We live in the woods and one of the best things about it is the wildlife. I've posted pictures before of the birdfeeder outside my sewing room window before. I love the blue jay that calls me to task every morning if the feeder is empty. I love the dozen goldfinches that crowd together and cling to the feeder until another one flies in and pushes it off. I know it is winter when the joncos show up.
So when we came home after having gotten breakfast out after the storm we were surprised that there were no birds on the feeder.
The feeder was moving around but I couldn't see why until I got closer. There were no birds on the feeder because there was a chipmunk IN the feeder. Not only was he in it but he had put so many sunflower seeds in his cheek pouches that he couldn't get out. A bit worse than not being able to button your jeans after Thanksgiving dinner. Could this be a warning for me from the universe?
Eventually he spit enough seeds out to escape the way he came in - through one of the square holes. I thought that would be the end of it but there is a learning curve for chipmunks (ahem...and people) and later that day he was back hanging on the outside of the feeder with his head inside the cage.
Of course, once he had his cheeks full he couldn't pull his head back out that way either. You could see his pea sized brain work. Should I go all the way in or back out? Finally he braced his tiny feet against the feeder and pulled and tugged and wiggled and squirmed. Nope, just like Winnie the Pooh he was stuck fast.
His little body sagged and I thought, oh no, he has strangled himself. But he was just coming to the inevitable conclusion... then he spit out his seeds and climbed down.
