Monday's parting shot

From Tompkins Square Park today... expect to see more splooting squirrels in the days ahead as the heatwave continues. 

The city has a map of outdoor cooling options (including spray showers and drinking fountains) at Cool It! NYC and a Cool Options map.

Today in thieving squirrels in Tompkins Square Park

Photos by Steven 

Caught in the act...

The piebald squirrel of Tompkins Square Park

Photos by Steven 

In recent months, there have been sightings of a squirrel with a dappled mix of white, brown and grey —or maybe you see blue and black. (Jeremiah Moss first shared an image of the squirrel on Instagram in late December). 

 

We don't recall seeing it before then... what's known as a piebald squirrel... Steven took these photos yesterday...

Per AZ Animals: "White squirrels are a genetic rarity caused by either albinism or leucism. Although there are over two million Eastern grey squirrels in North America, piebald — also known as pied or leucistic — squirrels make up a small fraction of the total squirrel population." 

The site says that if you see one, "then you can consider yourself lucky."

Thursday's parting shot

Photo by Steven 

Squirrel caught in the act while trying to mess with Amelia, one of the resident red-tailed hawks in Tompkins Square Park today...

Saturday's parting shots (aka, squirrel plays possum in Tompkins Square Park)

Photos by Steven 

Earlier today, some Tompkins Square Parkgoers were concerned that the squirrel in the tree (above!) had died... But! In a moment, the squirrel rolled over and opened its eyes...

Updated:

Thanks to the readers for pointing this out... wasn't sure if splooting occurred in trees as well...

If you see a squirrel lying down like this, don't worry; it's just fine. On hot days, squirrels keep cool by splooting (stretching out) on cool surfaces to reduce body heat. It is sometimes referred to as heat dumping. pic.twitter.com/pD1T3lPbBH

— NYC Parks (@NYCParks) August 9, 2022

Today in photos of a sparrow and squirrel sharing a loaf of sourdough in Tompkins Square Park

Heading into the Fourth of July holiday weekend with the picnic pic so far of the summer... Goggla spotted the squirrel and sparrow breaking bread in Tompkins Square Park. 

Before the sparrow joined the feast, the squirrel was digging out the insides ...

 

Previously on EV Grieve:
• What other photos of squirrels eating things can we post?

• Meanwhile, a squirrel with a coconut drink this morning in Tompkins Square Park

• Today in photos of squirrels carb loading in Tompkins Square Park

Afternoon cute squirrel photo break

From Tompkins Square Park today ... courtesy of Steven...

Today's photos of a squirrel eating an apple in Tompkins Square Park

As part of the periodic Squirrels Being Adorable series, we present this squirrel's healthy choice today in Tompkins Square Park... photos by Steven...

Previously on EV Grieve:
• What other photos of squirrels eating things can we post?

• Meanwhile, a squirrel with a coconut drink this morning in Tompkins Square Park

• Today in photos of squirrels carb loading in Tompkins Square Park

Local squirrel feeling just peachy

In the periodic squirrels being adorable series, Goggla spotted this scene in Tompkins Squirrel Square Park... a squirrel snacking on an empty cup of diced peaches ...



Some narrative: "He got a little too enthusiastic licking the cup and dropped it, only to go all the way down the tree, pick it up and carry it up to a higher spot...where he dropped it again."

Previously on EV Grieve:
• What other photos of squirrels eating things can we post?

• Meanwhile, a squirrel with a coconut drink this morning in Tompkins Square Park

• Today in photos of squirrels carb loading in Tompkins Square Park

Today in photos of a squirrel eating tomato sauce from a can in Tompkins Square Park

Cute alert! Thanks to Eden for the photos...



Previously on EV Grieve:
• What other photos of squirrels eating things can we post?

• Meanwhile, a squirrel with a coconut drink this morning in Tompkins Square Park

• Today in photos of squirrels carb loading in Tompkins Square Park

Thursday's parting shot

In Tompkins Square Park, Christo, the male red-tailed hawk, busts a squirrel for being sneaky.

Photo by Steven.

Noted

Apparently Fresh Direct has expanded its delivery service to include squirrels in Tompkins Square Park... photos via EVG Squirrels-Doing-Cute-Things Correspondent Steven...

This afternoon in squirrel photos

From Tompkins Square Park today, riachung00 shares this photo of a (the?) blond-tailed squirrel...



... one of the elusive members of the Park's wildlife, a group that includes the black crowned night heron and opossum (and I don't know what happened to the oppossum).

Pre-storm prep in Tompkins Square Park

Ahead of Harper's arrival this weekend, the squirrels of Tompkins Square Park are stocking up on essentials, including peanuts ... peanut butter ... bananas ... pizza ... Hershey's Cocoa ... Toaster Strudel ... coconut drinks ... and don't forget spoons.

Photo today by Derek Berg.

Looking for a ping-pong partner in Tompkins Square Park

Liking pecans, walnuts and hazelnuts a plus. Photo this afternoon by Steven...

The Squirrel Whisperer

Photos of Naomi in Tompkins Square Park this morning by Steven...

Thursday's parting shot

A little late to be storing for winter? Photo in Tompkins Square Park today via Steven...

Thursday's parting shot

[Click on image for a better view]

Photo in Tompkins Square Park by Steven...

Meanwhile, a squirrel with a coconut drink this morning in Tompkins Square Park

Photo this morning by Steven

Wednesday's parting shots

Photos today in Tompkins Square Park by Bobby Williams.

... and likely a more economical move by the squirrel than storing single nuts...