Lifestyle Hazards

When you spend enough time with wild animals, you begin to notice behaviors you may have overlooked before. The first time I saw an Eastern Gray Squirrel nodding off and almost twitching itself off the branch, I thought it was sick . The way I sleep, I'd either fall or my snoring would call in the nearest predator. That said, I had to speak to this squirrel before she completely dozed off.

"Hey, Ms. Squirrley. Is napping on a branch dangerous?" She acknowledged my voice with an ear twitch and shallow breath . Rolling sleepy eyes and never lifting her head, she responded, "Why would it be dangerous?" Puzzled, I asked, "What if you fall?" Shrugging it off, she said, "I have thick skin. " The answer seemed careless, but I wasn't about to debate her rationale. Thinking of something I knew she'd be concerned about, I said, "What if a hawk shows up!?

Exhaling like a parent losing patience , she said, "Life is life," while repositioning, then continued, "What if I fall or get eaten, would you take the picture?" Before, I could process the rhetorical question she finished, "Of course you would, but we'll never know if you don't let me sleep."

Understanding her point, I remained quiet as she drifted off to sleep . I watched intently for some time, and before long, she rose from her nap more boundful and perkier than before. After a thorough cleaning and full body stretch, she said, "That was a great nap, did you get the shot?" Confused, I said, "What shot? Nothing happened." As she leaped to the next branch, she shouted, "I guess that answered your first question!"

Don't let worry and 'what ifs' keep you from enjoying a good nap.

-By Donte Hunter

Colonial Heights, VA

3.11.26

Sony A1 w/ FE 600mm f4 GM

ISO400, f7.1, 1/160

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