"IT'S ROCKY THE FLYING SQUIRREL - NO, IT'S AQUA SQUIRREL!"

Red Squirrel - 6 Photos

So it was a warm Autumn afternoon, watching muskrats and then this Red Squirrel came down from a tree top and scampered over to a semi-submerged log in the creek.

He/she hesitated for a few moments and then ran down to the end of the log and the creek, thought better of it and ran/flew back to a a suitable platform for contemplation (Photo #2). 

For all of those who remember the cartoon, "Rocky & Bullwinkle", featuring Rocky the Flying Squirrel & his companion, Bullwinkle the Moose, yes squirrels can indeed fly (Photo #1).

The squirrel sat still for at least a minute and then proceeded down the log and after a few seconds of hesitation, stepped into the water and swam across the creek to the meadow on the far side (Photo #3 through to Photo #6). Like most mammals, squirrels can swim but it certainly was a moment of "are you kidding me". There is an area of land close to where the creek ends, not that far away and could easily be navigated by a small squirrel.

And about half an hour later, I saw the squirrel return to the original tree, this time by the dry land at the creek's end. I suppose one cold dip on an Autumn day was enough for any Red Squirrel. :)

PHOTO #1

PHOTO #2

PHOTO #3

PHOTO #4

PHOTO #5

PHOTO #6