This is not the squirrel I saw. The one I spotted this morning seemed to prefer travelling on foot.


Back in Toronto you can't drive more than two meters anywhere in the city without spotting a squirrel either scampering across the road, or making it his final resting place. In Japan however, squirrels are a lot harder to come by. In the nearly three years that I`ve lived here I have never once seen a squirrel. Living in the 'inaka' as I do, I often find myself driving alone on mountainous country roads. As a result, I have spotted quite a few rabbits, foxes, weasels, plenty of tanuki(s?) and even a few monkeys, but never before a squirrel. Why are there so few of these fast breeding rodents in this country? Is it because of a lack of nut bearing trees? Is it because Japanese cities have so few parks? Perhaps they just don`t stand a chance here against the ubiquitous murders of giant crows.



Anyway, I certainly feel blessed that I was able to see live and in person one of Japan`s most elusive creatures before I return home. Perhaps there is still hope for me in my ongoing battle with Luke to be the first to photograph a wild bear. Maybe after work today I'll cover myself in honey and hike up Eboshi mountain. I have a good feeling that today might be the big day!