Wednesday 17 August 2011

Squirrel drivel

Graham

In an earlier post about marmots, you threw in a couple of squirrels 'for good measure'. Well, I must say that is no way to treat squirrels. They are refined rodents that fully deserve to get their own dedicated post crammed full of essential facts.

So here goes...

Although squirrels are often despised by the mammalogerati, they are as interesting as any other rat up a tree. In the UK lots of folk get very exercised by the invasive Eastern Grey Squirrel and very excited by the persuasive Red Squirrel. Chestnut just looks that bit cuter, but remember underneath the fur lies the same nut-gnawing greedy guts. It is not the fault of the Eastern Grey, or should I say Eastern Gray, that is passed the pox onto its rufous Euro cousin and loves nothing more than bark stripping or munching on some baby Blue Tits.


vulgaris, moi?

Geoff

Tuesday 16 August 2011

Fight! Fight! Fight!

Hi Graham,

Long time no post, so I hope that you are well. Looking forward to seeing you next month - are you thinking of staying for the weekend beforehand? If so then maybe we could manage a Mammalogia field trip into the highlands ...

In the meantime, here is the first of my photos taken in the French Alps this summer. Antagonistic behaviour Alpine Marmot style.

Maybe they are laughing at the fact that I can't ever get a shot in focus?...

Geoff

p.s. that's another point (and tick) to me I think