Thursday, March 27, 2008

A Black Squirrel







This was about 4 months back. It was mid-November; winter season when the sun sets by 5 PM and it gets darker within the next few minutes. I wrapped up my work and called a taxi to drop me back to my hotel.



The cabbie reached my office in 10 mins and I walk out to hop into the taxi to face the boring evening ahead. There's a redwood tree just outside the building entrance. Oh yeah I was in the Bay area of California. I must tell that its a quite new seasonal experience.
Last time while i was in CA, it was summer and it was amazing to see sun set only by 9 PM; this time; as my luck would have it; I got to visit during winter. The sun sets off by 5 PM. Extremes!! Oh yeah going from India, its a new experience.
Ohoo...am I deviating? Lemme get back. Yeah I was telling about the redwood tree. I walked out to reach my taxi and I saw a cute black squirrel. It was startled for a moment; dropped off the food it was holding in its tiny limbs; and scampered around as I passed a bit close to it. I was excited. I have never seen a black squirrel until now. This squirrel was a bit bigger than the Indian striped squirrel. It was completely black -glossy as if it just jumped out of a tub of varnish, no stripes on its back as the Indian squirrels. I managed to quickly take few snaps of the squirrel and this picture is one of my best shot ever. I was happy and all smiles; I saw a black squirrel for the first time and managed to get a very good picture of it.
My cabbie was smiling and enjoying my childish behaviour all this while. I used to see the squirrel everyday after this, generally during evenings. I later read that black squirrels are common in mid western North America.


13 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. Hey!! I never knew there was a black version of a squirrel!! I am enlightened! Thanks for the great photo.

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  3. Gautam, you can find lots of them in CA..just be watchful when you travel or maybe right in your college campus in San Jose

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  4. Yes,I just clicked random shots hoping I would get at least one good pic..:-)

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  5. I have spotted black squirrels a few times now. They seem to be pretty rare and are so cute. :-)

    I think Lord Rama was not in the USA and so, they have no stripes. :-)

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  6. Hahahaha...yeah Lord Rama didnt visit the continent as it was discovered much later :-D

    The black squirrels are really really cute!

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  7. Heyy Squirrels are every where.

    but Black one ...I wan one...Puullllllleeezzzzzzzzz


    I am feeling happy.

    :)

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  8. Makk,

    Squirrels are everywhere, but this Black ones are unique to North America. And trust me, they are more cuter than what we find here.

    I will try getting one for you next time :-D Glad you are feeling happy.

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  9. I can see that she is so cute...in this pic by you.

    :)

    I will be waiting for her and ofcourse for you as well....lollzzzz

    :)

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  10. "as if it just jumped out of a tub of varnish"
    oh man... now this is a post which is truly fresh and uncomplicated. what a feel! aaahhhhhh.... soothing and relaxed...
    i still remember that day when i read this post. i was thinking, "black squirrel! what the!? really???!!!"

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  11. i have seen a black squirrel here at rohtak

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  12. Hey just saw a black squirrel playing on my neighbour's roof top. The orange color of sunset made the squirrel's tail glow. what a beautiful sight... :-)

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I'd love to know what you thought :-) Please shoot!