Squirrel Shenanigans

AzarÉl Greetings’ backyard photography journey started out strictly for the birds, but it didn’t take long for the local “bushy-tails” to decide they wanted in on the action! I simply couldn’t resist capturing their antics, and soon enough, the squirrels and chipmunks became the official “laughter line” of my work. Because my five feline friends tend to keep our current feeding platform a bit too exciting for the local wildlife, I’ve decided to dig back into my archives to bring you a fresh collection of squirrel mischief for AzarÉl Greetings. I hope these playful moments bring a smile to your face—please head over to Facebook and let me know which one is your absolute favorite!

Normal from Time-to-Time; Nutty by Nature

We all have those wonderfully “nutty” people in our lives—the ones whose spontaneous antics and infectious energy fill our days with laughter. If you are privileged enough to have at least one of these vibrant souls in your circle, cherish them. If you happen to be one yourself, congratulations, you’ve hit the jackpot! After all, laughter is simply a smile that bursts into joy!

Before you read on – look carefully at the scene and mentally list all the tiny details.

This scene, captured in the fall of 2024, was a true family affair. My stepdaughter, Heather, added delightful details, including a 3-D printed miniature cooler that perfectly mirrored the vintage ones Brian and I remember from childhood, plus a tiny wash-pan, crate, and shovel. (Check out her 3D printed minis at My Mini Front Porch on Facebook and Etsy.) I was particularly blown away by her tiny marshmallows on a stick at the campfire! Brian constructed the tent, while I fashioned the sleeping bags and arranged the final composition.

Of course, no camping trip is complete without a squirrel, and this little fellow seems quite content with his 1950s ride. These are some other possible captions:

• Slightly scattered, occasionally frantic, always nutty.
  
• Just a squirrel trying to navigate this nut-filled world.
  
• I don’t necessarily call it crazy. I call it naturally nutty — happiness with benefits.

Brewster’s Caffeine “Problem”

My photography runs on caffeine. It takes a cup to get me moving at 5:30 or 6:00 AM, powering me through set-up and a couple hours of photography.

But Brewster? His caffeine needs are so high he’s bypassed all social norms. It didn’t matter that this was a white-glove affair—Brewster decided that waiting for a cup was for amateurs and opted to suck his caffeine straight from the spout. It’s a quick, no-fuss approach to infusing energy into his system. He’s clearly willing to risk steam burns, chipped teeth, and scalding in pursuit of that un-natural squirrel buzz. I’m not sure how a creature that is already 90% jittery could possibly need more pep, but I guess he’s fully committed to the high-energy drink craze… oh, no!

• “Drink tea! Do stupid things faster with more energy.”
  
• “Caffeine: Because adulting is hard.”
  
• “My blood type is Earl Grey.”

Inventory Security

This beautiful spring scene from May 2024 featured a visit from a robin and a bluebird, but the real star of the show was clearly the squirrel. It seems some snacks must have fallen underneath the chair, and as we all know, a squirrel will go to absolutely any length—no matter how undignified—to secure a bite to eat. This little guy was no exception, and it cracks me up to see him totally “butt-up” with that tail swishing in frantic, high-stakes pursuit of his hidden treasure.

It really puts the “hiding snacks” game into perspective! If you’re looking to step up your own snack-stashing, here are a few hilarious, tried-and-true spots people share online:

• Frozen Veggie Bags: Stashing your chocolate or candy inside a bag of peas or broccoli in the freezer is a classic maneuver.
  
• Clothing Hangers: Try clipping thin, packaged treats to a hanger hidden underneath a shirt or jacket.
  
• Hygiene Product Boxes: Reusing personal hygiene or toiletry boxes is an absolute masterclass in bathroom snack security.

I really have to know: where do you keep your stash???

You Don’t Have to be Nuts to be My Friend

Sometimes, the simplest things create the most captivating scenes. Take this little glass baby food jar—if you look closely, you’ll see the lid is secured with hot glue. There’s a very good chance the jar itself is hot-glued to the board. Otherwise, our incredibly smart (and greedy) squirrel friend would have sprinted away with the entire stash!

This photo was captured back in October 2024, though it’s taken until now for this squirrel to make his debut; he spent months being tragically upstaged by a “birdy butt,” which has since become the butt of many jokes. (Follow the Masses!)

We all have those wonderfully “nutty” people in our lives whose spontaneous antics fuel our own joy. If you’re looking for a little more humor to describe the chaos, here are a few favorites:

• “Going nuts and out of my mind! Back in 5 minutes.”
  
• “If you think I’m nutty, you should see the rest of my friends.”
  
• “I’m not nuts. I’m just a limited edition.”

Whether you’re in need of a quick burst of laughter or you know someone who needs it, these cards are here to brighten a day. Sometimes you just have to be a little bit “naturally nutty” to survive in life! You can find this entire collection waiting for you at our upcoming AzarÉl Greetings’ craft shows. On the card spinner,  look for the cards labeled with the 😂 emoji or browse through the dedicated “funny” section of our card boxes. We can’t wait to share these giggles with you!

Don’t forget to head back to FB and tell me your favorite!