Squirrels in My Backyard

At the beginning of the last summer, my husband and I put up a Squirrel Bungee and I lost hours watching them play with the dried corn hanging from our tree!


These squirrels live in our backyard and we are unsure of whether or not they are Fox Squirrels or Eastern Grey Squirrels. My hypothesis is that they are a hybrid of the two and I will explain my reasoning for that idea:

Neither of the two species are native to the Pacific Northwest and are primarily found in residential areas and city parks. Gray squirrels are described as having a grayish coat and a more square jawline with an exceptionally bushy tail. Fox squirrels are described as having a more reddish coat and a slightly thinner tail with a very pointy face. But Fox Squirrels have a more yellow belly fur while Gray Squirrels have bright white belly fur.

The squirrels in our yard do not fit either of the descriptions and could, at the same time, fit either description.

I love them, no matter what they are, but if anyone has more information, I am more than willing to learn!

The Olympic Golden Crested Chipmunk

This chipmunk is only found in the Olympic National Forest of the Washington Peninsula. They are distinct in that their stripes start on their nose and continue all the way down to the base of their tail.

I met this chipmunk while on a journey to the Deer Park campsite in the Olympic National Forest. He and two of his friends decided I made a good playground for a few hours and climbed all over me!