I didn’t put the orange slices out for the squirrel. I’d seen a gorgeous, migrating male Baltimore Oriole a little while before and placed a hurried set of sweet, juicy orange slices on the fruit feeder in hope of luring him and other oriole buddies to my garden.
Instead, I got this guy, slurping the sugary stuff.
Naturally, I didn’t see the oriole again, but this stretchy, agile acrobat nibbling at the treat was a sight. I can’t blame him for wanting a syrupy snack (I’m known for having a sweet tooth), and if the oriole moved on, the squirrel might as well enjoy his afternoon treat.
My Gardener Says... 
I had no idea squirrels would enjoy citrus. On the other hand, they do like figs, so maybe sugar’s more tempting for them than I realized. Around here, the ground is covered with fragments of broken cypress balls. Once those ripen and their seeds are available, the squirrels choose them first, and peanuts second: to the great delight of the chickadees, cardinals, and bluejays!
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That’s interesting about the cypress balls. Squirrels do really love peanuts…little scoundrels.
I like apples and eat at least one each day, usually two. I leave the cores out for the squirrels and without fail, one snags it up and carts it off to be enjoyed!
Last spring when I had the oranges/tangerines out for the orioles, the squirrels ate some of the citrus, but the ones on that feeder they didn’t bother with. It was only the ones that I stuck on a potted American agave needle that they’d snatch!
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Hanging ten, lol! Great shot, Tina. 🙂
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At least ten! But I think that tail counts for something, too!
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They can get into the most hilarious positions!
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They’re great contortionists and comedians!
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What a contortionist you caught in your picture. Would that we were all so limber.
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Yoga squirrels, this one made me laugh! They’re quite amazing how they move and stretch.
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What a delightful photo!
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Thanks, Amy–I was tickled that I had the camera ready.
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Ha! That happens to our orange stash for the orioles, too, and also for the bird seed. Usually we’re able to rearrange the position of the oranges and seed to make it more difficult for the squirrels to climb or jump over the baffle, but they can be tricky–jumping directly from the nearby tree to the seeds/oranges. They are smart and agile creatures, for sure!
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I know you’re familiar with these characters! They are too smart for me–often!
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Oh, those squirrels. You caught a great pose.
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