I wandered to the window this morning to check for any birds at my feeder. Expecting the usual ones, I knew my coffee would soon be enjoyed by me along with breakfast. It was a late night last night, early morning, due to my volunteering on a crisis hot line. I was half asleep as I checked on the birds and expected nothing unusual.

What! Wake up, what do I see? Where’s my camera and tripod? Am I really seeing a ground squirrel pulling at my prayer flags flying below the bird feeder? Ok, this is not a usual sight. I need to take a photo as I believe I am seeing this happen and I will want to share this activity with others.

The prayer flags have been left to blow in the wind and I have seen birds take a piece, no doubt for nests. But this I have never seen. Soon the ground squirrel was into a full-on pull of the line with definite use of its thigh muscles!

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After much time tugging, the ground squirrel relaxed on the wall and paid attention to something happening on the other side of the wall. I have no idea what caught his attention, but I did realize I woke up quickly this morning due to his activity!

Then back at the prayer flags after a few minutes of distraction. The ground squirrel pulled at a few more before finally taking off to other areas of the backyard.

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I quickly went for my coffee maker to make coffee and have breakfast. Wow, what a way to wake up in the morning! Quite the jolt to my system and so different from caffeinated coffee! Yet nice to have it all happening!