DEAR JOAN: About two weeks ago I found the squirrel baffle that I hang my bird feeder from on the ground, and the lower hook assembly was missing. I looked for days and never found it. I called my local bird store and they said the squirrel probably ran off with it.<\/p>\n
Now this particular squirrel is a regular visitor and is very smart. He has been trying to get at the bird feeder for three months and can\u2019t figure out how to get around the 2\u00bd-foot metal \u201cumbrella\u201d that I hook my bird feeder to.<\/p>\n
I figured the wind had unwound the baffle and it came apart and fell into my modest garden. Without the lower hook, I could not hang the baffle up again to confound my squirrel, and I suspect he knew that.<\/p>\n
This evening, I was cleaning up around the garden, and I looked down at my feet, directly below where the bird feeder would have been, and there was the lower hook assembly. It was clean with no dirt on it. I heard a rustle in the tree above me, and that clever squirrel was dashing away, but it stopped and looked at me to make sure I saw his \u201cpresent.\u201d Of course I left him a pile of bird seed where he left the hook. I will treat that squirrel with more respect now. Maybe we\u2019re buddies?<\/p>\n
\u2014 John M. Bonds, Cupertino<\/p>\n
DEAR JOHN: I would love to tell you that the squirrel decided to return the hardware for altruistic reasons, but probably not. However, I don\u2019t want to spoil a budding friendship or ruin a great story, so maybe the squirrel was feeling guilty, or maybe it enjoys the challenge of getting to the birdseed.<\/p>\n
People have reported that animals have given them gifts, seemingly in return for a nice gesture from a human. These are heartwarming stories, and these days, we all need to have our hearts warmed.<\/p>\n
Readers, if you have a friendly animal story, please send it to me.<\/p>\n
Happy campers<\/p>\n
The annual John Muir Mountain Day Camp is about to have its first session of the year, July 20 through 24, for children ages 7 to 12, and there are scholarships available. A second session is set for July 27 through 31.<\/p>\n
The camp, which is organized by the John Muir Association with the assistance of trained staff and National Park Service rangers, gives children a wilderness experience in the hills of Mount Wanda.<\/p>\n
The campers will, in the words of Muir, \u201cclimb the mountains and get their good tidings.\u201d There will be guided walks through oak woodlands, hands-on nature science, journaling, sketching, creative projects inspired by Muir\u2019s notebooks and baking sourdough bread using a 147-year-old starter, as well as outdoor games and team challenges.<\/p>\n
Campers are asked to bring lunch each day, and the sessions run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.<\/p>\n