Hey, little buddy -- want a peanut?

I am trying to accustom our regular squirrel visitor to my presence, hoping that some day I'll be able to hand-feed him. When he's on the fence I go out, peanut in hand, and announce myself with the words "Hey, little buddy -- want a peanut?" There's a fencepost that's just barely within my reach, and I put a peanut on top of that post, then retreat.

My biggest success to date, this afternoon: he was way down the fence on my neighbor's property line. At the sight of me, or the sound of my voice, he high-tailed it back toward that fence post, stopping just an arm-length away from the post, and waited. I deposited the peanut and it took him maybe ten seconds to decide it was safe to go get it.

EDIT: Today is Squirrel Appreciation Day. Who knew?

Meanwhile, in beautiful Ely MN, where the current temperature is -8, Lily the Black Bear has given birth to one two cubs. Will there be others? You can watch the den cam, which I find about as exciting as watching paint dry but has many folks mesmerized.

http://www.bear.org/livecams/lily-hope-cam.html