Did Cupertino squirrel suddenly grow a conscience?

DEAR JOAN: About two weeks ago I found the squirrel baffle that I hang my bird feeder from on the ground and the lower hook assembly was missing. I looked for days and never found it. I called my local bird store and they said the squirrel probably ran off with it.

Now this particular squirrel is a regular visitor and is very smart. He has been trying to get at the bird feeder for 3 months and can’t figure out how to get around the 2½-foot metal “umbrella” that I hook my bird feeder to.

I figured the wind had unwound the baffle and it came apart and fell into my modest garden. Without the lower hook I could not hang the baffle up again to confound my squirrel and I suspect he knew that.

This evening, I was cleaning up around the garden and I looked down at my feet, directly below where the bird feeder would have been, and there was the lower hook assembly. It was clean with no dirt on it. I heard a rustle in the tree above me and that clever squirrel was dashing away but it stopped and looked at me to make sure I saw his “present.” Of course I left him a pile of bird seed where he left the hook. I will treat that squirrel with more respect now. Maybe we’re buddies?

— John M. Bonds, Cupertino

DEAR JOHN: I would love to tell you that the squirrel decided to return the hardware, and for altruistic reasons, but probably not. However, I don’t want to spoil a budding friendship, or ruin a great story, so maybe the squirrel was feeling guilty, or maybe it enjoys the challenge of getting to the bird seed.

People have reported that animals have given them gifts, seemingly in return for a nice gesture from a human. These are heartwarming stories and these days, we all need to have our hearts warmed.

Readers, if you have a friendly animal story, please send it to me.

Happy campers

The annual John Muir Mountain Day Camp is about to have its first session of the year, July 20-24, for children ages 7-12, and there are scholarships available. A second session is set for July 27-31.

The camp, which is organized by the John Muir Association with the assistance of trained staff and National Park Service rangers, gives children a wilderness experience in the hills of Mount Wanda.

The campers will, in the words of Muir, “climb the mountains and get their good tidings.” There will be guided walks through oak woodlands, hands-on nature science, journaling, sketching and creative projects inspired by Muir’s notebooks, baking sourdough bread using a 147-year-old starter, as well as outdoor games and team challenges.

Campers are asked to bring lunch each day, and the sessions run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

For more information, and to sign up, visit the website at johnmuirassociation.org/muircamp. To apply for a scholarship, call Jill Harcke, the camp founder, at 510-701-3254. Cost for the sessions are $400, with discounts available on the website.

The Animal Life column runs on Mondays. Contact Joan Morris at [email protected].