We have a bay window that looks out on our backyard, which is partly wooded and is rife with wildlife. Birds, squirrels, deer, once a fox, you get the picture. I keep feeders hanging in the trees for the birds and one feeder on a post to with sunflower seeds for the squirrels. There is some kind of flowering tree, with multiple trunks, just in front of the window, near the base of which is a clay pot in which I put shelled corn. The corn attracts, among other wildlife, three ducks, various other birds but most importantly squirrels.

One can imagine how much entertainment this affords the resident felines. The squirrels also like to sit in the tree and look in the house. There is a spot on one trunk where a limb was taken off and it makes a natural spot for the squirrels to sit. We often see one there, staring in the window, while Freddie Mac and/or his sister Miss Inky Squiggle stare back! The squirrel will sit there, staring directly at the cat and occasionally flip its tail as if to say "NaNa Naa NaNa you cant' get me!", while Freddie fairly oozes "I'd get you if I could, I'd get you if I could" and lashes his tail! I believe, if Fred were allowed out, that he probably would become a formidable hunter. He's a big charcoal tiger, 14 pounds of solid cat, with oversize paws.

I can just picture a tiny squirrel running for the trees with Freddie in hot pursuit!

Copyright © David Rorer
July 17, 2002