We used to have a great big Box Elder tree that gave shade to a good chunk of our back yard. Over the years, we've watched it slowly die, rotting from the inside out. My husband and youngest son attempted to cut it down, but they only had partial luck, (neither of them wanted to climb inside the tree and try to drop those huge limbs) so we ended up paying someone to take down just the branches, leaving us with a large, dead, tree trunk.
Now, we're very 'Green' around here, re-using as much as we can for some other project. I just knew we would be able to do something with this trunk. After much thinking, planning and talking, we decided to leave it alone, let the bark fall off and make it the starting point of a pond.
This has worked out very well and has led to more thinking, planning and talking, so we have added some chicken wire up one side for a Clematis to grow on, and plant hangers for bird feeders.
But the most exciting thing that has happened to this poor, dead, tree trunk, is the squirrels.
Last year, a squirrel (maybe two) decided to make a nest for her babies in our hollowed out tree.
I love watching squirrels interact with my collie, I love watching adolescent squirrels chase each other up and down and around and around, but OMG, baby squirrels are the cutest little things and are just a hoot to watch. We would stand at an upstairs window (about the same height as the branch they were on) and watch them play and fight and bat at each other. The poor exhausted mom squirrel would run out on the branch, put her paws on the a naughty one until he was settled down, then run back to the nest to rest.
I am really, really excited to see them again, and although we aren't positive one has made a nest, we have seen them in and out of the holes, and heard strange noises coming from the tree.
I'm crossing my fingers that pretty soon there will be all sorts of activity out on the limbs once again.
Click on Linked 52 above and see all the other talent and their take on the word Excitement!
11 comments:
They look so happy in their home. Would love to see the entire project, too. It sounds so pretty with the clematis growing and at the beginning of the pond.
Now that would be a fun thing to watch! They must have their nests in there. I love the photo second up from the bottom of the little guy racing down the trunk.
Those squirrels would keep me entertained for hours! I bet they are a hoot to watch.
Yes, I could sit and watch those squirrels for hours. What a cool thing!!
too cute! you got some awesome photos of them.
omg! this is soooo cute!!!! <3
Oh fun! That would be so entertaining to watch! Great shots!
This would be great entertainment for my children. :) When I went to the U squirrel watching was an everyday activity. I love that you can see the movement in that one picture. I think I might be the exhausted mom squirrel that has to put her paws on the naughty one. My little one sure gives me a run for my money. Love the pics.
I totally understand and share your excitement. At Frank's (S.O.) place, there is a family of "triplet" squirrels who were born last year and they were a hoot to watch. Mama has recently shooed them away from her space though, and sure enough there's a new young one who wrestles with her and bounces all over the place. It seems to be the only one, though. They're wonderful creatures. Thanks for leaving the tree. It's just what so many things need.
that is exciting!
you got some awesome shots of them :)
Oh cute! Their poor mom with all that running back and forth to settle the wild ones down and then go back to the nest to rest.
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