In Search of White Squirrels

I remember the first time I saw a black squirrel. It was a wow moment. Later I even wrote a blog post just for these lovely little critters. But even after living several years in this city, I was not aware that a more exotic version of these beings exists. A few days ago, I saw a mural depicting White Squirrels in the Euclid/Palmerston Laneway. A little google search told me that the nearby Trinity Bellwoods Park is home to these illustrious creatures.

I arrived at the park with a camera in my hand and anticipation in my eyes. But after an hour of roaming through the park and looking up and around the trees I felt a bit frustrated. There were a number of black ones running around, busy with their usual hoarding activities but not a single one of a paler shade was in sight.

Towards the northern end of the park, I spotted a wise-looking old man, contemplating the nature around. I asked him about the white squirrels. It turned out that he only knew Portuguese. I thought that it was a good opportunity to test the capabilities of Google translate. I entered the question on my phone and translated it to him. After a few tries, he was able to understand me (I think). Then I tried to understand his Portuguese in a similar fashion. His answer (I think) was something like this "…. lovely little creatures, … heaven knows where are they (or perhaps, "how the hell do I know!") …. (anyway) good luck with your search … "

Finally, a city worker guided me towards the right spot. It was in the southwestern corner of the park just left of the park’s southern entrance. Another source also confirmed it. There I waited and waited and then waited some more... without any luck. It seemed that perhaps all the white critters were busy somewhere with their day jobs or maybe they have gone to a party together.

The only white squirrels that I spotted on that day were on a mural nearby or on a coffee shop sign around the corner. 

But Trinity Bellwoods is a big park with a lot of facilities, long tracks, and old shady trees. It is a nice place to relax and wander around. Here are all the other snaps of the park that do not include a White Squirrel.

Park's southern entrance and its historical plaque. The area housed Trinity College here from 1852 to 1925. Now only its former entrance remains after the building was demolished in the 1950s.

This plaque reads: 

"Standing here, 

the old man said to me,

long before these crowded streets, 

here stood the dreaming tree"

I think squirrels are very conscious of their public image. Whenever you point a camera towards them, they try to present their best face.

Some old trees in the southwestern corner of the park near Crawford Street. I was told that these are home to the White Squirrels.

Nope, not a White Squirrel, just a pigeon high up the tree doing some kind of meditation I suppose.

This whole episode seems rather disappointing as far as the White Squirrels are concerned but it has also piqued my curiosity further. I plan to come back and meet these furry friends soon.