The Elusive Boomer

Not a Baby Boomer (they're not what you'd call elusive) but a Mountain Red Squirrel, also known as a Boomer.  Justin spotted one a few years ago down at the lower place and I seem to remember seeing one at our bird feeder many years ago and thinking it was a regular Grey Squirrel who'd been through hard times.

But now we have a Boomer as a regular visitor. He (or she) is much smaller than a Gray Squirrel -- half a pound as compared to two pounds -- with a shorter tail, reddish fur,  and white circles around his eyes. 
He visits the bird feeder but spends a lot of time in the big Fraser Fir ( a Christmas tree from about forty years ago.)

He runs out to the end of a branch and harvests some new cones . . .

Then retires to the relatively hidden perch near the trunk.  He moves quickly and if I'm not careful to stay still, he disappears. 

I tried for days to get a clear shot  but these are the best I could manage. There are better pictures (by someone else) HERE.

Perhaps in time he'll get used to us and I'll get better pictures.  No matter -- it's just fun to see a new critter around -- an addition to the Gray Squirrels and Flying Squirrels.