That's nuts! Wild squirrels pose for charming pictures after photographer hides food around miniature props



A group of wild squirrels have been snapped posing with miniature props for a hilarious set of adorable photographs.

Nancy Rose, 58, was inspired to take the quirky images when she spotted a squirrel sitting on top of a pumpkin she had left in her garden.

She began building her own 'props' for the creatures to interact with, and left miniature items outside surrounded by nuts on her garden decking to entice them closer.

One of the Squirrels pushes a pram with a little baby squirrel doll inside in one of Nancy Rose's hilarious photographs

She created a tiny washing machine, tumble dryer, hats, coats, musical instruments, easel and paint pallette, a boat and a fire place and waited for the animals to visit.

The inquisitive squirrels have gradually learnt that they find nuts if they pick up or look inside the items, and have started frequenting the garden more often.

Nancy patiently waits with her camera and takes more than 100 frames of each squirrel as they move incredibly fast.

Row rodent row: Photographer Nancy Rose, 58, was inspired to take the quirky images when she spotted a squirrel sitting on top of a pumpkin she had left in her garden

Brush strokes: An adorable red squirrel puts the final touches on a piece of art

Sizzle: A curious critter pokes his nose into a miniature barbeque

Pot o' gold: One of the furry fellows tries on a leprechaun's hat in another bonkers picture Nancy, a school counsellor from Nova Scotia in Canada said: 'My squirrel pictures started almost by accident. 'I had a pumpkin sitting on my deck rail and a little wild squirrel came from the woods behind my house and sat on top, posing perfectly, and the ideas just grew. 'They were eating sunflower seeds I had for the birds, but I discovered they loved peanuts and would search around for nuts, find one, bury it and come back for me. 'Eventually I realised that they came at breakfast, lunch and supper times and I was gradually gettting them to pose with various things, an apple, an easter egg, for example.

Doing the washing: Photographer Nancy began building her own 'props' for the creatures to interact with, and left miniature items outside surrounded by nuts on her garden decking to entice them closer

Rainy day: A cheeky squirrel tries on a bright yellow sou'wester in another charming picture

Camp site critter: The inquisitive squirrels gradually learnt that they find nuts if they pick up or look inside the items

Ready for my close-Nut! One of the wild squirrels gets to grips with a miniature camera 'A friend suggested using a tiny mailbox, so I made one, put tiny letters in it and some peanuts and along came the squirrel to 'get his mail'. 'All the photos are taken in my backyard on my deck. I have made a little shelf on the deck railing to give more space to set up little props and backdrops. 'I have a couple of curious squirrels who come and inspect whatever I put out as they search for peanuts which they have learned are hidden in my props. 'I have always been a crafter so I have lots of supplies in my basement to work with, and whenever I shop I keep my eyes open for new ideas. 'Now and then I use photoshop to add a bit of texture to the background and to clone out excess bits of seeds or nut shells from the shots.'

Nuts to this: One of the squirrels tinkers with his camera while scoffing a quick almond

Firm friendship: Photographer Nancy Rose with one of her 'actors' in the back garden of her home

Nancy with a few of her squirrel props in the back garden of her home in Nova Scotia, Canada



