Albino Squirrels
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Long ago, there was a semi-tame albino squirrel who frequented the campgrounds of Juniper Springs, Florida. We had peanuts for him, and with patience he would take the peanut from an outstretched hand. In those days, before I became a slave to the office, I had a great deal of patience, especially with animals. One day when I was feeding the white squirrel, he ran up my arm and sat on my shoulder. I was so pleased.
Not far from Juniper, I had another notable squirrel experience on a camping trip. My sister and I had had a rough night which ended with chunks of skin clawed out of my forearms because, apparently, I was on her side of the mattress (asleep). When daylight broke, I got far enough away from the campsite that I wouldn't have to listen to her voice, or my parents, or anyone else. I was angry and hurt as I sat down to pout. I noticed a squirrel in the huge Live Oak tree I sat beneath. No...wait...not one squirrel but several, many, dozens...all leaping and chasing and playing. The entire tree was alive with squirrels. Perhaps their activity was a prelude to mating, but I never saw any pause long enough to mate.
The whole vision was beautiful. The oak tree was massive with well-balanced limbs. The squirrels knew every inch of the tree. The entire tree was in motion at all times. If I stopped focusing on individual squirrels, I could see the whole tree come alive, like looking just to the side of a star in the skys to see it. I was spellbound. To this day, it is still one of the most beautiful natural sights I have ever witnessed, and I've seen quite a few!!
Albino Squirrel Preservation Society
Not far from Juniper, I had another notable squirrel experience on a camping trip. My sister and I had had a rough night which ended with chunks of skin clawed out of my forearms because, apparently, I was on her side of the mattress (asleep). When daylight broke, I got far enough away from the campsite that I wouldn't have to listen to her voice, or my parents, or anyone else. I was angry and hurt as I sat down to pout. I noticed a squirrel in the huge Live Oak tree I sat beneath. No...wait...not one squirrel but several, many, dozens...all leaping and chasing and playing. The entire tree was alive with squirrels. Perhaps their activity was a prelude to mating, but I never saw any pause long enough to mate.
The whole vision was beautiful. The oak tree was massive with well-balanced limbs. The squirrels knew every inch of the tree. The entire tree was in motion at all times. If I stopped focusing on individual squirrels, I could see the whole tree come alive, like looking just to the side of a star in the skys to see it. I was spellbound. To this day, it is still one of the most beautiful natural sights I have ever witnessed, and I've seen quite a few!!
Albino Squirrel Preservation Society
