≡ Menu

Western Gray Squirrel – Camera Critters #35

Western Gray Squirrel photo by Larry Jordan

The Western Gray Squirrel is the largest native tree squirrel in the western coastal United States.  They are about 12 inches from head to toe with an additional 12 inch, very bushy tail.  They feed mainly on seeds and nuts, particularly pine seeds and acorns.  Pine nuts and acorns are considered critical foods because they are very high in oil and moderately high in carbohydrates, increasing the development of the squirrel’s body fat.

Some backyard birders (and non-birders) consider squirrels a nuisance.  Others enjoy watching their crazy antics.  Stay tuned for my next post on squirrels, love ’em or hate ’em.  And catch the other Camera Critters posts.

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • SaraG December 6, 2008, 9:27 pm

    very cool photo of the squirrel!!

    SaraGs last blog post..Camera Critters

  • Mickala (Busy Mom in Iowa) December 6, 2008, 10:03 pm

    Awww…the squirrel is so adorable!! Thanks for visiting my blog….and yes, he’s a beagle…100% beagle!!

    Mickala (Busy Mom in Iowa)s last blog post..Camera Critters 12/6

  • Tink *~*~* December 6, 2008, 10:08 pm

    hey Larry, that’s a plump squirrel you have there – I predict a COLD winter! 🙂

    Tink *~*~*

    Tink *~*~*s last blog post..Santa in the Sky! at the Tween Waters Inn, Captiva, Florida

  • Debbie December 6, 2008, 10:59 pm

    I love watching the gray squirrels in my yard. Wonderful photo!

    Debbies last blog post..Camera Critters #35

  • Grammy December 6, 2008, 11:11 pm

    I love your photo. I raises a few of those from hairless baby’s in my day.
    This is my first time on Camera critters.
    Have a great week.
    Grammy

    Grammys last blog post..Hot chicks

  • kayleen December 6, 2008, 11:41 pm

    Count me among the ones who think they are cute. Nice shot!

    kayleens last blog post..Camera Critters

  • magiceye December 6, 2008, 11:56 pm

    dont know why but your picture just does not load on my browser 🙁

    magiceyes last blog post..Camera Critters

  • Natural Moments December 7, 2008, 1:45 am

    When I get the chance to see them, I enjoy watching the Western Gray Squirrels. There are a lot more Douglas Squirrels in this paticular region than Gray’s probably because there are more conifers than deciduous trees here in Northwestern Washington State. But we do have them.

    Natural Momentss last blog post..The Upper Methow Valley Near Winthrop, WA

  • Kerri December 7, 2008, 5:14 am

    I love squirrels! He sure is a cutie!! We have LOTS of them around this area, but not near my bird feeders, thank goodness!

    Kerris last blog post..Camera Critters – A Butterfly in December

  • June December 7, 2008, 5:28 am

    You took quite the risk taking this shot…very vulnerable it seems to me 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Spatter. The barred owl was in captivity at Homosassa Springs, FL No caging…just a walled barrier… so I’m guessing wings were clipped. I’m not sure he was thinking I’m glad I can fly, but rather, I wish I could!

    Junes last blog post..Camera Critters – Barred Owl

  • sandy December 7, 2008, 6:11 am

    Right now we have an elusive albino in our park- I loved the gray and flying growing up then an affinity for the black in Canada..

    sandys last blog post..How the two Aussie Joeys David and Archie came to the U. S.

  • Lisa's Chaos December 7, 2008, 7:00 am

    I truly have mixed emotions towards them. Last year we only had one squirrel that would wonder through our yard and he/she was pretty fun to watch – this year I’ve seen as many as 5 at one time and refilled the feeder twice in a day, so I get a little ticked at them from time to time. But then laugh at them at times as well. 🙂 Looks like that one was trying to make you believe it wasn’t there. 🙂

    Lisa’s Chaoss last blog post..Soft and Hard (Opposites attract?)

  • Gretchen December 7, 2008, 12:05 pm

    What a beautiful photo!

    Gretchens last blog post..Camera Critters

  • fishing guy December 7, 2008, 8:18 pm

    Larry: What a nice capture of the squirrel in that tree.

    fishing guys last blog post..Today’s Flowers #18

  • animtreebird December 8, 2008, 6:21 am

    Very beautiful animal. Nice photo. :)))

    animtreebirds last blog post..Crimson-Breasted Barbet

  • Kallen305 December 8, 2008, 7:45 pm

    I have grown to accept them. I too have as many as five of them in my yard at onte time and now I have tree stumps and trays scattered throughout my yard with their own food to eat. It has worked out pretty well, but they can still be little stinkers at times.

    I can’t stay mad at them for long though, because they are funny little critters.

    Kallen305s last blog post..A day on the trail

  • Cathy December 8, 2008, 10:07 pm

    You’re right–squirrels can be little stinkers, but I still love ’em!

    Cathys last blog post..Sunday the Sun Rose Over Phoenix

  • Willard December 9, 2008, 4:05 am

    Larry,
    Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting. It is much appreciated.

    I would fall in the ranks of the squirrel enthusiast, but unfortunately I have few good photos of them–a situation which I need to remedy.

    I also liked the post on the Red Shouldered Hawk. I have not seen them yet. Our most common haws are the red-tailed, cooper’s hawk, and kestrel

    Willards last blog post..Camera Critters: An Old Friend Is Gone