A hot 37C day.
Let's let the squirrels show us how hot the day was.
As soon as my wife takes some fresh cold water out to fill the bowls, the squirrels appear to take a drink. Normally they would run after the nuts to eat, but on this day, they were very much lame due to the heat. The bowls can also not sit for long outside as the heat almost boils the water, even in this late afternoon. So, every now and then the water bowls will be replenished.
The idea came to me to show the squirrels in the heat, as I was searching for a suitable medium to show the heat of the day. We are in full summer now and like all over the world, our weather is also weird. One day can be in the high 30's and the next day it can be in the low 20's. The wind still, hot days are the worst, as when there is a slight breeze, it can make things a bit better, but instead everybody is moaning about the heat.
Look at that, lying flat with its head on the bowl.
Shame! No squirrel enthusiasm in this picture below. Not even to eat that nut.
Flat on the paving to cool the stomach.
The little dove still had some energy.
And now something special below.
This is "Mini" the little female with the broken back legs. I took the shots of Mini to our local wildlife vets, and fortunately there was a female vet that often works with injured squirrels. We had a long chat, and she agreed with me to let nature take its course in Mini's case. However, if we see that Mini starts to deteriorate, then I must call them to come fetch her. Mini surprised all of us as she is healthy and well.
I have 4 photos below that will show you how well Mini copes with her disability.
The one at the back is Mini.
Our greatest fear was that Mini would be put down by the vets, but thankfully the lady assured me that if we saw that Mini was coping, then there would be no reason for her to be put down. Sadly, she doesn't come to eat every day anymore, and we only see her once or twice a week. But when she comes, she gets royal treatment from us. The other squirrels don't like it so much, as we keep them away from Mini's food and water.
I am glad when I see Mini climbing our Strawberry-Guava tree with her disability, and she is a real brave little soul. Just goes to show how we, as humans, can also cope with our disabilities. I had a very serious accident, and I refused the amputation of my left leg, and I have been walking on it ever since 1980. Others are much worse than me, and yet they also cope. I think that is why I have such a special place in my heart for our little Mini.
Such is life.
I hope you enjoyed the pictures and the story.
Photos by Zac Smith. All-Rights-Reserved.
Camera: Canon PowershotSX70HS Bridge camera.
Thank you kindly for supporting this post.
Great photos! As I'm typing this I'm watching squirrels playing in the front yard in five inches of snow at 14 degrees (F). It's incredible how resilient they can be. We started feeding a blind squirrel years ago when we lived in the city—it got along better than even some of the sighted ones.
Thank you! Amazing how the weather conditions can differ between the two hemispheres. Your squirrels playing in the snow, and our squirrels frying in the heat. At the same time. Do you have a picture? That's amazing, and it just shows how resilient the squirrels are to cope with their disabilities.
!PIZZA
I know, the difference in weather between hemispheres is something I didn't even consider before joining Hive! I don't have a picture including the squirrels (they're in their dreys right now) but here's the snow:
Nature is pretty amazing and has a lot to teach us!
That is a great picture of the snow, and we have never had anything over here like that :)
!BEER
Fantastic pictures there today! You can see how the squirrel stretches out to lay down in the shade with it's head of the bowl to cool down. Smart little animal! Glad to see that Mini is getting along so well even with her disability. Many times those injured squirrels end up being prey for birds or bigger predators. It's nice of you to give her the royal treatment, she can use it with her disability. I know you understand that all too well with your leg situation, and have coped with it most of your life now since the accident.
That is a nice warm day, I used to live for some time in southern Arizona. There the locals always said you aren't allowed to complain until the temperature is over 45 C. Then everyone complains! lol You do get used to the heat, however I don't know how they survived there before the advent of air conditioning. Just imagine how horrific it must have smelled in a saloon in Tombstone Arizona bac in the old west, very hot and everyone is dripping sweat everywhere. Sounds miserable!
Take care of yourself and stay hydrated. Keep taking care of those little creatures, they appreciate your help!
!BEER
!PIZZA
Thank you and I appreciate your comment. I agree that the squirrels are smart little critters. Mini is coping and we are just a bit worried about her size, as she doesn't seem to be growing any bigger like her siblings do. But maybe it's a blessing, as if she grows bigger, her back legs would not be able to handle the extra weight. We do indeed take good care of her.
Wow! People are only entitled to moan if the heat surpasses 45C. It sounds like the Sahara Desert here. I could never get used to heat like that, and you make Tombstone to sound like a nightmare. But maybe all of the bullet holes in the walls of the saloon acted like mini air vents Lol.
We do what we can for the wild members of our mini zoo, and it's great that our neighbors don't mind.
!PIZZA
!BEER
$PIZZA slices delivered:
@papilloncharity(3/15) tipped @thebighigg
papilloncharity tipped ericvancewalton
thebighigg tipped papilloncharity
Please vote for pizza.witness!