It was a beautiful autumn day in the Ouachita National Forest. I was out on a hike when movement caught my eye up ahead. Two eastern gray squirrels were peeking from a hole in a dead tree trunk. I stopped on the trail to look closer.
Two Eastern Gray Squirrels in a Dead Tree
Two small faces watched me as I approached. The hole opened in the trunk of that old dead tree. Both of them watched me intently the whole time. Their small size and fluffy tails marked them as juveniles. Neither squirrel came out while I stood there. Instead, they kept a watchful eye on me from inside. The pair stayed tucked together in the cavity. Seeing them up close from the trail was a treat. Curiosity seemed to hold them right at the opening.
Sitting Quiet and Staying Patient
I sat down quietly at the base of a nearby tree. From there, I watched to see if they would emerge. They never did come out. After a while, I slowly took out my camera. A few careful frames caught them peeking from the hole. Photographing them took stillness and patience above all. Even a small movement could startle babies like these.
Why These Two Eastern Gray Squirrels Need Their Forest
Encounters like this are why I love this forest. The whole encounter was a simple, enjoyable one. Photographing wildlife in this forest is a joy on days like this. I hope these two keep thriving in it. Their future depends on habitat staying protected. On another outing, I watched a gray squirrel build a nest. See Watching a Gray Squirrel Build a Nest at Mount Magazine for that outing. As long as this forest stays protected, young squirrels like these have a chance.