As a homeowner, I had no love for squirrels or chipmunks when it meant the cardinals, robins, titmice and other birds had no seed to eat when they made it to the feeders. In mid August, I downsized into an apartment. An old evergreen tree gives my top floor unit privacy. The tree is as tall as the three story building and has branches touching the deck. Moving in, I noticed a large nest in the tree at eye level and within arms’ reach and was curious to learn what type of bird lived there.

In late August I noticed a squirrel on the deck. He splayed himself out all four paws at right angles to his body and lay there for hours. Quite the social fellow after that, with daily appearances, he wasn’t all that entertaining to watch. It was funny to see him walk from the branch to the deck and splay out, but only funny for so long.  Perhaps the previous owner fed him and he was actually dying of starvation because I wasn’t picking up the slack. Maybe he was sick and was spending his last days in view of someone who would notice his passing. While pondering different scenarios I decided to name him “Stanley.”

After a few days I began amusing myself with one sided conversation.

“Hi, Stanley, another rough day at the office, huh? Climbing that tree has to be grueling.”

I couldn’t tell if his deadpan stare was an indication he didn’t like his name, or if he was less than amused with my wit.

After a couple of chilly early September evenings, I noticed Stanley was actually working on the nest! It hadn’t occurred to me until I actually saw him packing pine needles and evergreen scraps, that it was actually HIS nest. I never knew squirrels lived in tree nests. Chipmunks don’t.

“Stanley, that’s a cool condo you have there!” I loved realizing it was his home.

After a few days of watching him work for hours, I thought maybe he knew something I didn’t about impending cold weather. Doing a little research on the Internet I learned gray squirrels live alone. They only co habit if it’s especially cold and they want to. So why was he insulating his condo now?

After not seeing Stanley for at least three days I wondered if he had run away, had gotten hit by a car, or if he was just sleeping away the much needed rainy weather.

Then there was the day that I walked to the deck in the early morning, as was my routine.  “Are you back yet, Stanley?” Not expecting a response, I was shocked to see a head pop up.

“Stanley! How are you?” It felt like Christmas. I was so excited to see him again. Then a second head popped up.

“Oh! Stanley! Found yourself a girlfriend, huh?” I gave him a side wink.

Then a third head popped up. “Stanley, I’m not even going there with you.” I was turning for my computer to research squirrels having multiple partners, when all three squirrels came running across the tree and onto my deck. My mouth fell open. I watched the activity. Then I started to laugh. One squirrel was larger than the other two.

“No wonder you were so annoyed with your name, Stanley. You’re a girl!”

Stanley was really “Juanita,” a mother in fact. Two days later Juanita and her four babies came onto the deck. The youngsters investigated what they could. A couple tried getting milk from her, but she would grab them and preen them and not let them nurse. Weaning happens between seven and 10 weeks, so they were born in late July, I guessed.

I photographed and watched them for a few hours. The babies were awkward and curious, each with a different personality. I only saw them as a family unit that one particular day.

Since then I’ve seen only one baby return to the deck. He's always amusing himself with his tail, gnawing at the plastic arms of a chair, and placing his paws against the screen to peer into my living room. I’ve named him “Nuthaniel.” I figure Juanita and the other three kids have relocated to different condos. Juanita probably prefers a human who knows male from female.

Regardless, I now have affection for squirrels that I never imagined possible. I can watch Nuthaniel and photograph him without getting bored. Perhaps Nuthaniel is a female. I’ll find out in the spring.

By Lisa J. Jackson, Tree Steward