Why Chipmunks Should Stay Off The Roof
I saw the funniest thing today. I was coming down the stairs this morning and as I turned on the landing, I looked out the window into the backyard. Some movement atop the potting shed caught my eye. The commotion was being caused by a chipmunk, who had somehow climbed up there and gotten stuck. He was beside himself, crashing wildly through sticks and leaves and running repeatedly around the edge of the roof, looking for a way down. (There's an overhang on all sides.)
I watched for a while, thinking I might have to collect a ladder and a bucket and go rescue the poor guy. Finally, he stopped long enough to peer off the front side. Nothing there but driveway. Then, he moved around to the adjacent side. Grassy, but still a long way down. At last, he ventured to the far side of the shed, looking pitiful as he peered over the edge. Then, he perked up for just a moment, long enough for me to realize what he was considering. After a somewhat hesitant pause, the brave little furball took a running, flying leap at my climbing rose (about 8 feet tall and several feet away). He barreled into the thorny foliage about 6 feet off the ground and I watched the bush sway back and forth for a few minutes.
Afraid that the little guy had impaled himself, I felt obligated to witness the outcome. Shortly, the bush stopped swaying and he made his way down the stalk. He promptly scampered up the rock wall and I observed him several hours later, still sitting there smugly in the sun. Time will tell if he learned his lesson, though he sure put on an entertaining show!
I watched for a while, thinking I might have to collect a ladder and a bucket and go rescue the poor guy. Finally, he stopped long enough to peer off the front side. Nothing there but driveway. Then, he moved around to the adjacent side. Grassy, but still a long way down. At last, he ventured to the far side of the shed, looking pitiful as he peered over the edge. Then, he perked up for just a moment, long enough for me to realize what he was considering. After a somewhat hesitant pause, the brave little furball took a running, flying leap at my climbing rose (about 8 feet tall and several feet away). He barreled into the thorny foliage about 6 feet off the ground and I watched the bush sway back and forth for a few minutes.
Afraid that the little guy had impaled himself, I felt obligated to witness the outcome. Shortly, the bush stopped swaying and he made his way down the stalk. He promptly scampered up the rock wall and I observed him several hours later, still sitting there smugly in the sun. Time will tell if he learned his lesson, though he sure put on an entertaining show!