Dramatic Changes Expected

Now that the storm has passed--and I actually saw Chip-Chip scampering out on the fresh snow, which means the crusty surface was strong enough to resist his prints, or he's so light that he's never had to invest in snowshoes. At any rate, today the snow will be melting soon as the temperatures rise into the sultry 50-degree range. Hey, it's Minnesota. Warmth is a matter of perspective.

The snow has also had an unintended effect on the chipmunk. Since they have nowhere else to find food, the local birds have been raiding Chip-Chip stashes. They're not shy about it either. Though birds generally compete with each other for available food, they won't hesitate to conspire against Chip-Chip to swipe his food supply. (One will fuss at him while the other sneaks up from behind to steal a single sunflower seed--which means that it's sort of a theft in slow motion.)

Being a loner doesn't always serve the best interests of a chipmunk. And the competition will only grow in numbers and species; Chip-Chip will soon find himself up against grey squirrels, surly rabbits, crabby moles, creepy mice, the occasional raccoon (although they tend not to share the same work shift), and the odd (literally) oppossum; then there are the birds, the grackles and sparrows and blue jays and crows, to name a few--but the worst ones are not competition at all. They are the predators, the neighborhood hawks and the cuddly cats with razor-like claws and prehistoric fangs--not to mention the runny-nosed toe-head with the freshly filled BB gun.

And as always, there are the speeding cars driven by surly teens, some of whom get some sort of perverse pleasure out of running down critters--and dogs and cats. You know who you are. Get some help.