Theme Thursday - Animals ... Squirrel Feast!

Posing for photographs, bunnies and squirrels are feasting right out our back door. We delight in watching them and their antics, taking note of their cues and behaviors. Our backyard is bursting with critters and that's not too surprising when you feed them well, like we do.  It does provide entertainment and, for the homeschooler, a lesson in observation.

You may remember from a previous post we've been feeding the squirrels and testing hypotheses.

Observing daily, taking copious notes, changing circumstances, testing theories we have come to some conclusions on what is the favorite food of our squirrels.  Google had us thinking it might be peanuts, but with an easy dish of peanuts in front of them, they'll still go to great lengths to get to the sunflower seeds.

They like their peanuts, too... especially when it's easy.

But usually they are at the peanuts if another squirrel is already in the "contraption." My son forked this pole into the lawn and duct-tapped a sand pail to it that he sprinkled some sunflower seed into. It's pretty comical seeing the gymnastics the furry friends resort to to get to their preferred meal.

The bunny, on the other hand, is certainly more dignified. He eats his clover without dramatics, usually sleepy-eyed. He perks up a bit and appreciates the random carrot we toss out.

Our squirrels have been, from the very beginning, our homeschool pets. They've been a part of our "schoolroom."

Watching their mannerisms we've been led to books, Youtube videos and google to find out what it means when they flick their tails or hold their hearts.

...And in doing so, they've won our hearts....

Joining Cari at Clan Donaldson this THEME THURSDAY-ANIMALS and adding a #QueenofMay image, because even Our Lady loved squirrels!