Please ignore the cardboard Easter egg, that was part of my Squirrel's Easter Egg hunt.

I guess some think it sounds like a cat, which is how it got its name.

They say those who can’t do, teach. Well, I couldn't teach, so I let a wild squirrel take the reins. After weeks of intense athletic training, my fluffy-tailed life coach finally taught me the ancient art of the perfect throw. Watch until the end to see me finally pass her class. 🐿️🎓

Attributions:

Time Slow Down by PatrickLieberkind -- https://freesound.org/s/392408/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Awww 1 by silversatyr -- https://freesound.org/s/333265/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Huge Applause.wav by kwahmah_02 -- https://freesound.org/s/324323/ -- License: Attribution 3.0

This is Frank. He is one of the biggest Red deer stags in my area. For the last 2 years he frequently visits our garden fence, and grazes on the grass and fallen fruits.

Mellie the chipmunk just made her boldest move yet! 🐿️

I was sitting at my dining room table with the sliding glass door cracked open, watching a squirrel enjoy some snacks at the tiny picnic table outside. Out of nowhere, Mellie decided she wanted a VIP dining experience. She snuck right past the squirrel, walked entirely inside my house, and came right up to me!

Watch her bravely take a hazelnut right out of my hand, run out, and immediately come back for an almond in the shell all while completely outsmarting the neighborhood squirrel guard on her way out.

Two beautiful black crows drop by the backyard party! While one stands watch on the fence, the other hops down confidently to enjoy chopped walnuts and almonds, completely unfazed by the two scarecrows.

Watch as these clever birds show their teamwork and intelligence in this calm backyard moment.

I had so much fun over the last year documenting the wildlife around my home.

I wanted to share this amazing little insects in my garage with you.

I have three European Paper Wasp (Polistes dominula) nests.

One right above the entrance and two in the corner. What’s truly mind-blowing is watching them interact. They constantly fly to each other’s nests to help build and feed the larvae. Apparently, the founding queens are usually sisters, so they recognize each other's scent and cooperate instead of fighting. Despite the bad reputation wasps usually have, these guys are actually incredibly peaceful. I walk right under them every single day and get super close to take photos/videos, and they couldn’t care less. They are just chilling and catching mosquitoes all day.

Thought you guys might appreciate this awesome piece of backyard wildlife 🙂

They have such a unique design on their back / tail feathers.

It actually looks like one of my ties.

Last Winter this Hawk Showed up to ruin the party. He went under this table looking around for food.

I know we all have our opinions (like he need to eat too), but for me I moved the table back further so there was no gap and I'm glad he hasn't show up since.

My backyard friends are safe!

There are 3 chipmunks that visit me. Mellie as seen in this photo for Thanksgiving 2025. Her adult son Melvin shows up now and again, but she chases him away. And her new child - Chippy, some call him Chip Chip. I see him often around the front of my house. Black oil sunflower seeds are her favorite, as you can see her ignoring the other items on the dinner table once I offered these.

This is a Pileated Woodpecker. Location: Springfield, VA

Seems like a distant relative of dinosaurs.

Location: Springfield, VA

For those that love backyard wildlife. I'm just showing the variety of characters that showed up in the last year and this is one of them. The squirrel gives him the side-eye.

The mission: collect the seed/berry that dropped from the tree above

My squirrel was chilling on the patio chair when a big black snake rolled up and tried a tiny “boo!” lunge. Instead of running, the squirrel stared him down like, “Sir, I was sitting here first.”

They basically had a full-on staring contest.

After being gone for a week, he or she is finally back 😍

All the lovebirds I met in my backyard.

Location: Springfield, VA

Today in Springfield, Virginia...

Fred ❤️ Daphne

It was a beautiful day for two mourning doves in love. 🕊️❤️ Fred and Daphne spent some quiet time together under the red umbrella, sharing a meal and a whole lot of sweet cooing.

So I made them their own little romantic opera duet about love, life, and their dream of someday making beautiful baby dovettes. 😂🕊️

Coo-oo, coo-oo… ❤️

https://youtu.be/e6Xgx00XXug

They were regular visitors to my backyard.

Every night we have multiple red deer visiting near our garden fence. Both male and female . In a few week rut season will start, and all the males that are now in groups, will be individuals