SA Guide: Grand Canyon National Park

For most of us, squirrels are, at best, a mundane and ubiquitous part of the outdoor landscape. At worst, they're disease carrying pests that are perhaps more tolerable than mice or rats but not so much that we look upon them as an enhancement of the natural experience. I will admit that this has been my attitude as well. Aside from the odd cool fact - e.g., I do think it's pretty neat that adult ground squirrels develop a significant immunity to rattlesnake venom, and along with that often a rather bold aggressiveness toward them - I have never given squirrels much thought, or credit for having any redeeming features.

If you share this approach, let me tell you about a furry, black, house-cat sized critter with a striking white tail and large, tasseled ears. This little guy has a habit of digging up truffles or grabbing pine cones on the forest floor, running through the leaf litter carrying them in his mouth, and then sitting up, bracing the morsels between its cute little paws, and chowing down. Ladies and gentlemen, look to the left and meet the Kaibab Squirrel. I know, right? That little fur ball actually is kind of adorable. Turns out I may have judged squirrels too quickly. 

Now take that lesson, expand it to monumental proportions, and you have our recent trip to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in a...(ahem)...nutshell.