Out in the yard Chad and Chipster are staking out their territory. Chad owns the right side of the yard, while Chipster owns the left side. The food is in the middle, so they fight over who gets the most. (Chad & Chipster are two chipmunks.)
Most of the time they arrive at the peanuts at different times, so it is okay. When they arrive at the same time, then the chase is on. Up the steps, across the wall, down the pipe. Chad is the older, so he wins. Chipster runs under the flower planter into his side of the yard. Then they part to chase again.
It is fun to see them chase each other, tails high. Once in a while they tumble in the grass. Chipster tries to hide on the wall, to see if the coast is clear. Sometimes he'll get brave and hides under the grill. When Chad has filled his cheeks, taking his load home, Chipster will run to get his share.
On days the bird feeders are full, everyone is out there. I see Chipster running through the trees. He's looking to see if a lot of seeds have fallen to the ground. On the other side of the yard Chad is running through shrubs and under the wood swing. Once and a while, he'll sit on the bench, swinging in the wind. Then it is a game as to who can sneak up to get the seed and nuts before they discover each other. They sometimes find the food too good to think about the other one being there, so then they just eat with their back to each other.
The other morning the yard was full of red winged black birds and crows eating to their hearts content. Chad felt brave; he kept running through the flock of birds. He thought he could get them to fly away and leave the seeds for him. He kept saying, "Fly away! Fly away!" When they did start to fly I got a beautiful show of color. The red on their wings looked amazing as they flew through the trees.
The mornings are good times to see and hear Chad and Chipster. They stand outside their homes and talk for hours. I'm not sure what they say or who they say it to, but they sure do chatter. Maybe they are talking to each other trying to keep the peace at the feeders, but they will always chase each other.
Chad asked Chipster one day, "Why does she put peanuts in one spot? She knows there are two of us. Do you think we should ask her to put a few in other places."
Chipster replied, "If she did, we would not have fun chasing each other."
"I guess you're right. We do love the chase." Chad responsed.
When they run through the trees, it is to eat the grapes that have grown over the summer. They enjoy the grapes. There are a few trees with berries too. The chipmunks love them. Last month they never came down from the trees. The branches would sway. There would be chipmunks, squirrels and birds in them all the time. That seemed to be a great treat for all the backyard animals. The trees seemed to be alive with all the chatter from all the different animals. I wonder if they were telling each other where the best grapes are.
One day when I arrived home, Chad was waiting for me. He picked a great place to sit, as you can see. He likes to be on top of things; he hides there sometimes keeping out of sight. This way he can see the front yard that Chad thinks is his, not mine.
There is an empty lot across the street. Chad runs across, tail high, little legs going a mile a minute. I think he has staked it out as his own. Maybe he's looking for love across the street. Winters are cold; he's alone in his little home. Maybe he wants to share the food he brings home. Could he be courting Miss Chipmunk there?
Chipster has a different idea how to get my attention. When I'm on my porch he just sits at the window making me feel bad. His little furry face looks in, so hungry looking. He is hoping I'll get up, so I give in. He sure knows how to get what he wants. Now he has to eat the nuts fast, or the backyard animals will find them. They will steal them, they too are hungry. After he has eaten his fill, I think he says thank you because he looks in the window with a different look on his face.
But they always comes back to the feeders. The peanuts and sunflower seeds seem to be a favorite. They don't last long. If a blue jay finds them, both Chad & Chipster are sad and want more. Guess I'll have to keep the back steps shoveled all winter. And the feeders filled.
As winter sets in, the yard animals are getting ready, just as we are. Only they have to fill a den with food. When the snow comes, the only place they find food is at the feeders. Maybe a few of the grapes will be left, so they can eat those. But the way they enjoy the feeders, I doubt it. So I try to keep a good supply of food on hand. I may change it to a few more nuts, berries and peanuts, just so they can have a different type of food. But we will all be here in the spring. Ready to turn the backyard into a fun house for one and all.
