Flying squirrels!

 

I took part in Fernald's spring “squirrel sit” to look for southern flying squirrels. And for just the second or third time in my life, I saw one. These tiny, elfin creatures are unbelievably fast, darting around trees and branches while foraging. And they are strictly nocturnal, which explains why I never see them.

Flying squirrels have a thin membrane of skin stretching from their wrists to their ankles that allows them to glide from tree to tree. But most of the time they move around like other squirrels, albeit faster than you can imagine. I think I saw one at Miami Whitewater when I was a kid. A small animal flew down onto the trail in front of me before bounding away into the bushes. I only caught a glimpse. Many years later, I took these photos at a generous Kentucky wildlife photographer's home. So cool!

During the Fernald event, a barred owl posted up near the feeders, keeping the squirrels away. But one squirrel did give us a brief encounter with one of the most mysterious animals in the Eastern forest.

Thanks to naturalist Luke Thies for hosting the squirrel sit. Flying squirrels really are incredible animals.