Meet the Chipmunks

My quest to get to know the chipmunks that frequent my back yard is going well.  I'm finding out that I can tell some of them apart, so I thought I'd give you an introduction.

This is "Little 'Un."  She will come close, but only after she has seen some of the others eating on the patio.  I don't have any close pictures of her, because the minute I lift my camera, she runs.  She's smaller than the others, quite the dainty little thing, and her coat is paler.  Here she's going after some sunflower seeds that I threw into the grass, a little closer to me, but still in her safety zone.

This is "The Big Guy."  He's head honcho, boss man, king of the hill.  When he wants his sunnies, he chases everyone else away.  He is bigger than the other chipmunks, his color is rich and dark, and he just exudes attitude.  He was the first chipmunk to figure out that the dish held sunflower seeds.  He came, this time, complete with faithful fly sidekick.

And, the is my favorite, "Shorty."  I call him that because the very tip of his tail is missing.  He's not worried at all about me, and scurries around under my chair and between my feet.  But, "The Big Guy" has him cowed.  He won't go anywhere near the sunnies, while that one is around.  But, as soon as TBG has his pouches full and scurries away to his nest to stockpile his prizes, "Shorty" is there, getting his share.  Sometimes, he doesn't get a full load before TBG comes back, but he manages to get quite a few.

There are more chipmunks around, but, these three are the only ones who, so far, have been brave enough to gather food on the patio while I'm out there.  Maybe, as time goes by, I'll be able to introduce you to more new friends.