Yes, it's a real squirrel. And a marionette.

I don't even know what to say... I was passing through Washington Square Park and encountered something that still doesn't seem quite real.

Ricky Syeers fashions his marionettes after real people. This one is based on Doris, a local community activist - and she actually walked by so I had an opportunity to met her too. And Ricky has made friends with some of the local squirrels as well, so one dropped by for some cracked nuts. I watched with incredulity as Doris (the marionette, not the person) hand fed him (or her?)

Ricky brought out his other marionette named Stix who danced around a bit before drinking too much and passing out on the tiny park bench.

Here are some more on Flickr