Full confession: this probably won’t be the longest post I have ever written nor will you read anything too profound. You will not learn anything new about squirrels (at least scientifically that is) but hopefully you will leave – as I did after these sightings – with a smile on your face.
Today I would like to celebrate the sunbathing squirrels of Londolozi.
It has gotten really cold here recently (bear in mind that that’s a relative term for us here in this region of South Africa who encounter temperatures upwards of 35°C (95°F) for most parts of the year). With the winter chill that’s currently in the air combined with being on an open land rover, moving along before sunrise we can be forgiven for thinking sometimes that we’re in the middle of an Alaskan winter, but in reality if some of us were just a little less stubborn and added a few more layers then we would be a lot warmer.
The golden breath of a Birmingham Male on a cold morning as the sun starts to rise. It still took a bit of time for it to warm up.
Nevertheless, there comes a time on most mornings when the sun has had a bit of time to warm the ladscape. It’s usually around this time that we find an excuse to stop, stretch the legs and cradle a hot cup of coffee with both hands. The big jacket layer usually comes off at this stage and a sunny spot is sought to thaw out. This is one of my favourite times in the bush. The feeling of the winter sun on your back and face provides the most contented feeling, which I believe to be a crucial ingredient to a perfect winter’s day out here. On the mornings that we don’t get an opportunity to stop I almost feel cheated and that’s when I get jealous of squirrels.
A tree squirrel begins to soak in the first of the sun’s warm morning rays
A female squirrel (right) sits next to her kitten on the branch of a big Jackal berry tree. They spent quite a bit of time grooming each other this morning.
It’s not only us humans that require this dose of sunshine on these mornings, and as much as I love it I do believe squirrels love it more as is evidenced in these photos. On a few different mornings now as I have been driving around I have come across many a scurry of squirrels splayed out on the trunks of big trees. They look almost as if they are in a hypnotic state as they bask in the glorious morning rays. Some of them take turns to groom one another and others just grip onto the bark and stretch themselves out taking a moment to have a big yawn every now and then.
This look says it all and I can definitely relate
I can’t help but imagine how it must feel for them after a night of huddling close together for warmth in their respective tree holes to come out and feel that winter sun on their little bodies. It’s also very useful to us having them lying up in the trees in the morning acting as lookouts because of their distinctive alarm calls that they make when spotting a predator. It’s not always a leopard though as being the size that they are they have lots of different predators so it’s always interesting to go and investigate these alarm calls to see what’s raising the ruckus.
One is seen here poking its head out of the hole in the branch of this dead leadwood tree where it had spent the night.
This squirrel was amusing to watch as it stretched and yawned in the warm winter sun.
A very content looking squirrel spreads itself out to warm up on the trunk of a Jackal berry tree.
All of this is a great reminder to stop and take in the subtle gifts that nature has for us, like the joy and stillness that winter sunshine brings to so many. Time and time again out in the bush I am reminded that when you slow down to the pace of what’s happening around you that is when things start to work in your favour. If the squirrels are sunbathing then stop and enjoy it with them and you too will also become more aware of your surroundings and if you add a hot cup of coffee into the mix I can guarantee you will feel content.
I am not a winter person. I actually want to hibernate in winter. I think every animal including humans look for a sunny spot.
Add a little Amarula to that coffee and I am with you!!! 😂. I did not know that a baby squirrel was called a kitten or that a group of squirrels was called a scurry, so I did learn something new! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for this post. Squirrels are fun to watch and far too under-appreciated on games drives.
Sometimes it’s the little things in life that give us pleasure! Thanks for your photos and insight!
I’m thinking a “Bush coffee “ would be a good accompaniment to enjoying the sun whilst watching the squirrels. I’m entertained most days by a couple of squirrels that have made our yard their playground, running up and down the redwood tree. One has presented with a leg injury and zips around on three legs- animals are truly resilient!
Great post James, and the final paragraph is a meditation in itself!!
I like it! My husband and I with living w/our SIP… have found that sitting in our rocking chairs on our front patio with our morning brew, watching the fog back off of the ocean
and feeling then the warmth of the sun come through one of the best parts of our day… on the other hand watching the squirrels we have here in Santa Cruz steal pears off of my pear tree …. urgggggg🥴
I enjoyed this blog, James! It made me smile and reminded me of many chilly drive mornings in June and July! I associate those with coffee and a dash of Amarula – what a great way to start the day!
I must be part squirrel- when it’s cold I do the same thing – stop and bask in the sun!
Chilly in South Africa: hallo, its the hottest day of the year so far in GB. 30 degrees and bright sunshine, phew; we’re not used to this!
Thank you James, lovely pictures, especially the eyes shut, big s t r e t c h one, quite cat-like. I’ve just come in from my own sunbathing in my garden – not a cloud in the sky and about 28C where we live in southern England – and it’s my birthday (hurrah!) So never mind hot coffee here, it’s been a nice glass (or 2) of cold wine.
James, what a beautiful blog – I never knew who knew squirrels that was resting in Jackel Berry Tree🤗
Dear James, I do think that your article is quite profound and it is lovely to read something about those little guys that can be so funny. I love your photos, too!
love it!! Victoria
African winter’s day beautifully explained, with feeling!
I can relate to this, now living in Malta where ‘Wild life’ is scarce to say the least and most bird life is sadly destroyed by the constant hunting seasons, anything, no matter how small it is, is a pleasure. I can spend hours watching a hummingbird moth, my resident geckos and the ever present sparrows and Sardinian Warblers.
A couple of European Red Squirrels are living on the tree in front our reading room, was always funny to watch them
Loved this blog, James. But then I am very partial to the Tree Squirrels we have so often seen in the Bush when on holiday – usually in the area of our chalet. Delightful little animals. Thank you for this lovely restful article! Lock Down is definitely time for being lazy on coldish Winter days! Cheers. Wendy M
Great to see your post James! Love seeing you in the videos too! It is about the little guys sometimes and we agree with you on the morning coffee stops!
Squirrels are fun to watch and I too do a lot of basking in the winter sun! Great pictures, thanks for the blog
We can all relate to that warm up, lol! Feels so good!