Saturday, 6 December 2008

The London Squirrel Community.

City life, with all it's hustle and bustle, tends to take it's toll on a person.  That's why it's important that there are places around a city where you can go to "chill".  In London there are many parks throughout the city and they're usually only a short walk away from any place you're likely to be.  I like to go to a park to chill.  I also like to go to the park to be entertained by the resident squirrels, and indulge in a spot of squirrel photography.  

I'd never seen a squirrel before moving to London, and definitely never imagined that I'd get a chance to see so many.  All of the parks I've been to so far have been well endowed with squirrels, and it really makes me happy watching them scurry about, gathering food, and socialising. They're quite friendly wee chaps and seem happy to sit there and chew at a nut or a seed while I take photos of them at a fairly close proximity.  

Sometimes it can be a bit frustrating trying to get a good shot however.  The squirrels move fairly quickly and often you think you got a good snap and then when you look at it, you find you have a photo of a small brown blur.  Sometimes you're just about to get that perfect shot and then an unruly child will spot the squirrel you're photographing and run towards it with flailing arms, yelling and laughing, resulting in another photo of a small brown blur.

Please take time to enjoy the following images featuring squirrels of Queen's Park in Kilburn.

Fossicking about in the grass for something or other.



Munching on some variety of nutritious treat, I'll bet.


Here's one thinking about climbing up a tree.


And here's one thinking about climbing down a tree.


Look! This one's perched on a fence.


Not only is it winter (when there is much less squirrel-food around), 
but also the "credit crunch" has left many squirrels tightening
 their belts.  Consequently, this squirrel is eating a dead leaf.
Possibly the squirrel equivalent of eating dry Weet-Bix.
Times are tough!



A tree to you or me - A house to a squirrel.



Queen's Park, Kilburn - or Upper Squirrelton, 
depending on who's map you're referring to.




5 comments:

gianna said...

This is one of the best and most riveting blogs that I have come across. AMAZING!

Robbie said...

I don't see any weasels in these photos. I think you're going to have to photoshop some in.

By the way, did you know that squirrels have fully articulated wrist and heel joints? It's somewhat unusual to find this feature outside of the primate order. Anyway, it's used so that when they climb up their paws point towards the sky, but stay facing up when they climb down. That way they have their weight supported by their claws whether they're ascending or descending the tree.

Anthony said...

I did not know that.

Zeb said...

Hi Anthony
My username happens to be Zeb, I thought it was SuzieQ, and some other stuff about this is a mystery to me too.
But nice to have a link to you!
love from Lei'smom

Anthony said...

Hello Lei's Mom!! I wonder where the name Zeb came from then.