Little Round Mound

As I walked to the Natatorium one day last week,

I saw this little round mound sitting atop 

the little round mound of a berm, chowing down on an acorn.

I think this squirrel is too chubby to be a male, 

and is, instead, a female preparing for her accouchement 

a few weeks from now inside her fur-lined nest.

Keep Your Nuts Warm

The past couple days have been a respite from cold temperatures, 

but they will not last. Thunderstorms are expected overnight 

bringing temperatures below freezing. If you did not take the opportunity, 

like this squirrel, to gather additional provisions when we idled around, 

luxuriating in springlike breezes, then you will need to make certain 

to keep your nuts warm during the new onslaught

Gettin' Nekkid

Last week the trees were still wearing their leaves. 

A few of them had begun doing a slow strip tease,

their golden leaves floating through the air, 

scattering like feathers from a dancer's boa.

They bobbed and dipped in the sun, 

one last number before the intermission, 
when autumn sets the stage for winter.

This morning, the trees were bare, standing nekkid 

for all to see, their leaves in matted swirls on the ground.

The walnut tree across the street still has bits of

gold and green and feeds the happy squirrels 

that live in the tree next door.

I can't believe this squirrel let me get so close. 

I suppose it's because he was too involved in his

mast. Even the tree was kind enough to not throw a

walnut THONK! onto my head as I tried to take their pictures.

They sure did hit the ground

 around me hard, though.