How many of you have ever seen a black squirrel? I honestly forgot that they are a bit of a special for the town I live in until I posted this picture online, and people started questioning where I saw a black squirrel!
It’s not the best picture, but I thought he was super cute napping in the tree as I walked by him this afternoon.
I live in Westfield, Massachusetts. My town proudly embraces the black squirrel, and if you visit Westfield you will find the squirrel featured on sweatshirts, signs, postcards, and other types of things. I live in the same town as Westfield University, so our local stores tend to carry more tourist-type items now.
I live less than a mile from a beautiful park known as Stanley Park. The park was started in 1949 by Frank Stanley Beveridge. It’s now an incredibly gorgeous 300 acres with streams, fields, flowers, and ponds that have become one of my favorite places to walk. It also has an incredibly large population of black squirrels. Right around the same time that the park was established, Mr. Frank Stanley Beveridge had been given a pair of black squirrels as a gift from a couple in Michigan that had come out for a conference. They had been kept in a cage, hoping that they would reproduce, and unfortunately, they both died. So the couple came back at a different time with six of the squirrels as a gift. These squirrels were released into the park, where they thrived. You will find more black squirrels around my home than any other kind. I think they are beautiful. They are responsible for the populations in the surrounding towns in my area as well. Because they originated in this area in the park next to my house, our city has become known for them.
This is another great picture of them that I found on Pinterest. I couldn’t find the source. I’m pretty confident This was taken right at Stanley Park I recognize the area. I don’t often take pictures of them as I’m used to seeing them. A lot of them love peanuts in the park as well as a man would bring them peanuts in this one area frequently through the years. This one is in that area, so it will likely just come right up to you to beg for peanuts.
I hope that you have the most magickal day!
Much Love and Many Blessings,
Jasmeine Moonsong
One thought on “The Black Squirrel”
Black squirrels, and Stanley Park, were the best parts of my childhood.