Millions of years ago, on the evolutionary tree of life, squirrels and chipmunks branched off as two separate species. Squirrels developed gray fur to better blend in with the gray bark of oak trees from which their favorite food acorns come from. We chipmunks developed brown fur with stripes to better blend in with the leaves. We became experts at gathering and hoarding seeds, especially sunflower seeds. Our taste for sunflower seeds has become encoded in our genes.
Every once in a while, one of those ancient squirrel genes re-asserts itself. You will be walking along in woods, and pass by a critter gathering acorns. You will think to yourself, that critter seems a bit too small for a gray squirrel. I don’t recall squirrels having stripes. You take a better look and find a chipmunk ignoring the sunflower seeds and stuffing its cheeks with acorns!
I just found out recently that these acorn loving ‘munks have formed their own club called the Nutty’Munk. This year, the club decided to hold their annual fall acorn stuffing contest at the Woodpile. I thought I would share a few photos of the contest with my loyal readers.
Contestants have 30 seconds to stuff as many acorns as they can into their cheek pouches. A pile of Godiva sunflower seeds placed close by as a potential distraction.
Ready, set, …
“Is anyone going to say GO?”
The judges picked the biggest acorns they could find. This one is bigger than the poor ‘munk’s head!
In it goes
On to acorn #2
His cheek pouches are going to be sore at the end of the day.
Unfazed, he is working on #3
Unbelievable, he got it in without much effort.
Incredible this is #4.
Here comes the second contestant. Wait a second, she isn't even a critter.
She is munching down all of those expensive Godiva sunflower seeds. The judges all got their whiskers in a tizzy as they yell “disqualified.” (Turns out to be a practical joke by the production staff)
for his winning photo for the newspaper.
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