Bowron Lakes: Oh, Double and Triple Nuts!

Nuts II: The Tent Crashers

Squirrels are very territorial and will do all that it takes to protect their property. This has been very evident with squirrels chasing each other about, on the ground, up and down trees, in the areas we camped along the Bowron Lakes.

It was a beautiful sunny day when we made camp on Spectacle Lake, one of the lakes in the chain. As is the case with canoeing guides, off time is scheduled to relax from the duties of the day. I retreated to my tent for some reading and the luxury of an afternoon nap.

The quiet of the moment was interrupted only by the occasional refrain from a loon or chattering disagreement between squirrels. Ah, heaven! I began to read, realizing that the heaviness of my eyelids would soon carry me off to sleep. As my awareness of what I was reading was being replaced by Jaime Lee Curtis's invitation to join her in my dream, I was startled to consciousness by something on my tent wall.

A squirrel had squeezed under the protective fly covering, ran up the side of the tent, over the top, down the other side, and out. I hardly had time to mentally absorb what was happening, when a second chattering squirrel, followed in chase of the first one. Too bad he wasn't able to catch up to the first squirrel I thought, as the dust up would have presented a UFC (ultra fighting) moment.

Senses returned, I couldn't help but break out in open laughter as to what had just happened. I couldn't wait to tell the story to others in the group. Wait a minute! My attention was drawn to a series of holes created by sharp claws on the fabric of my tent. The walls and dome of the tent bore the reminder of the paths used by both squirrels.

I was really annoyed to spend the remainder of the afternoon with a seam sealer glue closing the many little claw holes, rather than with Jamie Lee Curtis.

Nuts III - That was One Huge Squirrel!

It was a particularly dry and sunny canoeing trip on the Bowron Lakes. We had made camp and all were enjoying the warmth of the sun and the holiday from the rain gods.

I had completed some duties and was returning to my tent for some R&R. My attention was drawn to two squirrels, one of whom was chasing the other up one tree and down another, and along the ground. It provided an unanticipated source of entertainment.

I stood watching when, in a sudden, the path of the chase came directly towards me. The chasee and chaser were oblivious to my presence. As the chased squirrel came within a meter, it became aware of my human rather than arboreal nature and hence not an appropriate escape option. It set its tiny skidding feet in a dusty, stopping action to prevent a collision. The chasing squirrel, which was just on his heels, had little time to react to the sudden stop. It fully collided into the rear end of the chasee, sending both squirrels head over heels into my boots. Fur and dust flying, both came out of their aerial somersault, landed on the ground facing in opposite directions. Any thought of one squirrel dominating the other was quickly set aside as each raced off to avoid one hell of a bigger "squirrel". Oh well, it would provide one great story for their nutlings and grandnutlings in the future.