European red squirrel, northern Germany.
We live right next to a park, where a tree grows partially over our balcony, so the little one can safely come and go. Over the past weeks she's gotten more curious and has been exploring every corner of the balcony, she's also gotten more comfortable with our presence.
A few days ago we were having tea outside and she joined us briefly, so we put out some hazelnuts and she returned immediately from her lookout on the tree.
First she checked from a safe distance.
She then brought the nuts into several hiding spots around and returned again, at this point she really started to muster us. She then made a big jump right on to our table, ran across it until she sat 30cm in front of my girlfriend and stared right into the camera, that's where we took the title picture.
The photo is slightly out of focus because she ran up to us so boldly, we couldn't turn the zoom down quickly enough.
After that photo we put the camera down, to enjoy the moment more, she ran around us a little bit and then retreated back to her tree.
It seems like we made a friend that day, she comes by periodically, we bought more nuts and although she is careful around us, she accepts our presence. We can move slowly and also talk normally, just fast movements makes her a little skittish.
So greetings from Hazel to all of you, we wish you and your squirrel friends a merry autumn!
Hazel, you are precious!!