A lot of debate in the BirdingPI.com break room about how best to present this recent happenstance at South Pier, Erie, PA (“Erie’s favorite pier!”) Perhaps the story of Elmo the Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger), who despite the other squirrels’ warnings just had to see South Pier for himself. Or maybe not. Anyway, considering the lack of cover + local hawk population (e.g., Red-tailed Hawk seen regularly at this location – see below), not a safe place for rodents.
A happy ending, however – “Elmo” made it back safely into the underbrush:
[Editor’s note: a Red-tailed Hawk would have a very different sense of a ‘happy ending’ to this tail (pun intended). Just sayin’.]
Edit: A Red-tailed Hawk @ South Pier, the next day or thereabouts.
Here in the ‘break room,’ this team member wondered why the Team Leader wasn’t taking pictures of birds! Has he gone crazy, following a rodent? Or was he hoping the hawk would make a spectacular catch? Oh, well, at least he (Team Leader) got out and left some coffee for the rest of us!