Young Squirrels

An article in the paper this morning said that the latest infrared, aerial survey of California's forests shows that 20% of the trees are dead or so stressed by drought and the ensuing beetle infestations that they are likely to die. Many of these trees are growing in Annadel State Park which we see from our kitchen window, and the trees on the hills behind us. 

It was particularly galling then, to walk past the construction project this morning and watch a man with a firehouse spraying water from a tanker truck, which  says 'Argonaut' on the side, onto a gigantic pile of dirt. The dirt was then loaded into dump trucks by a huge bucket loader. (see extra) .A constant stream of dump trucks then goes down the road at the bottom of Dana's cul de sac to Highway 12 below us . Many of the empties rattle noisily up the poorly paved road behind us to rejoin the queue. 

So the dirt that once comprised a hilly field has been watered and pushed around since May, and is now being hauled away to parts unknown, while the trees just a few yards away die for lack of water.

OilMan came in today to say that two baby squirrels were feeding on seeds   underneath the bird feeder. Although they aren't tiny, he was sure that they were quite young because he walked right down the steps next to them and they didn't even pause. I sat at the bottom of the steps, newly built of cement so they can be swept, taking their pictures  and they didn't even look up. 

Industrious, and practically domesticated, little fellows….