I like pictures that generate a bit of research. This Red Squirrel came to my feeding station. It was the only one which paused at a broken-off stump. Often it would rub against the broken part. It was clearly enjoying it. I still don't know why but it appeared to be self-medicating. Later, I noted that fungi had appeared in the log. That too was investigated. At first I thought that was all but in fact it was eating the fungi. But why only one Squirrel was interested? I don't know. Apparently it is well known that Squirrels eat fungi although they usually just nibble. I have a tentative name for this species - Trametes pubescans. The fungus has now gone. I wonder if it will come back, and whether the Squirrel will eat it again. |