Postcard 6 from Hazel the Squirrel

Hi friends,

I think owl is wise, so I listened to her advice and asked someone who lives on the ground.  But it didn't work.  At least it didn't work yet.  I saw a garter snake on the ground in a grassy area, sunning itself.  So I went down and talked to it.  I was really polite, but you know what the snake did?  It just slithered away through the grass and didn't answer me at all.  "That's not very nice", I thought.

But later on, when I thought about it for a bit I remembered that most snakes aren't talking animals.  I think that snake just didn't understand me.  Besides it might have been a little scared to see a squirrel right up close.  I'm going to look for some other animal who lives on the ground.

Nuts to you!

Hazel

Postcard 5 from Hazel the squirrel

Hi friends,

You know something funny?  I've always been afraid of owl, but I knew she was wise, so I got up my courage and went to ask her.  I hid in a sword fern, just in case.  Owl was very sleepy, but she laughed when she saw me hiding.  "Don't you know I only hunt in the night, or when its just getting dark? You're a day animal."  

I thought whew, that means I don't need to be afraid of her any more. Then I thought about Snowberry, because mice are mostly night animals.  But before I could say anything else Owl kind of chuckled and said "Besides, I don't eat talking animals".   "Oh, " I said, "then have you seen Snowberry?"  She nodded wisely and said, "No, not recently.  But you should ask someone who lives on the ground."  

Why do you think she suggested that?

Am I going nuts?

Hazel

Postcard 4 from Hazel the Squirrel

Hi friends,

I did find the dandelions, but still no mouse.  I wonder where Snowberry has gone?  Do you think I should ask the owl?  The owl is supposed to be wise, but I'm scared of him.  Maybe I'll find a safe place to hide while I ask.

Have you ever tried to eat dandelion seeds?  They're very good, and all kinds of animals can eat them. People can eat them too.  But the seeds are really tiny, and all that fluff gets in the way.  Snowberry likes them, but the fluff makes me sneeze. I like to blow on the fluff and see the seeds float away.  

I'd rather eat nuts!  Wouldn't you?

Hazel

Postcard 3 from Hazel the Squirrel

Hi friends,

I climbed a mossy cedar tree to ask the chickadees if they had seen Snowberry the mouse.  But they weren't flying around in flocks any more, I guess they are busy with their nests.  The couple that I saw didn't want to stop and talk with me, but they did twitter something about dandelion seeds.  

Maybe the dandelions are ready, Snowberry always did like the seeds to eat, so I will go take a look. 

Nuts to you!

Hazel

Postcard 2 from Hazel the Squirrel

Hi friends,

Since Snowberry likes salmonberries, I thought I would look there.  But the berries aren't ripe yet, so I guess I will have to look somewhere else.  I think I will go and ask some birds, they might have seen the mouse.

Nuts to you!

Hazel

Trail Troupers Walk: May 18th 2013

The next Trail Troupers walk will be held next Saturday May 18th at 10am. The leader of the month is Gelareh Modara from Prince of Wales Secondary School. Meet us at 16th Avenue and Sasamat Street for a fun walk about various trees of the park!

Cheers,
Sheida Naderi-Azad
Director, Trail Troupers Program

My name is Hazel

Hello everyone,

Here is the first postcard from the squirrel.  

The winning name, based on the panel of Early Childhood Educators, is Hazel.

Runner up names were Butterscotch, Chestnut, Ginger, and Puffy-tail.

Pille

Here is what Hazel told me:

I think Hazel is a perfect name for me because I love hazelnuts!  There aren't very many hazel trees in the park, but I know where to find some.  There's no nuts now, they won't be ready till the fall.  

I have been looking for my friend Snowberry, but haven't seen the mouse yet.  I'll keep looking and I'll ask my friend Pille to send you photos of where I've been.  

Nuts to you!

Hazel