38 Comments
User's avatar
Emily Charlotte Powell's avatar

This is completely adorable Sydney. Thank you for sharing. I always need some furry cuteness in my days. I could almost feel the little chipmunk 🐿️ in my own hands with your description 💛

Expand full comment
SydneyMichalski🌿NatureMoments's avatar

Thank you and I’m so glad! I was doing my best to describe it just the way I could feel it in my own memory, so I’m especially glad to hear that came across to you :) Imagine it any time you need a smile 🐿️🤣

Expand full comment
Emily Charlotte Powell's avatar

I’m thinking of it again now as I write this! Absolutely lovely 💛💛

Expand full comment
prue batten's avatar

Blown away. The absolute trust!

Expand full comment
SydneyMichalski🌿NatureMoments's avatar

Yes, you really feel that when they place their little paw on your, it'll just steal your heart 💕

Expand full comment
Daniela's avatar

What a lovely, wholesome post. The chipmunk video made my day!

Expand full comment
SydneyMichalski🌿NatureMoments's avatar

Thank you, I'm so glad! "wholesome" is a great word for it, that is like the chipmunk's entire personality 🤣

Expand full comment
Arundathi John's avatar

Wow. So adorable and so lovely 😍 thank you for sharing

Expand full comment
Tara's avatar

My week has been like yours. Thanks so much for this heart-warming post.

Expand full comment
SydneyMichalski🌿NatureMoments's avatar

I'm so glad it was there for you at the right time :) Life has its ups and down - it's good to have some tried-and-true comforts to turn to, and an emotional support chipmunk is hard to beat, even in digital format 🤣 I hope you'll be emerging from the weighted blanket into something lighter-weight soon 💕

Expand full comment
Amie McGraham's avatar

“Chipmunks are absolutely polite” this makes my day.

Expand full comment
SydneyMichalski🌿NatureMoments's avatar

🤣 I'm so glad! Chipmunks are good for that :)

Expand full comment
Rebecca Holden's avatar

Another gorgeous post, Sydney! I remember a trip to NYC when I was eight - I adored the chipmunks we saw in Central Park, having never seen anything like them.

Over here in UK the vast majority of the squirrel population is made up of greys - they came to our shores as a US import courtesy of Victorian travellers - but there are still some small communities of native British reds on some of the islands and in remote areas of northern England and Scotland. They're adorable!

https://rebeccaholden.substack.com/p/56-going-nuts-a-nature-story

Expand full comment
SydneyMichalski🌿NatureMoments's avatar

Thank you! I’m so glad you got to meet some chipmunks while in NYC! They were wonderful ambassadors, I’m sure 🤣 We have frequent reds (minus the fun pointy ears of your variety), and just the occasional grey. Greys still dominate the reds in person, but there are so many more reds…So interesting how these things unfold. Thanks for sharing the link to your letter, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about your red squirrel adventures! Anyone who’s willing to impromptu-camp in hopes of seeing more cute rare squirrels is okay in my book 💕

Expand full comment
Rebecca Holden's avatar

Oh, the chipmunks were amazing - I was obsessed! I only wish I'd got as close as you had in your incredible video, which was absolutely amazing! 🐿️

Expand full comment
Coffee Times's avatar

Thank you for sharing this uplifting and cozy moment. It's so refreshing to hear about the connection with these furry creatures and the joy they bring, especially during heavy weeks. A lovely reminder to appreciate the small, heartwarming connections that nature can offer, even during challenging times. May these cute-and-cuddly escapes continue to bring moments of joy and warmth to your corner of the world!

Expand full comment
SydneyMichalski🌿NatureMoments's avatar

I'm so glad you enjoyed it, and that you took a moment to let these cute-and-cuddly little characters into your world, too :)

Expand full comment
Maria Hanley's avatar

Oh my goodness, that video. I want to cuddle a chipmunk! I love this so much, as I do all the moments you share. This is exactly what I needed this week. Thank you.

Expand full comment
SydneyMichalski🌿NatureMoments's avatar

Right? 🤣 Yay, I'm so glad to hear that, thank you!

Expand full comment
Gary Spangler's avatar

Just darn delightful, Sydney. I must confess to the smidgeon of jealousy Lindsay Hartley attested to. While formerly a common part of life growing up in NW Pennsylvania, 53 years in Tallahassee have erased such sightings from my life. My consolation is an occasional sighting of albino grey squirrels and with similar infrequency, Sherman’s Fox Squirrels. Likely to only be spotted in Florida and Georgia. Many thanks.

Expand full comment
SydneyMichalski🌿NatureMoments's avatar

Thank you! And oh darn, chipmunk envy 😂 It’s true, squirrels are wonderful (and yours are very special!), but chipmunks are rather a special breed of extra-cute. It’s a good reminder to me never to take them for granted :) I did miss them when we had to spend some time in TX. :)

Expand full comment
Beth T (BethOfAus)'s avatar

Oh my goodness!! That video!!! There is never a wrong time for that. Absolutely adorable!!! Such cute, tiny little creatures! We don’t have squirrels or chipmunks over here in Australia, so that is SUCH a delight. Thank you so much. I sincerely hope that your ‘heaviness’ lifts soon. There is so much in this world to be thankful for. Sending heaps of hugs and best wishes. 🤗🤗😘😘💕💕

Expand full comment
SydneyMichalski🌿NatureMoments's avatar

Aw, thank you, yes cute-and-cuddliness is very good therapy for heaviness, so that was just what I needed to be writing about :) I’m so glad you enjoyed it and that I got to share these furry critters with you! What’s your favorite common furry wildlife in your area? Hugs back!🤗

Expand full comment
Beth T (BethOfAus)'s avatar

Ummm... Birds. The only little creatures I can think of are mice and rats and I’m really not a big fan of them. There are big growly possums around at night where I’m housesitting but they’re not exactly cute and cuddly. So yeah, I’ll stick to birds. 🫤☺️

Expand full comment
SydneyMichalski🌿NatureMoments's avatar

🤣 Can't disagree with you there! I find it strangely hilarious that your little wild furrballs are mainly grumps or nuisances...Birds are so good, though, they'll do!🤣

Expand full comment
Beth T (BethOfAus)'s avatar

Typical Aussies. Full of character. Grin.

Expand full comment
James Murdock's avatar

Wonderful description (and images) of chipmunks feeding! One of my favorite creatures.

Expand full comment
SydneyMichalski🌿NatureMoments's avatar

Thank you so much! Same, of course :)

Expand full comment
Neil Barker's avatar

Awesome post Sydney and like the 2 photos of the Red Squirrel and the Gray Squirrel. Good to see the Chipmunk is able to get some snacks as well! That video is great. :)

Expand full comment
SydneyMichalski🌿NatureMoments's avatar

Thanks so much! These guys are so much fun to watch and interact with :)

Expand full comment
Dave Karpowicz's avatar

Just what I needed this afternoon. Thank you. D

Expand full comment
SydneyMichalski🌿NatureMoments's avatar

So glad to hear!

Expand full comment
Lindsay Hartley's avatar

Aww. Love this! Jealous, too, as we don't have chipmucks in my neck of the woods, and my experience with handfeeding squirrels is the same as yours! Nippy nippy! Gave up on that one pretty quick. lol Thanks so much for sharing.

Expand full comment
SydneyMichalski🌿NatureMoments's avatar

Thanks! What is it with squirrels, huh? Our little juicy fingers just look too tempting to them, I guess :)

Expand full comment
Sandy S's avatar

Chipmunk video is a keeper! 🤗

Expand full comment