Gotcha!

Last weekend, Mr. Mugwump put up a new bird feeder and pole for our feathered friends. Because the pole had to be painted, we had to let the paint set up before we greased it. We have found that Vaseline deters the squirrels...and adds to the entertainment as they try repeatedly to climb, only to slide to the bottom.

This little bandit took full advantage of the situation and proceeded to empty the feeder...brat!

However, there came a turn of events on Saturday morning...a recently greased pole had this fellow wondering, "What the heck?". He was sending me questioning looks as I snapped these photos from the sunroom. And then, being the determined and hungry squirrel that he surely must be, gave it his all trying to scale that slippery pole.

His efforts to climb were met with defeat, and he realized the seriousness of this dilemma.

He sat here a great while and became all too aware of the great expanse that separated him and his breakfast.

He explored a different route, "Hey Rabbit, do you mind if I stand on your head? Be still!".

"Maybe if I get a really good, long running start?".

"So close!".

Even as he explored every option, the competition was moving in. He resigned himself to the futileness of it all, and made do with those stray seeds that fell to the ground.

Don't pity this industrious bushy tailed rodent, there is a feast of corn cobs awaiting him in the front yard. He need only broaden his search.

A valuable life lesson in this backyard fable.

Enjoy the day,

Robyn