Greetings folks. Excited to announce there has been a few rays of sunshine breaking through the dark clouds. Last post I mentioned that Ron pulled triple watch duty so Linda and I could attend several events in the St. Louis area. One of those was the memorial/tribute to Linda’s relative that had transitioned to a better place last year. I am sure she was smiling while looking down at hearing the wonderful stories shared by her family. Monday, Raven competed in the Poodle Agility Nationals at Purina Farms. Went one for three, but his first run was perfection earning him first place in his division. Two proud parents, although Ruger was giving his older brother crap for the other two runs while bragging about how he is going to show him up when he competes against him next year. The last ray of sunshine came this morning. I’ve been hinting at a likely surgery coming up. Today was a third referral consultation. Ended up seeing “one of the experts” who I learned also takes care of the St. Louis Blues. After an extensive exam and review of all the previous tests (MRI, xrays, etc) he was able to diagnose the issue – good news, NO SURGERY unless his recommended physical therapy fails to improve it. There’s a battery of therapy sessions and incredibly painful deep tissue massage/torture in my immediate future, but I pretty much walked out of the office 2 feet off the floor. When that euphoria wore off it was replaced with some definite anger that the local specialists had given me a bad read (and cost me a chunk of change). Lesson here, get multiple references before they cut ya’.
In light of those good moments, it just seems fitting to bring you the last installment in my balls of cuteness series.
Hit the jump to read more about our reddish friend.
If you’ve been keeping up with the April posts, you know I’ve been walking you through my preferred Squirrel list ranked by level of increasing cuteness. Recapping, in 4th place we have the Eastern Grey (link here). The Black comes in at the 3rd spot (link here) and since I do not have a new series of them to show, the top spot was clinched by the Whites of Brevard, North Carolina (link here). Brad M. did educate me on the Fox variety which can be found in our parts as well. After careful consideration, had to put them in 5th spot mainly under the impression that smaller is cuter and those Fox’s tower over the other species.
For those not keeping track on their fingers, you are looking at the 2nd place position on the list – the Red, honestly, I think they should have been named “Cudobs” for the “Cutest Damn Squirrels Outside Brevard”. Try telling me this specimen doesn’t make you smile when you lay eyes on its perky ears, dainty nose, button eyes and reddish highlights. Want to make a difference in people’s lives, slap a vest with “Therapy Squirrel” written on it and make the rounds at your local hospitals.
Whoa, the Intrigued legal department just pulled the emergency fire alarm and demand I make the following statement. “We here at Intrigued DO NOT in any form or implied nuance suggest ANYONE (that means YOU) go out into the woods, scoop up a wild Red Squirrel and take it into a medical facility no matter how cute it happens to be. NEVER EVER EVA‘. ”
(Pssst, are the suits gone yet?…yes). Okay, my bad, missed a step. After you scoop one up, be sure and give it a good scrubbing, blow drying and style before slapping the vest on and taking it in. We don’t want anyone getting sic….crap, the suits are coming back and they look pissed. For now, hold off on the whole therapy Squirrel thing until we get the details straightened out.
While the lawyers squabble about the likelihood of patients getting rabies, I’ll give you a bit of background on our furry friend. To be correct, it is actually called an American Red Squirrel and are not the same as the Eurasian variety. This particular specimen comes to you courtesy of a recommendation by our friend over at the Cedar Journal blog (link here). She had posted about how nice Bear Head Lake State Park was in Ely Minnesota. We happened to be heading up to see the Wolves at the International Wolf Center (we are members there) and thought it would be a great time to check the place out for ourselves.
Absolutely fantastic choice. The campground was nestled in the woods along Bear Head Lake. There were multiple trails through the woods and one that took you around the banks of the lake providing ample opportunity to get some birding in before making the trip back home. Managed to consume a good chunk of a digital card on a Common Loon that was enjoying the calm waters of the lake. The rest of the card was used up on our red fella (or maybe feller) here.
Linda and I were sitting at the campsite picnic table with the boys when Red scurried down a nearby pine tree and scooped up some kind nut or cone that had fallen from the tree. Immediately identified it as a Cudsob and ran to the RV to get The Beast. Didn’t expect it to hang around long especially with the dogs huddled up discussing how to distract mom, free each other of the leashes, tackle this intruder, slap a vest on it and take it to the nearest medical facility.
Completely oblivious to the boy’s plans, Red continued to much away at its supper. Shudder snap, shudder snap, munch, munch, shudder snap, munch repeat for the next 20 minutes. Eventually, it nibbled its way through to the end. It is possible, that Squirrel species are inversely proportional to their level of cuteness. This hypothesis purely based on this specimen deciding to then run straight past the dogs and under our RV. Talk about a deathwish or it somehow knew the boys lacked opposable thumbs so the leashes were staying put.
This did allow me to get some additional shots that ended up being my favorite in the series.
By this time, I was getting worried that I might be stressing it as it kept looking back and forth between the dogs and the bazooka pointed at it. Backed away and tried to give it safe passage to the tree line. Off it went leaving me with a huge smile. Good times for sure. Thanks again to CJ for making us aware of this state park – definitely on the list for the next time we head up to see how our Wolves are doing.
Take care everyone, back on watch so I’ll once again be spotty on the replies.
Wildlife Intrigued 
OMG! Cutest little red ever and it was located at one of my favorite hang outs! Maybe I will be visited in June by this sweet cute thing and (don’t inform the legal department or the DNR😳😬) scoop him/her up and bring him/her home in my suitcase. I am in need of a therapy animal and this one doesn’t need that much…could even get the cats from being in my garden (looks up to out smarting them if it could keep those dogs of yours on the lines). These are at the top of my favorite list. They can be a bit on the cagey side when a black squirrel is in their territory but cuteness is cuteness!
