Plop…
Plop…
Plop…
What’s happening here?
It was the question on some walkers’ minds as they approached an area of the boardwalk in Summerside recently. Cones of a large spruce tree fell every few seconds from the top of the tree onto the boardwalk below. Some people walked around the area of the falling cones and continued along the way, others walked over the fallen cones, oblivious. My husband and I stopped to investigate.
It didn’t take long to see the source of the falling cones. An industrious Red Squirrel was busy above, nipping off the cones and throwing them from its lofty perch. You can see it here.
Plop…
Plop…
The Red Squirrels along the boardwalk are harvesting the cones for their winter stockpile, just like humans harvest various crops this time of year. Harvest is well underway on all fronts.
I had noticed the area filled with cones the previous day and suspected a squirrel harvest but had no proof.
Today was my lucky day however. One could have been hit by a falling cone without injury but my husband and I stood out of the way as we watched the proceedings. Later, the furry harvester would store the cones in its stockpile for the long winter ahead. Those of yesterday’s harvest look to have been secured already. Today’s harvest was quickly accumulating.
We laughed as we watched the busy squirrel flick the crop out of its paws. We felt privileged to see this harvest.