American Red Squirrel

An American Red Squirrel, a type of Pine Squirrel, lunches on a Lodgepole pine cone.

The squawk of the the American Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) is larger than life. One can't help but think that the harassing vitriol is coming from a much larger creature, like a Grizzly Bear with a wedgie. Alas it is just a highly territorial rodent. I discovered that if yearling squirrels don't stake out a territory by winter, they will die. No wonder they are so obnoxious. Their lives, literally, depend upon it.

This creature is one of three species of Pine Squirrel in North America and the only one of those three to live in Colorado. Also known as a Chickaree, it is almost exclusively a seed eater but occasionally will eat berries and leaves. Sounds like the perfect "granola".

Are those love handles or does this squirrel have a brood of suckling youngsters?

I have rarely gotten a good look at this squirrel because it has the uncanny knack of racing up and down tree trunks in a blur of motion. I came across this specimen while out Moose hunting (still have not caught one on film). She (are those teats in the photo above?) let me get quite close as she blissfully devoured a pine cone.

The other two species of squirrel in Colorado are the Fox Squirrel and Albert Squirrel.

Day 3: Around the cabin on Shelter Bay

Looking south along the lake shore on the first morning


A view of the cabin, its wrap around deck, and the lake beyond.


This American Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) was taunting me from its perch. American Red Squirrels are very territorial and live and feed on conifer trees.

Waking up after a pitch-black storm in our cozy cabin on Shelter Bay was a treat. This cabin was located just a few feet from the lake. It was surrounded by woods and two bridges traversed a long narrow pond. While my two friends lounged in the sunny solarium facing the lake, I wandered about snapping pictures. So forgive me in indulging in this fit of plant loving photography.




The first of many mushroom photos. Amanita flavaconia. The Amanita genus is the most poisonous so don't go nibbling on this one. No shroom in this genus is fit for human consumption. One penny sized cap of the Angel Killer can kill a large man.


This type of Birch shelf fungus (Piptoporus betulinus) was everywhere. Some specimens were as large as pizza pies!

I am guessing this is Lepoita cristata.
There is something about the smell of rotting vegetation after a rain! In this series there were at least 3 species of fungi. Alas, they won’t be the last you see. Mushrooms, jelly fungi, and toadstools sprouted like wildflowers in the Michigan woods. I had no idea they could be so varied in style.


The cabin was surrounded by conifers and young maples


What is a fall color trip without a close up of a maple leaf after the rain.

---

The Pond Series

I like the these Lilly pond picture because of the striations in the water.

Fall color reflected in the pond

Ok, it is just reeds growing in the pond but I liked the reflections.

The day after the pictures above, a 3-day gale started to blow. After the storm had abated the sky and clouds turned deep blue. One morning a Bald Eagle soared between us and Grand Island.



Waves lap at the shoreline


Looking east along the shoreline. These boats bobbed in the swell that increased dramatically while we were there.


Clouds over Grand Isle