While fending off colds, both myself and Firstborn did the lazy thing and slept in. By the time I awoke, it was already 40 degrees and sunny under a hazy-blue sky. A perfectly lovely beginning to the day. Best yet, the deck had become the arena for a skirmish between Mr. Squirrel and two Blue Jays, male and female, vying for access to unshelled (and unsalted) peanuts in the flat pan feeder.

I hid behind the drapes and managed to snap quite a few pics through the window in the French door. Most turned out surprisingly well (guess I can forego grabbing the Windex until later).

Mr. Squirrel is up first. He’s on the thin side compared to some of his compatriots. We have seven of them raiding the deck at any one time, including a red squirrel and possibly a flying squirrel, though I can’t confirm with a photograph as he is quite the elusive fellow.

Ms. Jay was willing to pose, whereas the mister proved too “squirrelly” and kept flying off right as I was ready to click the shutter.

And, in case you were wondering, Herself is on the job, keeping track of all the comings and goings…

Peace to you. Make today one filled with happy memories!