Fuzzy Fruit

There's a fair-sized mesquite tree growing on the south side of our house, just off the walkway that leads to the barn. This time of year the tree is full of bean pods, and the bean pods happen to be a favorite food of the round-tailed squirrel. The bold little devils go right up into the very tops of the trees to get at the bean pods. But if you go outside and spook them, they apparently forget that they're up in a tree and lose their grip. First you hear a terrific scratching and scrabbling as they fight for a grip, then they start to fall out of the tree. They fall, they hit the ground with sodden little whomps, they raise little clouds of dust, and after a few seconds of regaining their wits, they tear off for their holes.

It's the funniest thing. Sometimes I go out there just to see it rain squirrels - scratch scratch scratch whomp scratch scratch scratch whomp.

It does have to be said that we're suffering from an especially heavy infestation of the little fellers this year. They get into everything, including the swimming pool and trash bags, and they leave a messy litter of chewed-up mesquite bean pods everywhere. They get angry when we go out into the garage and they squeak at us from behind boards and rakes.

But I still think watching it rain squirrels is a hoot.