Grey Squirrels are not my favourite animal; they have driven out their native cousins, the Red Squirrels in the UK. However, it seems they are very much here to stay. My opinions on the creatures changed recently due to a chance encounter with one of these cautious but friendly creatures.
First, he came begging for food by sitting on the garden furniture only a few feet from my family and me. Not wishing to encourage this behaviour, we didn't feed him. However, he was pretty happy for us to take pictures and let me follow him out into the forest.
He was pretty playful out there in his domain, again letting me get close but not too close. I am sure he expected some reward for the modelling work.
This encounter changed my mind; whilst I am sad an invasive species are chasing out the Red Squirrel, there was still a special moment enjoying his presence in a natural habitat.
All of the pictures in this post were taken by 