Garden Visitors

On warm mornings and afternoons, we love spending time in our garden. It’s our little retreat, a place where time slows down. But we’re never alone.

Our neighbor's cats are frequent guests, slipping through the fence or gates with effortless grace. They stretch lazily over the swings or sniff the catnip with an air of indulgence.

Portrait of a black cat sitting among white hydrangeas in a flowClose-up of a black cat sitting among white hydrangeas in a flower garden Portrait of a black cat standing among white hydrangeas in a vibPortrait of a black cat standing among white hydrangeas in a vibrant flower garden, UK. Portrait of a cute black cat with yellow eyes standing near a blClose-up of a cute black cat with yellow eyes standing near a blossoming catnip plant in a garden

From time to time, a fox appears—cautious yet sweet and curious.

Portrait of a cute red fox cub sitting among garden flowersClose-up of a cute red fox cub sitting among garden flowers Portrait of a cute red fox cub standing in a flower gardenPortrait of a cute red fox cub standing in a flower garden, UK. Portrait of a cute red fox cub sitting among garden flowersClose-up of a cute red fox cub sitting among garden flowers Portrait of a cute red fox cub sitting in a flower gardenPortrait of a cute red fox cub sitting in a flower garden, UK.

In summer, flowers attract bees and butterflies. Close-up of a honey bee on purple salvia flower collecting nectaClose-up of a honey bee on purple salvia flower collecting nectar, UK. Bird feeders are visited by goldfinches, blue tits, great tits, robins, long tailed tits and the occasional chaffinch or sparrow. Doves, pigeons, jays and magpies linger below, picking at leftover seeds and nuts. Even a sparrowhawk pays a visit to our garden.

Grey squirrels are frequent visitors of our garden. They used to be little bandits, relentless in their pursuit of food. No bird feeder was safe from their nimble paws and sharp teeth.

Grey squirrel eating sunflower seeds on a bird feederGrey squirrel eating sunflower seeds on a bird feeder, UK.

But once we built special feeders just for them, they settled into their role as welcome residents.

Portrait of a grey squirrel eating green hazelnut on a squirrelClose-up of a grey squirrel eating green hazelnut on a squirrel feeder

Now, they hang around all year, bounding across branches, tails twitching as they chase one another in playful bursts of energy.

Grey squirrel holding nut on a mossy tree branchGrey squirrel holding nut on a mossy tree branch, UK. Close-up of a grey squirrel jumpingClose-up of a grey squirrel jumping, UK.

Grey squirrel eating nuts on a mossy tree stumpGrey squirrel eating nuts on a mossy tree stump, UK. Grey squirrel eating green hazelnuts on a mossy tree stumpGrey squirrel eating green hazelnuts on a mossy tree stump, UK.

Autumn is their favorite season as the garden transforms into a banquet of hazelnuts, chestnuts, and oak acorns, which they eagerly gather, before burying their treasures in the soil—only to forget half of them.

Grey squirrel eating green acorn on a tree stump in autumnGrey squirrel eating green acorn on a tree stump in autumn, UK.

Portrait of a grey squirrel eating acorn on a tree stump in autuPortrait of a grey squirrel eating acorn on a tree stump in autumn, UK. Portrait of a grey squirrel eating green hazelnut on a mossy trePortrait of a grey squirrel eating green hazelnut on a mossy tree stump in autumn, UK. Portrait of a grey squirrel eating green hazelnuts on a tree stuPortrait of a grey squirrel eating green hazelnuts on a tree stump in autumn, UK.

Grey squirrel eating sweet chestnut fruit on a tree stump in autGrey squirrel eating sweet chestnut fruit on a tree stump in autumn, UK. Grey squirrel eating sweet chestnut fruits in autumnGrey squirrel eating sweet chestnut fruits in autumn, UK.

One particular squirrel had an unusual preference: plums.

Portrait of a grey squirrel eating red plum on a tree stump in aPortrait of a grey squirrel eating red plum on a tree stump in autumn, UK.

Every last plum vanished from our tree, long before they had the chance to ripen and turn sweet. 

Strawberries never seemed to excite them much. Still, they would occasionally take a bite or two—perhaps hoping to find a hidden sweetness, before discarding the half-eaten fruit on the ground.

Grey squirrel holding strawberry on a garden fenceGrey squirrel holding strawberry on a garden fence, UK.

The feast goes on until the bellies are full and it's time for a nap.

Portrait of a cute grey squirrel lying on a ash tree branchPortrait of a cute grey squirrel lying on a ash tree branch, UK.

And so, our garden remains a place of quiet company, where the seasons change, yet the visitors stay the same—furry, feathered, and full of mischief.