CeeCee‘s comment about squirrels eating her sunflowers prompted me to do some Lenny research over the weekend.
Turns out, Lenny’s a rock squirrel. Apparently, they’re considered a nuisance to many folks here… so much so that the New Mexico State University College of Agriculture published this: Controlling Rock Squirrel Damage in New Mexico.
Yikes. Poor Lenny.
Hmm… makes me wonder… have I been blaming the wrong four-leggeds for eating my flowers?
Morning Bray Farm 
September 7, 2010 at 3:35 am
Not only do they eat flowers and rob your bird feeders, but given the opportunity, they will get up inside the eaves in your house and barn and set up residence. One did that many moons ago and we shot it. Didn’t even want to pick up the carcass, it was so infested with fleas. They’re cute, but…
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September 7, 2010 at 5:53 am
Well, Lenny’s a handsome little pest and very photogenic, too!
Perhaps you could just plant him some extra sacrifice plants next year so there are plenty for everyone to enjoy in their own personal way?
(Yeah, I know, I feed the wild rabbits all winter and then chase them out of my flower gardens all summer…just can’t stand to see any critter go hungry on my watch.)
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September 7, 2010 at 6:43 am
how you get such up close pics of wild animals (esp those hummingbirds) amazes me! fun pics!
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September 7, 2010 at 7:02 am
Lenny seems to be doing wonderfully on his diet of flowers. He’s the picture of health. 🙂
In looking at him, I’d never guess he’s a ground squirrel. I’m glad you figured out who the culprit is.
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September 7, 2010 at 7:25 am
My heart has always gone out to the “problem children”…..I believe there’s hope for Lenny too!
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September 7, 2010 at 7:40 am
The cute ones are always the trouble makers. 🙂
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September 7, 2010 at 7:41 am
Oh, look at those wee little paws and whiskers.
I agree with C in WI: maybe you could plant some Lenny flowers.
Try marigolds as border plants – most critters avoid those. Or maybe Rosemary.
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September 7, 2010 at 7:52 am
They can also be heck on irrigation ditches. They burrow everywhere and the next thing you know you have water going where you don’t want it!
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September 7, 2010 at 8:32 am
I had written something and then deleted it. I didn’t want to sound too negative on your sweet blog, but ground squirrels are just rats in nicer clothes around here. Don’t let Lenny move his girlfriend in….On the other hand, nice pics:-)
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September 7, 2010 at 8:57 am
For being such a pest he sure has a great looking coat of hair. Maybe you could sell Davy Crocket hats?
Di
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September 7, 2010 at 9:08 am
Yup, I agree, plant some extras for Lenny. It’s a win win situation for all of you. 🙂 He sure is a handsome fellow.
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September 7, 2010 at 2:26 pm
Chili powder or Cayenne pepper sprinkled liberally in the dirt around your plants would probably work as well… keeps squirrels out of my planters, at least.
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September 7, 2010 at 5:45 pm
I’m astounded at how close you were able to get to lil’ Lennie also! I realize you’re probably using a zoom lens, but the squirrels around here are so skittish that I can NEVER catch them just standing around.
Great shots!
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September 8, 2010 at 4:35 pm
So lovely! You took great photos! Well done!
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