Mother to Be Black Squirrel

The snows are melting and the first little bits of green are starting to sprout. The Abert's (commonly mistaken as Albert's) squirrels of Stellers Ridge are active. I see them running down the fence, jumping from tree top to tree top, and leaping impossible distances. My eye catches a blurred streak of black against the forest background and I race for my camera. I have a lot of shots with these blurry streaks, but today I caught a very round and plump squirrel resting for a brief moment on the fence post. Then before I could get off just one more shot she streaked off. Do you think she's pregnant?

Black Squirrel on Post
A black Abert squirrel sits on a fence post in the foothills of northern Colorado.
click here for purchase information on this photo

Black Squirrel Photo Set
click here for purchase information on this set

Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen

Sunday Morning Gallery - Abert's Squirrel Mama

This week I saw a small and diminutive version of our usually demonstrative and rambunctious Abert's squirrels. I'm guessing it was a she. I'm basing my decision on the fact that she had obviously been nursing babies. Anyone that has had a mama cat or dog knows what I mean. If you look closely at the photo you can see little bare belly patches.

Mating season for Abert's squirrels can run from late February through early June. During mating season the female is followed by small groups of males. The males chase the female through the trees providing free entertainment for hours. The female usually has only one litter a year with one to five babies. The babies are born without fur and their eyes are closed. They may start to climb down to the ground when they are about seven weeks old and are weaned after about 10 weeks.

I'll be watching for those babies!




Black Abert Squirrel 5x7 Fine Art Photograph

Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen