BREAKING NEWS:
Squirrels Beat Hummingbirds In Olympic Gymnastics
Have you ever tried to out-baffle a squirrel?
We've been having quite the competition
with our neighborhood squirrels these last few weeks.
with our neighborhood squirrels these last few weeks.
So far, the score is Squirrels - 10; Goo Shoes - 0.
A few young, agile and tenacious squirrels have
discovered the hummingbird feeder,
and are intoxicated by its nectar.
No matter what we do to literally baffle them, they out-wit us,
with gymnastic feats worthy of qualifying for the summer Olympics.
with gymnastic feats worthy of qualifying for the summer Olympics.
Meet S.Q. Uirrel --representing the United Squirrels of America.
He is reaching for the gold in the Uneven Hummingbird Jar competition,
and is clearly the rodent to beat.
Look at that form.....perfectly straight back, feet spread at just the right angle.
He's a natural on this apparatus.
Technically, his skills are very strong.
Coupled with his unusual choreography, he's a real contender.
The "upside-down jar reach" hasn't been done in competition before. He's the first to attempt it here in Rio de Jersey.
Although he has beautiful technique, S.Q. struggles for consistency.
Sometimes he nails it, and sometimes he gets sloppy.
This time, it's flawless!
He gets enormous height on those release moves!
Sometimes he nails it, and sometimes he gets sloppy.
This time, it's flawless!
He gets enormous height on those release moves!
Even though there were a few form breaks in his legs in the
"under-jar hang,"
the judges have got to be impressed!
The "over-hook flip" into the "downward jar slide" is a beautiful combination.
He's really raised the difficulty bar (no pun intended)
by using only one hand on the feeder.
The head extension is so impressive.
Oooohhh......he missed the bar!
That could cost him 1/10 of a point, and
He's really raised the difficulty bar (no pun intended)
by using only one hand on the feeder.
The head extension is so impressive.
Oooohhh......he missed the bar!
That could cost him 1/10 of a point, and
may mean the difference between a medal and no medal.
You can't let it break your concentration.......
you've gotta get right back up there.
Such determination!
you've gotta get right back up there.
Such determination!
These Olympians make it look so easy!
He's got a "full-twist double-baffle" to finish.
It's a very difficult dismount.
YESSSS!!!! He sticks the landing!
The judge is tabulating his score.
S.Q. surely will get points for ingenuity.
It's a HUGE score!
19.933!
HE'S GONNA GET THE GOLD!!!!!!
And hopefully, now, he'll be so busy with endorsements,
he won't have time for the hummingbird feeder.
LINKING WITH:
Best of the Weekend
Wake Up Wednesday
Wow Us Wednesday
It's a HUGE score!
19.933!
HE'S GONNA GET THE GOLD!!!!!!
And hopefully, now, he'll be so busy with endorsements,
he won't have time for the hummingbird feeder.
LINKING WITH:
Best of the Weekend
Wake Up Wednesday
Wow Us Wednesday
Oh Amy, this is hilarious!! I giggled all the way through the post. :-D Your commentating is "spot on" and these pictures are great. Yes, we have tried for years to out-baffle the squirrels, and I've decided it just can't be done. Just today, I chased one off of our screen; by that I mean the screen of our screened porch. They climb up that (or down from the roof, as the case may be) in order to get to our bird feeders which hang from the eaves over our screen porch. Don't even get me started with how they mess up my planters on the porch when they start digging to hide, or retrieve, their acorns. Sigh. Short of shooting them, I really don't know what the answer is. ;>)
ReplyDeleteHave a great week, and I hope you enjoy the people Olympic Games next month!
Hugs,
Denise
OMG! Surrounded by walnut trees I thought I had seen everything! Thanks for the laughs! The rest~spot on!
ReplyDeleteJane
Animal watching is fascinating! I was the last visit to the Zoo was sure that the man and the gorilla have common ancestors :-)
ReplyDeleteI greet warmly
Fantastic Photos!
ReplyDeleteIt boggles my mind that you're able to get these photos Amy! Talk about being in the right place at the right time. And I think you missed your calling! Sports Announcement is your thaaannggg.
ReplyDeletexxx
Actually, it wasn't hard at all to get these shots, because the squirrels are ALWAYS there - they do their gymnastics routines constantly. Gotta give them points for perseverance!
DeleteOMG Amy loved this. Just had me LOL!!!! You have a pretty talented squirrel there! Too funny!
ReplyDeleteKris
Amy, What a cute post and you shot some amazing action photos! Yes, those fuzzy rats are tenacious. Let us know if you outwit the little guy. Joan-My Cookie Clinic
ReplyDeleteLoved the photos and your commentary! You get a perfect 10! ;)
ReplyDeleteTLMAO ....oh this is hysterical... I hope you have a Utube with this in ---motion...too funny!
ReplyDeleteMy husbands favorite is he squirrel flying 100 feet into the woods with a rigged strainer and bungie cords. Perhaps that one is entered in the long jump. Grins and thanks, Sandi
OMG I love your photos Amy and I love that squirrel - he is just too adorable! I am going to show John this post🐿 Xoxo, Vera
ReplyDeleteOMG Amy that squirrel is just too much!! They can be such a pain as they are still messing with my flowers in my stone pots!! You captured such great shots of that squirrel. LOL.
ReplyDeleteLOL - what a great post!!! So glad the hummingbird got in on the last picture too!
ReplyDeleteI have a new respect for squirrels after reading this! They have determination that overshadows any common sense or fear for that matter! They still are annoying rodents though!!
ReplyDeleteWow. I have the same problem with them and bird seed. They confound the dog and drive her crazy. I love this. Your action shots made me feel like I was there!
ReplyDeleteHow darn cute and what wonderful pictures you have taken, bet you have a $5000 camera?
ReplyDeleteI feed my squirrels and birds and rabbits.
They are so entertaining as you have captured in your wonderful photos
Oh Amy, I feel bad, I was laughing the whole time. It was like the squirrel is a gymnast. It is amazing no matter what you do he is able to get there. The Hummingbird didn't seem to even care it was right there.
ReplyDeleteDo they show up everyday. Honestly, you were able to capture there movements. The 6th photo had me wondering what he was doing?
Cindy
They are so athletic aren't they.
ReplyDeleteMarvellous captures Amy
All the best Jan
S.Q.Urriel has been displaced Ms. Goo Shoes by, oo1 point. He has won the Silver.
ReplyDeleteAnd I thought I was getting more flexible thanks to my yoga practise, now I know I'll never be as good as the squirrel.
ReplyDeleteSo cute! I think you have a career in Olympic Squirrel Commentating locked up!
ReplyDelete