It was another beautiful day in northern Alabama, temps in the 50's and nary a cloud in the sky.
It was time to go out and see about these Bluebird nest boxes in the yards.
For some reason, I had a feeling what I would find in the boxes and my feeling was correct. I just knew I would find Southern Flying Squirrels in them and sure enough....
Did you see two in the photo above???
I was feeling guilty that I had disturbed these daytime sleepers but was so excited to watch that one on the top of the box jump and glide to a tree nearby. I closed up the box and headed for box number two. Remember, this is the one with the Autumn Clematis that was devoured by the beetle bugs. Inside the materials were different...lots of Pine needles for this house. 
Could they be any more CUTE!!!
Did you see two in the photo above???
I was feeling guilty that I had disturbed these daytime sleepers but was so excited to watch that one on the top of the box jump and glide to a tree nearby. I closed up the box and headed for box number two. Remember, this is the one with the Autumn Clematis that was devoured by the beetle bugs. Inside the materials were different...lots of Pine needles for this house. 
Could they be any more CUTE!!!There were three in this box and I was prepared to take pictures if they flew...
...which they did! But it isn't easy getting photos of the little dare devils. They dive off the top of the box to the bottom of a little tree...climb to the top of the little tree and DIVE....
...and GLIDE....
The second one went so quick I just got the GLIDE.
Number three, thought....
...and DOVE...
...and scurried...
...and DOVE....
...and GLIDE(ed)...
Ready to make the climb to the top.
Now, I have to say so sorry for disturbing your sleep little guys, but now that I know you're there I can start to formulate a plan for my Bluebirds. I guess I'll have to build more boxes, and put them down in the field by the road. Hopefully nature will balance out in the end.
...which they did! But it isn't easy getting photos of the little dare devils. They dive off the top of the box to the bottom of a little tree...climb to the top of the little tree and DIVE....
...and GLIDE....
The second one went so quick I just got the GLIDE.
Number three, thought....
...and DOVE...
...and scurried...
...and DOVE....
...and GLIDE(ed)...
Ready to make the climb to the top.
Now, I have to say so sorry for disturbing your sleep little guys, but now that I know you're there I can start to formulate a plan for my Bluebirds. I guess I'll have to build more boxes, and put them down in the field by the road. Hopefully nature will balance out in the end.You may click on the title to read about Flying Squirrels in Alabama.
27 comments:
What wonderful, adorable creatures. I've only seen one in real life when I lived in North Carolina. I used to come out and eat at my birdfeeder at night. Thanks so much for sharing these! Will you let them stay the winter?
Hey, hey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is outstanding, Eve!!! I've only seen flying squirrels in cages as my friends trapped those in their house and relocated them. But wow!!! Looks like you'll have to build more bluebird houses, eh?! Time for another visit to your mountain for this city gal! GREAT pics - those were hard to get!
Amazing pictures Eve! You even caught them in flight.
They could not be cuter.
Hi Genny! Thanks for stopping. So THAT'S who's eating my birdseed at night!! hahahaha!
Hi Debi! Come on over! There's always something fun to photograph here.
Hi Lynne. I didn't do the best job in the world but I think not too bad!
Oh my gosh they're like little UFO's flying through the air! LOL! My eyes lit up when I saw this post!
We had a flying squirrel last summer that used to come to our feeder at night too. The darned thing wasn't even afraid of us! My husband heard they make good pets but he won't be one of ours anytime soon. My next door neighbor caught it in her Chipmunk trap but let it go when she realized what she had.
So now what Eve? Did you give them the heave-ho? Or can they come back to the Bluebird boxes?
Hi Sharon! No I couldn't evict them. I think they were here first! I just wish they would eat those darn beetle bugs!!
Oh my gosh! If that isn't the cutest thing ever! I've always wanted to see a flying squirrel! I would cheerfully let them move into my nest boxes anytime! Wow!
Eve great pictures of those little cuties! They look like the Stealths that fly over our house. That is definitely what was in our watermelon birdhouse this summer now that I see your guys/gals. We are going to try to keep the dang House Sparrows out of our Blue Bird houses this year.
Eve, those have to be the most amazing photos, well done girlfriend. What large eyes those little creatures have kinda creepy. Please keep them in your backyard, I don't need anymore critters flying around in mine.
Spectaculuar shots, Eve!!! Wow...I have never seen flying squirrels myself. Their eyes are SO big! Awww...all cuddled up in your bluebird houses. What a quandry. I'm with you, though - I'd totally let them stay! :-)
Oh my gosh, what delightful little guys! What a treat! Good job on capturing them in mid-glide. The one peeking out of the nest is adorable.
They are cute little "Critters" Evie and you got some good flying shots.
Eve, this post just made me all warm and fuzzy inside - they're so cute!!
Any kind of squirrel can be soooo cute, but at the same time in places they shouldn't be eating up all the bird seeds, but... I don't usually get rid of my grays either. Your little guys are great. I loved how you got them flying through the air and gliding. Great shots! thanks for sharing ...
Have a great day
Jalynn
Completely cute and cuddly! Wonderful post Evie, I didn't know you had anything like that there. I'm glad you're letting that stay. More bluebird boxes has got to be a good thing anyway! (-:
They are so cute!!! Thanks for sharing
What great photos. I have never seen a flying squirrel before. We don't have them here in the California Foothills. They're so cute.
That took a lot of patience to get all those pictures. Nice work!
They are SO CUTE!! You got such good pictures of them Eve, soooo adorable. I really like the one poking his face out in the first picture LOL, I wouldn't have known he was there if you didn't tell us :)
Great post!
Love your post and the pictures. I have never seen a flying squirrel before!!
Thank you for sharing.
Gisela.
Do I see some handfeeding attempts in the near future? I echo the sentiments: nice job capturing the flights ( or glides, whichever! )
Spectacular shots, Eve! And they are super cute! I love Flying Squirrels. I have seen them nest a few times in Bluebird boxes like yours. It is too bad that they are nocturnal- it would be so cool to see them flying from tree to tree during the day. Very cute photos!
Such adorable faces..you must have been excited to see them fly..I have never witnessed this but would love to someday! Neat post and you really caught some nice shots of them flying..tough assignment!
I am SO envious. Flying squirrels are just the most amazing and cutest rodents. I would have been absolutely squealing with delight had I been the one opening the bluebird boxes and seeing those little faces peeking out. What a great series of photos!
And thanks for leaving your comment about my mourning cloak butterfly!
So cool, they must be fun to watch.
I was at the motorcycle show in Chicago last weekend and purchased a new helmet, carbon fiber 2.5 lbs. after all spring is just around the corner...
I stopped by when you first posted and got distracted (probably by food) before I could post. This is a wonderful set of images. I've never seen a flying squirrel.
Thanks everyone! I'm glad you enjoyed these little critters!
That was sooo freekin cool! You are sooo lucky! I know we have them scarcely here, and I once ran across one once in the woods (it scared the crap out of me, and camera in a backpack), but you have them right freekin there! Wow! Eve, I am sooo jealous! They are the cutest, coolest critter!
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