Written and illustrated by Laura
It was a prolific spring and summer for the squirrels in Camelot. All conditions on King Arthur Court were perfect for a thriving community.
One morning a gray squirrel was making its way from yard to yard with a large, heavy something-or-other in its mouth. Maybe it was a seed pod from a magnolia tree, such a wonderful treat for any hungry squirrel. But even from a distance it became clear that the parcel was a tad larger and more gray than the typical brown of a late August pod.
Anticipation grew in hopes that the bushy-tailed creature would enter my yard, allowing a closer look. Sure enough, it climbed the chain-link fence, as agile as could be, with the large load secure in its mouth. It definitely wasn’t a seedpod, but some kind of gray fuzzy ball, maybe some nesting material.
It cautiously scampered closer. As it came into better view, it was revealed that this was a mother carrying a baby.
This was indeed a rare sighting, something I had never seen before.
Mother squirrel demonstrated amazing agility as she climbed a large oak tree, leapt from there into a magnolia, then into a pine before disappearing from view. All without losing her precious cargo.
What had prompted the grand relocation? Was it about getting closer to a better food source? Had her young outgrown the old nest? Had it become too infested with fleas? Had an owl, hawk or other predator discovered the nest, putting the babies in danger? Had the recent thunderstorms compromised their home?
I did not see her repeat the great move with another fur ball. So, she must have been at the end of her hard work when I spied her. Whatever had prompted the move, I was happy to have witnessed part of it.
I continued to think about the squirrel family most of the day. I envisioned a mother squirrel leaving her prior nest unattended to find or build a new home before moving her little ones. How far did she venture? How long did she search? Was her new home an upgrade? Did it have better sleeping quarters? Was there better protection from wind and rain? Better views of the sunrise and sunset? Was it a penthouse suite? I would think, even for a squirrel family, new real estate is all about location, location, location.
