Day 16: The Douglas Squirrel (Tamiasciurus douglasii, also known as the Chickaree) is one critter all Pacific Northwesterners recognize, although many believe that the red phase and the grey phase are two different breeds. This little fellow changes his coat seasonally so that he is often called "Red Squirrel" and "Grey Squirrel" in turn. His grey summerwear is silvery top and bottom, as opposed to his more colorful winter outfit shown in this image. Very common in cities and forests alike, these brazen animals will run up an outstretched leg or climb inside a backpack to forage for goodies. Look closely, and you will see that this one sports an earring, a tag which identifies him and will help monitor his activities in the experimental forestry station where he roams freely among a mixture of deciduous and evergreen trees.
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