18 Comments
User's avatar
Perry J. Greenbaum 🇨🇦 🦜's avatar

The more that I get to know my fellow non-human Earth companions, the more amazed I become at who they are, which often bears little resemblance to what biologists, zoologists and other animal scientists say is their behaviour.

That might explain the gap in knowledge. The scientists in their studies take an objective distant stance, which disallows seeing the squirrels, chipmunks and birds as they truly are but as objects of study.

That's truly a shame and a missed opportunity to understand more about these beautiful Earth companions.

Expand full comment
SydneyMichalski🌿NatureMoments's avatar

That's a great point! There's a big difference between aggregating species characteristics and getting to know animals! The richness truly comes in discovering all that nuance that just can't be summarized into a list of traits under a bold-face subtitle. Such a privilege, and I'm always learning so much...

Expand full comment
Neil Barker's avatar

Beautiful essay and images Sydney! I like the photos especially of the Red Squirrels. I have never seen baby Red Squirrels before. I will keeping an eye out for some this Spring!

Expand full comment
SydneyMichalski🌿NatureMoments's avatar

Thank you! They are so cute - I hope you'll notice some!

Expand full comment
Beth T (BethOfAus)'s avatar

So very special!! Such cuties. As we’ve noted before, we don’t have any cute little animals in the more built up areas of Australia, only grumpy possums and unwanted rats and mice, but our bird life get to know us very well. A cyclist will ride past and warn about a swooping magpie protecting its partner but that same bird will know me well and will warble happily when I pass. Birds and animals recognise kindred spirits just like that glorious interaction of the squirrel with your daughter. How incredibly special, a life long memory. Happy sigh. Thanks so much for another inspiring post. 🤗🤗💕

Expand full comment
SydneyMichalski🌿NatureMoments's avatar

Thanks, Beth! It’s so lovely to think of the magpie recognizing and welcoming you. It’s a beautiful thing, as we get to know our wild neighbors, and realize that they get to know us, too!💕

Expand full comment
Beth T (BethOfAus)'s avatar

I am most definitely part of the native fauna. Grin. Australian magpies in particular are very social creatures and I am part of quite a few local flocks as far as I can tell. All the best dear Sydney.

Expand full comment
Lindsay Hartley's avatar

Aww, love it all, especially your daughter and the squirrel. So special.

Expand full comment
SydneyMichalski🌿NatureMoments's avatar

Thank you! All the babies are the cutest :)

Expand full comment
Cindy Ojczyk's avatar

I am so excited for your daughter that you captured her encounter with the squirrel. She will be so thankful to have participated in something so unique and wonderful!

Expand full comment
SydneyMichalski🌿NatureMoments's avatar

Thank you! Yes, it's such a special memory!

Expand full comment
Timber Fox's avatar

Lovely read and photos, thank you. I just saw a Yellow-bellied sapsucker dining on ants the other day. I'll be sharing the video soon.

Expand full comment
SydneyMichalski🌿NatureMoments's avatar

Thank you! How very cool, I look forward to seeing it!

Expand full comment
Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

Wonderful post. Love it!

Expand full comment
SydneyMichalski🌿NatureMoments's avatar

Thank you!

Expand full comment
mahesh pherwani's avatar

Oh...the squirrel and your daughter 🦋🐌🫂💗💙🙏🏻🧘🏻‍♀️🌌

Expand full comment
SydneyMichalski🌿NatureMoments's avatar

Aren't they the cutest? Thanks for reading, Mahesh!

Expand full comment
Paolo Peralta's avatar

What a beautiful exploration ❤️

Expand full comment