinned hawk zoomed through or yard yesterday looking for a sparrow or finch to eat. Didn't get dinner in our yard, but once saw one eating an invasive starling which I was not sad about. My husband calls them rats with a tail.  HA! Like some say here when there are too many deer: rats with antlers. Or golfers who call geese, "rats with feathers." |
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Post by cats4jan on Nov 1, 2021 17:55:09 GMT
the Black Squirrels are actually Grey Squirrels that have a black gene. I did not know that - heck, I did not know there were black squirrels until I saw one outside my motel room while in northern WI. |
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Post by jackscrap on Nov 1, 2021 23:41:06 GMT
Sadly no squirrels in Oz, but I do enjoy seeing everyone's photos.
An american friend talks about squirrel gravy, is that really a thing? I believe he's from North Carolina.
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Post by BuckSkin on Nov 2, 2021 0:27:39 GMT
Sadly no squirrels in Oz, but I do enjoy seeing everyone's photos.
An american friend talks about squirrel gravy, is that really a thing? I believe he's from North Carolina.
Well, if it makes you feel any better, we ain't got no Kangaroos here in Kentucky. Yes, I have eaten Squirrel gravy many years ago; I have no idea how to make it, but Squirrel meat is an ingredient. I also have had Squirrel and Dumplings, much like Chicken and Dumplings. Fried Squirrel is much like fried Chicken, with many of the same parts; it is amazing the similarities, what with one being a rodent and the other a fowl. My uncles used to go to the city dump and shoot rats, skin and dress them, and sell the meat as Squirrel meat; they had many repeat customers who really looked forward to another mess of fresh Squirrel meat. That is just one of the many reasons why I don't partake of Squirrel meat anymore. |
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Post by jackscrap on Nov 2, 2021 21:09:27 GMT
You probably wouldn’t want kangaroos roaming around Kentucky, they would soon take care of all that lush green grass.
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Post by BuckSkin on Nov 2, 2021 21:28:27 GMT
You probably wouldn’t want kangaroos roaming around Kentucky, they would soon take care of all that lush green grass. I guess that explains why Australia has so much desolate barren land; the kangaroos have stripped away the vegetation --- or maybe Hollywood just makes the rest of think that most of Australia is one big desert --- what little I really know about Australia has came from Crocodile Dundee. |
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Great photos.
)
HA! Like some say here when there are too many deer: rats with antlers. Or golfers who call geese, "rats with feathers."