Thursday, July 9, 2009

A Little Surprise

There is a section of trail in one of the parks I visit that never seems very special when I'm there. Every time I enter this trail I think to myself that I want to get through there so I can get to something good. I've just never seen much of anything there. Until now.

I went to this park yesterday thinking about the last park I visited. There is a section of that other park that is just full of chipmunks. They're usually out so I can get a few pictures, but last time I was there the chipmunks were more intent on hiding so they were too fast for me. I missed them a little bit.

It was those chipmunks that I was thinking of when I entered this empty section of trail yesterday. But as I got about halfway through this section, I saw a movement off to my right. This was completely new and different!

As I looked closer I saw what was causing the little commotion. It was a lone little chipmunk! I never really believed there were any chipmunks at this park. There was never a hint of them before yesterday. So you might understand that this came as a surprise to me. A very happy one.

The best part was that the little chipmunk held still for several minutes so I could get several pictures. I stood there clicking the camera while this chipmunk did its best impression of a squirrel by holding on to the side of a tree staring back at me. I'm sure it was only waiting for me to go away, but it sure looked like it wanted its picture taken.

The only interruption was when a guy walked by with his dog. The chipmunk didn't seem too bothered by all of this, because it was only interested in the guy with the camera that just would not leave it in peace. Well, I finally did leave it so it could get on with the business of its life.

As I turned away, so did the chipmunk. We both went on our separate ways. As I left I realized that even the most dull and boring looking place might contain a few little pleasant surprises. This little creature was just one of them.

17 comments:

  1. Hi again Ratty. I love this post. Those chipmunks are so cute. I really wish that I could see one in real life one day.

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  2. Chipmunks are so cute. We really don't have them in our area too much. I've seen one once in my life, and it was the cutest smallest little thing. It was your lucky day, Ratty!

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  3. Those are really cute pictures of chipmunks. I'm glad you're able to spend some minutes with them!

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  4. Hey - nice little chipmonkey tail - chipmunks are cute and enjoy watching them chase each other and play - only if life was so simple that we could play like they do. I enjoy your adventures along the trails.

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  5. Hi Ratty! I popped over from duckandwheelwithstring's blog. What a wonderful place you've got here. I can't wait to read more of your exciting everyday adventures. Thanks for reminding me that I can have adventure anywhere, if I'm willing to look. (Love the Danger Mouse picture, by the way! One of my all time favorites!)

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  6. I am guilty a lot of times of just hurrying along and not looking for anything in some places. Great reminder to never stop looking.

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  7. " because it was only interested in the guy with the camera that just would not leave it in peace"
    --that is so cute, he must know he is making you happy for giving you time for pictures :)

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  8. Cute post. Gotta love chipmunks!!! :)

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  9. "The most dull and boring looking place might contain a few little pleasant surprises".
    That is right!! I experience this everytime I visit Cerok Tokun.

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  10. He is a cutie and you are right you never know what you might find in even the most boring spots.

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  11. aaawww look at that li'l critter. isn't it crazy that you were thinking about chipmunks and then all of a sudden there he was.

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  12. Chipmunks are so cute, I miss seeing them. Great photos and story.

    Have a great day,
    SQ

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  13. WE saw a chipmunk last week too!! Loved seeing the little guy scurrying around. Ella saw it too. We were hiking at about 1100 feet in elevation in some redwood forest and there he was in the understory. Yeah for chipmunks! ;)

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  14. I love chipmunks even though we don't have one here in Borneo.

    It's remind me of a few movie that chipmunks are one of the characters. Enchanted and Alvin and the Chipmunks...They are just adorable...

    Great discovery and good post.

    --Rose

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  15. Quite rare to see a chipmunk just stand there posing for camera. There is a fruit tree near the place I took on my vacation filled with them. Every few minutes, they dropped the half eaten fruits to the roof, and it makes a loud sound every time.

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  16. Very nice photos of that little guy Ratty! I love the Chipmunks. They are always so friendly and will eat right out of your hand if you let them. I used to hang out my window and let them take the peanut but not any more. I'm afraid I'll pop a blood vessel..Ha! I have lots of Chipmunks here. I like to watch them eat and wash themselves. And they chase each other a lot also. Territorial I guess. Nice post Ratty!
    I'm glad your comment section is working today!!

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  17. Bemused - You never know. Maybe you will. Just hope nobody ever brings any there. We don't want them taking over unchecked like some of the squirrels did.
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    Rene - I've never seen a chipmunk before this year either. Now i see them everywhere I go, and I love them.
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    Icy BC - I 'm glad too. This year is my first sightings of these little guys. They're some of the most fun animals yet.
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    Mike - Yeah, the chipmunks have some great little personalities. It might be fun to be like them.
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    JStantonChandler - I'm glad you came over. You're welcome here any time you like. I'm happy to have a new friend.
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    Sharkbytes - I'm guilty of it too, so I have to keep reminding myself. I saw the same little chipmunk today too.
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    Betchai - That just might be it. I saw him again today, and he waited for me once again.
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    Laura - Thanks, I certainly love 'em.
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    Rainfield - Your visits to Cerok Tokun are always wonderful for us all.
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    Poetic Shutterbug - Not just in the forest too. There are wonders even in a city.
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    PJ - It might have been reading my mind that day, but I always have some sort of small animal on my mind. :)
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    SquirrelQueen - I hope you get to see them again soon, but only if it doesn't interfere with something even better.
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    Julia - I just love when kids get to see things like this. I hope she got a good look at it.
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    Rose - Real chipmunks behave very much like Alvin and the Chipmunks. They are all up to mischief, and they're all very curious. They're fun little creatures. You'd have a lot of fun seeing a real one.
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    VanillaSeven - Your chipmunks probably liked hearing that sound. The ones I see like to come out and watch me, so it's easy to get pictures.
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    Ginnymo - You have the very best chipmunk pictures I've ever seen, and that goes for the other animals you get too. I think animals love you more than anyone else ever.

    I changed the comment system as soon as I read your message to me from your comments section. Thanks for letting me know about it. I always read answers to the comments I've left.

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