A Chipmunk Tale

I was taking a back break after several hours in the garden when I spotted this chipmunk on the feeder. I had my new zoom lens on the camera and took this photo.


( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

Then I saw another one scurry out of their latest entrance in the grass and and this one sitting in the grass eating a leaf from my rosebush.





eating my rosebush leaves! ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

...and then there were two more heads poking out of the entrance hole





( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )


( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )


...oops make that three!





Alvin, Simon & Theodore ( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )







( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )






( photo / image / picture from gfreiherr's Garden )

I think this was there first venture out and they were having a good time romping in the grass, climbing the rosebush & eating the leaves. There was at least four baby chipmunks but I could not get all four in one frame. There was actually 6 chipmunks in my garden at the same time while I was watching.

Later I checked the computer and found out that during April-May chipmunks produce 2-5 babies. (and again in the fall!) As cute as they are they are tunneling everywhere so in a few weeks we are going to start trapping again. I want to give them a chance to survive in a new location. While I was away my husband caught 3 squirrels & 2 chipmunks and transported them to a wooded area a couple miles away.

 

They are cute little things and your shots of them are really good. Alvin, Simon and Theodore is exactly what I was thinking. Also Chip N Dale -- remember them? "After you." "No, no, I insist, after you!" Do you remember that cartoon?

Anyway, I'm sure that too many chipmunks would be problematic... It's nice that you're able to catch and release them.

Remind me sometime to tell you about catching and releasing mice...

 

Awww, they're so cute! I know, I know, but we don't have them here so I'm allowed to think they're cute.

I love that first photo, and the one with two of them. Adorable!

 

You are doing well with breaking that new lens in. These are quite nice fotos, Gail.
This type actually live in the ground, right? What beautiful markings they have. I hope that they don't multiply and over-run you guys.
But it sounds like you have successful methods of removing them from your yard. Well-done.
I had to laugh at that first foto with those little jowels all packed full if birdseed or something.
I especially liked the last three pics.

 

I do think they are cute and this is the first time I have seen babies but they are getting into the garage and tunneling throughout the garden,yard and foundation. With all the vegetation and birdseed I have provided a haven for them. The party's over...I am taking down the feeders except for one in the far corner of the yard. Thanks for your comments. Sjoerd...yes they live in the ground with quite an extensive labyrinth of tunnels from their main burrow. They are hoarders, collecting seeds in their pouches during spring, summer & fall and then semi-hibernate for the winter. This is website gives a good description of their behavior.
http://www.apogeephoto.com/july2006/llr ... munk.shtml
Daisy...we all would like to hear you mouse tale's. :-D

 

A few years ago, I had three cats who were too old and too lazy to catch a bunch o' mice that had taken up residence in my HOUSE. It was bad... one day I actually saw a mouse standing there looking at me so I opened the front door and told it to get out, and it did. But then I'm sure he came back in.

Anyway, I can't bear to kill things either, even mice, so I bought four catch and release mouse traps and filled them with peanut brittle. Every morning and every night I would have four mice, which I would carefully carry down to the bottom of the yard and release (way down) behind the garage. I couldn't believe how many mice I was catching until it occurred to me that I might be catching the same darn mice over and over again. They were starting to look familiar and I think just coming back in for more peanut brittle. So, I started DRIVING THEM TO THE PARK that is about 8 blocks away from here and letting them go there. Let me tell you, the mouse parade stopped fast after that.

One evening I drove all the way to the park with the mice, only to find that one of the traps was empty. However, when I got home and opened the trap to put more peanut brittle in there, out popped the little mouse. He had apparently been holding on for dear life when I tried to release him, because I shook it a little bit.... back to park we went.

So that is the mouse story.

 

I do think they're cute, but you can keep them in your yard (I have plenty here!). They fill up their little pouches until they're overflowing with bird seed and dig holes EVERYWHERE!!! The only thing worse, are the red squirrels...

 

Daisy thanks for sharing your mouse tales, that is too funny that they kept coming back...they knew where to get the goood stuff. The mouse that held on was probably one of the repeat offenders that had been in the trap before My husband has been catching mice in the garage and our golf cart room. He is in charge of catch & release.

 

I've read that too Eileen... :-D I think there are enough other houses near the park that they went to live with someone else... So nice to be in the company of other catch and releasers, y'all.

 

GAIL-- Thanks for that interesting link. The pics and text were nice to see and read.One can learn so much on here.

DAISY-B-- Oh dear me, Daisy--you just won't do.
I sat here holding my sides as I laughed so hard and so long after reading your story.
Those guys were determined, weren't they?

Whew! That was entertainment! Thanks for posting that mouse "tail".

 

Hehehe Chippys are sooo cute! Wish I had some in my garden...but Jude would eat em (she killed a cute little vole the other day!)

 

They are so very cute but I know what kind of damage they can do.I'm glad you are releasing them.