Congrats on the Raven showing. You may have to worry about the ego next year when two are in the running. Buy extra doggy treats.😊
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I thought you would enjoy this post with your morning coffee! You June secret is safe with me ha. Never seen one of these Reds with a Black – sounds like it might be interesting. If I remember correctly, you are not allowed to “annoy” the feral Cats in your area – are you allowed to bring in deterrents? I am definitely going to have to deal with the dog egos next year. Raven actually ran today at a show in Springfield and Ruger was busy giving him hell from the cheap seats – taunting, inappropriate gestures.. Mom was NOT happy. Ruger was also busy keeping track of what Raven got for treats after a successful run and I am sure he will be making sure he gets a similar bribe when he’s running. Thanks for dropping in CJ and be sure and put air holes in whatever container you try to smuggle that Red in hehehe.
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😂🤣😂🤣
Nope absolutely no solution to cat issue. All my solutions are considered animal abuse.🙄 Like, what about the birds those darn cats kill and eat? Again, I don’t understand the reasoning.
I think those cute “reds” need to stay in that wonderful location at Bear Head Lake. I will try to grab a picture of one while we are there.
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Absolutely crazy law you have over there .. although there are probably ones we have that they scratch their heads over there. Okay, I was going to head back up there, snag one and mail it out to you, but this will give you something to look forward to when you get a chance to come back for a bit. Just let me know if you change your mind ha!
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Anything to shuck your responsibilities! Nope, I am good. Plus, Postal Service would charge me VAT even if arrived in “other than normal condition”.😂🤣 Look for a hummmm blog posted soon on TCJ.😊
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Ugh, don’t even mention VAT – that was a total pain in my ass when I was dealing with ERP software for our international plants – nightmare! Looking forward to the Hmmm post, I need a laugh.
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I have a Floris V hike in the works but haven’t been much on the hummmm side recently. 😊
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Cute little buggers. Much better face on photos than the feathered subjects, especially the raptors.
Congrats to Raven and Linda!
And a big Whew! on not requiring surgery.
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I was actually shocked when the specialist said I didn’t have the condition originally given to me by the local specialist. Probably blinked a couple of times before I asked him to repeat that again slowly. Hopefully be able to start treatments early so I’m in tip top shape for October. By the way, how is Jan doing with her hammie?
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Healing slowly, thanks for asking. She has tried jogging a few tens of yards at a time. We walked a couple dozen miles in Beantown this week and she did OK. I think, no, I KNOW she will be ready for her 465-mile run this August. Even if I have to carry her from that even to get on the plane for our vacation.
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You are quite good at capturing the Squirrel Nutkin.
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Thanks Timothy, I do find them easier than trying to catch those feathered creatures – they are bit more predictable and more importantly fill up a good portion of my center sensor so the focusing is less of a hassle. Appreciate you coming by.
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BTW I posted a Black Phoebe yesterday. We are at the very northern edge of their range.
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I will definitely get over there and check that out – hoping to have some time tonight to get caught up on as many blogs as I can. Love those Flycatchers
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I also would like congratulate Raven and Linda!
These are very good news not having surgery and instead do physical therapy.
I enjoyed watching this cute critter with lovely face expression. Precious moments and great photos.
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Thanks Kaya, glad you enjoyed the post. I passed on your congrats to Linda and Raven. They also ran today at a show in Springfield and did really well (Raven still hates the teeter). We can’t wait until Ruger is ready for the ring – should be interesting if we can harness his puppy energy. Have a wonderful weekend.
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I can’t get over those cute red-headed FEET. Great color, and awesome expressions in these photos.
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They make me melt every time we encounter one. This one was more accommodating than my other occasions which allowed me time to get the setting dialed in – also allowed me to get lower to the subject which tends to give a more personal feel to the shots. Now if I could just get birds to give me the same consideration ha! As always, appreciate you taking the time to read about my adventures.
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So cute.
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Thank you Vic! The Reds are quite adorable and if it wasn’t for those rare white ones in Brevard they would definitely be at the stop of my cute list. Apologies for the late response.. my spam filter accidentally scooped up your comment – hopefully fixed now.
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Yeah. The spam monster strikes me every once in a while. LOL!
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How we loathe the spam monster hehehe..
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I hear ya’.
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Good news indeed. Amazing how there are so many different diagnosis and therapy sounds painful but better than getting cut open like you said. I love the last photo, it looks like he is posing, trying to look surprised. 🙂
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I’ll definitely take pressure over slicing any day. Although, the last work I had done on a messed up calf nearly brought tears to my eyes. As they say, do the damage, pay the toll. This little critter sure looked happy – a bit overconfident if you ask me – if we would have control of one of the leashes our Poodles would be putting its evasive skills to the test.
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You’re a riot. This little guy is absolutely adorable! Love the shots of her/him looking directly at the camera. Good to hear surgery is off the table for now. Maybe some regular stretching & upping your hydration (including electrolytes) can help. Have a good week, B! 🌞
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Definitely need to take the time to stretch more – Father Time is doing its best to make it harder and harder to compete each year. More dynamic in nature and even after the multi-hour runs I need to invest some time for after run stretching rather than rushing home to whatever I should have been dong instead of running. Thanks for dropping in Lisa – surprised you didn’t mention eating more colorful foods ha!
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Good to hear she is progressing – so you know exactly what it is like to be married to a runner hehehe.
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