Donna Young's Blog: Squirrels and Sunflowers

Squirrels and Sunflowers

Donna Young @ 12 July 2007
Filed in Categories: Squirrel Sunflower

http://donnayoung.org

A few days ago, I noticed that some of my sunflowers are being relieved of their flower heads. I found that curious, so I looked around the yard to see if I could find evidence. It did not take long before I found several seed heads lying on the ground under trees. Hmmmmm....

The squirrels are enjoying the sunflowers. Today I walked in the yard, camera in hand, and took a few pictures. I would like to see a squirrel taking a sunflower bloom but they have been admirably stealthy so far. I do not mind that the squirrels are getting the blooms. That is partly why I planted the sunflowers, for the bugs, birds, and squirrels. I was not planning to harvest all of them, but what seed the animals leave me will be gathered and stored for the bird feeders. If you plant sunflowers, plant plenty!

Evidence:

A squirrel ate the whole thing.

A consumed sunflower bloom resting in the shade next to exposed oak tree roots.

The squirrel did not eat all of this one, I suppose it was getting full.

We have plenty of sunflowers.

Bees and American Goldfinches are also enjoying the sunflowers. The goldfinches slice the sunflower seeds with skill. I inspected a pile of empty seeds at the base of a sunflower plant. At first the seeds appeared to be intact, but they were not, they were all slit in the same way along the face of the seed. My digital camera cannot zoom to capture the finches, they fly away, but I do have a nice image of a bee.

sunflower and bee

Have a nice day!

Squirrel, Sunflower

Click Here to Leave a Comment

Sheri · Jul 13, 12:15 AM · #

It is nice of you to share your bounty with the resident wildlife. :)
Elaine · Jul 13, 01:32 AM · #

I had a feeling that squirrels getting the flowers. What a picture that would be if you could catch them in the act.

I am glad that you planted them for the animals.
Melanie · Jul 14, 12:09 PM · #

That last one is a nice picture.

it is nice of you to share with the squirrels, and is probably the most sensible thing to do, considering their admirable stealth and all. My grandfather used to fight the squirrels on the birds` behalf, but they outsmarted him every time.
Tressa · Jul 14, 01:52 PM · #

I think it is nice of you too. I am sure that the wildlife appreciates your generosity.

Those little squirrels sure can cause trouble.
Donna Young · Jul 15, 01:55 AM · #

Tressa they sure can! ;) Melanie, I`ve had some run-ins with squirrels too. When I had apple trees, they took my apples. We I grow corn, they take my corn!

We caught a squirrel stealing a sunflower seed head today. It was holding the stem and dragging it toward the trees behind the garden.
Tanya · Jul 16, 03:33 PM · #

Alright.......how are you getting fun smilies in replies???
michiellee · Jul 17, 10:25 PM · #

my mil and I were just talking about sunflowers today, I suggested she plant them into containers and drag them in the house at night. WE grew a nice sized one last year in a container.
Robin · Jul 18, 08:51 PM · #

Hello Miss Donna. I`ve been reading your blog via Miss Applie for some time now, so I thought I would introduce myself since you seem like such a nice lady and you have a very enjoyable blog. My name is Robin and I have four wonderful children. Two boys, ages 15 & 17 and two girls, ages 9 & 11. We are a homeschooling family and my hubby is an over-the-road truck driver. (and gone on the road quite a bit) I am a photographer and we travel within a few hours of this area (near Fort Campbell, KY) to take photos. Most recently we`ve been photographing the Bald Eagles at Fort Donelson, TN. They are about to leave and fly North (?) until about December, though. Next year I hope to photograph them quite a bit more, along with the juveniles, which is what I photographed. Anywho - Just talking away here like I know you. Tee hee hee. I wanted to come by and say hello and `meet` you. I hope you are having a most excellet day, Donna! , Robin

P.S. We planted firery red sunflowers that I can`t wait to see bloom!
Donna Young · Jul 19, 09:34 AM · #

It is great to officially meet you Robin. :) I`ve seen you at Applie`s and I`ve stopped by your blog several times. You have lots of beautiful photographs there. :)

Red sunflowers would be fun to grow! :) I hope you have an excellent day too!
Michael · May 27, 03:41 PM · #

Have you tried mousetraps? The good old fashion ones with the little metal smash bar? I tried putting chicken wire around the plants, but if this fails then I will be going with mouse traps.
Kimberly · Jul 15, 01:20 PM · #

i planted 3 sunflowers to show a friend what they look like and one night someone or something took the head of the sunflower we thought it was some kids messing around but today the other two were gone but none of my other flowers were gone.

Thank you for tell me about the squirrels that helped now ill plant them inside
Paul Brown · Apr 21, 01:36 AM · #

Very interesting article and many ways to look at this subject.