He is skittish and it has been difficult to get a picture. The squirrels which live along the boardwalk by the bay in Summerside, Prince Edward Island will take peanuts out of your hand. Not so the chipmunks. They love seeds, but aren't trusting of humans.
Chipmunks are fast too. Short of setting up a tripod and buying a new camera, I could not imagine getting any pictures which weren't a blur. Then, on a recent early morning visit to the boardwalk, someone had left seeds near a feeder. A single chipmunk, Alvin, was busy collecting the seeds, filling his pouches and disappearing to stash them.
The squirrels were occupied with peanuts, so Alvin was undisturbed as he worked.
He posed, first at the base of a tree as he searched for the seeds,
then on the feeder.
These Eastern chipmunks have beautiful stripes on their backs, a central black one and on each side, two black stripes around a central white one.
The tail is not as bushy as the squirrels' tails and it is gray fur like some of the fur on its back.
Alvin has long sharp claws like the squirrels, making tree climbing easy for him.
Like a squirrel, his eyes are rimmed with white above and below, and the faces of the two animals are similarly shaped.
Alvin's cousin, McNutt
There aren't as many chipmunks as squirrels in residence on the boardwalk. We have only ever seen one on our visits to the area, so there is little opportunity for a great photo. Then again, how fortunate am I when my greatest concern is how to photograph a chipmunk?
22 comments:
And what a good job you did of it, too! What a cutie he is, and that first picture made me laugh out loud. :-)
Great photos! You must be so pleased!
I love chipmunks, but for years could not get a decent picture. Then our outdoor cat passed away, the chipmunks multiplied mightily and grew so bold as to sit and stare you away. Or wait until the silly fool quit with the camera.
What an absolute charmer. And how lucky that Alvin was prepared to pose for you. Thank you so much.
Well, they are both rodents but Alvin is the cute and cuddly one ! I am overrun with squirrels and they love to eat all the seeds I put out for the birds...grrrrrr.
He is a cute rodent, that's for sure. Glad you liked the picture.
I was pleased with these, Debra.
Those rascally chipmunks.
He did a great pose and I was fast enough to catch it, EC.
The squirrels can be aggressive but the chipmunk is aloof.
Second and third pics are soooper cute ,we have squirrels here too they are grey and so adorable i love watching their moves n mischiefs thank you for sharing the joy dear
Love these photos. Years ago, when I was about ten years old, my cat caught a chipmunk. He looked dead, so I buried him in a butter box. Then for some reason, later because I was interested in what happens after death, I dug up the box the chipmunk was gone. Did he become resurrected, or, did he climb out through the hole in the side of the box? Another time my cat caught chipmunk and I took the little guy away from my cat. He lay in my hand and then quick as a dart, he flipped over, bit me and jumped out of my hand. I think if they are cornered they play dead. The chipmunk in your photos is beautiful. Given the nest box and peanuts, i suspect he is a bit tame.
There rodents are the cutest I think, Baili.
Great stories,S. Thanks for sharing them. They made me laugh out loud.
Love the little critters! We have both Red Squirrels and Chipmunks living along the old fencerow in our yard.
You are lucky they are so nearby.
Lovely pictures - wish we had them over here. Incidentally what are the other Chipmunks called?
There is a Simone I believe!
I LOVE these li'l creatures. We don't have them here (South GA) but we have them at our mountain home in NC, and I love to see them. They are quick!
Your photos are beautiful.
I want to thank you for visiting my blog and commenting even though I had been away for a while. You are sweet to not give up on me.
Hugs and love,
J.
Good to see your blog again, Jackie! Thank you for visiting.
Chipmunks are the cutest. For some reason I like them much more than squirrels. Maybe because they are fewer and lest pesty.
I love chipmunks but the squirrels are also cute.
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