This morning, I stood at the kitchen window sipping my first cup of coffee, studying the aftermath of last night’s storm. Although still blustery and snowing, the storm looked as if it was on its last legs. Then, I noticed a little stirring in the pristine snow.

And, up through the snow popped this little red squirrel. He disappeared as quickly as he arrived.

Only to appear in another spot, burrowing beneath the snow under the bird feeder. I watched him try to climb the frozen pipe, but he couldn’t find any purchase and slid back down beneath the snow.

Then, he popped up on my buried raised bed, intent on the bird feeder. A split second after taking this picture, he launched himself through the air at the bird feeder, only to land short, plunging unseen into 18 inches of snow.

When that didn’t work, he scampered up the porch post and perched on the empty hook, once again studying the feeder (and me). It appears that we planted the bird feeder just beyond his reach.

He seemed to rejoice when the mourning doves and grackle arrived, sprinkling seed down to the snow below.

Yet, this afternoon when the sun arrived, I found him parked on the edge of the porch roof once again studying the the bird feeder.

That’s one determined little squirrel.