When I lived in an apartment in Louisville, I used to go nearly every day to fed the squirrels in a nearby park.  I’d click my tongue, and they’d come running.

Squirrel!

Now I live in a house with a yard, and the squirrels live right outside my windows. They’ve liked this yard for years. We’ve got two big pin oaks that are loaded with acorns every fall, and a black walnut tree as well.

Hanging out.

The neighbors have silver maples, and my mother and I discovered that the squirrels eat the seeds from these too.

My mom feeds them peanuts, and some of the squirrels will come take them right out of your hand. They bury excess peanuts in the yard. Two springs ago, we had peanut plants everywhere! Last winter was much harder, and I didn’t see many peanuts sprouting.

You’ll notice that most of my pics feature squirrels munching peanuts.

I put a dish of water out for them, a trick I learned in Louisville. Squirrels will chew on the plants in your garden if they are thirsty. On hot summer days, it’s hard for a critter to find water.

Who you looking at? You looking at me?

It makes me giggle. Once upon a time, my folks used to try to keep the squirrels out of the birdfeeder. Now my mom gets frustrated with the blackbirds and blue jays that come to sneak a peanut. I don’t mind them. I love blue jays and the blackbirds are pretty, but I’m not buying the peanuts!

Lurking blackbird wants your peanuts.

If you have the inclination, and the yard, consider putting out a dish of water for the local wildlife. And if you feed the squirrels, they’ll keep you entertained with their antics.