Too Close for Comfort
The ducks and squirrels that reside at Lake Murray are apparently starving. It seems that for the past 60 days, no one has been feeding them an entire loaf of bread every single day. Come on now - where's the generosity? Are my two little rascals the only ones that feed those poor ducks and go on squirrel hunts to feed the squirrels?
What are the signs that they are starving you ask? And why have we not been to the lake in 60 days? Well let me explain. The past 60 days I have been doing my INSANITY workout. I figured I would be burning way too many calories if I were doing that intense of a workout in addition to the running, so we have not been to Lake Murray. Oh, and I've been a baby about the "cold" weather. I simply haven't had the motivation to go in the 50-60 degree weather, wind and rain. Give me 72-80 and I'm perfectly content. Heck, I'll still go out there if it's 100 degrees - I have and probably will this summer. But, I hate being cold. Hate it. So needless to say, we have not been feeding the ducks or going on squirrel hunts.
Today was beautiful. It was perfect. I have been waiting for today all week, because I noticed the temperature was predicted to be in the high 70's. After work, I changed into my running clothes and headed to my favorite destination (you know, besides Disneyland). A loaf of bread in hand, I put together the stroller and the boys and I were off. We made it to our special spot and I think the ducks saw us coming. I have a bench that I sit on, while the boy's walk towards the water, about 10 feet in front of me. It's perfect because I can sit and enjoy watching their excitement, replenishing their bread when needed, but all the while remaining behind the action. Today, we literally couldn't get off the bench.
First, the ducks came running (or waddling, to be more accurate) and then the squirrels spotted us. Typically there will maybe be 2 squirrels that peep in and out of the bushes, as they tend to be more skittish. But today, there had to be at least 20. It was like a herd of squirrels. I literally couldn't even put my feet on the ground because they were swarming so close. I wanted to scream. In fact, I probably did a little.
I noticed most of the squirrels had patches of hair missing all over their little bodies. Silas asked me if they were sick. I was curious about it until I saw what they were doing. The ducks and squirrels were literally fighting over the food, yanking it from one another's mouths. There was lots of chasing and stealing of food. I. was. floored. I don't mean they were having a little scuffle. I mean exactly what I said - they were fighting. That loaf of bread could not have been dispersed fast enough. I wanted to throw the entire thing in one direction and run for my life. Ducks, squirrels and birds are cute and all, but not when they're right at your feet attacking each other for the food in your hands. No bueno.
On the way to the car Silas asked if we could go on a squirrel hunt tomorrow. He then told me, "Momma, to go on a real hunt you need a gun. Maybe we need a gun for our squirrel hunt." I couldn't agree with him more. I can tell you one thing - if I do have the guts to go back out there, I will not get myself stranded on that bench again, that's for sure.
So in all this, I was left wondering - have these ducks and squirrels become dependent on our food? I sure hope not. If so, they better get their act together and be a little more civilized, or we will NOT be gracing them with our presence - or our food, again. My children's safety is of the utmost concern. I. do. not. want. them. bitten. by. a. stinkin'. squirrel. THE END.
p.s. These photos do NO justice to the closeness of said squirrels. I was too afraid for my life to get closer shots.
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| Hiding under the stroller |
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