The Squirrel War

My husband and I are fighting a war against squirrels. Well, if it is a war, they are winning big time. Ever since the temperatures dropped, our backyard is being overrun by squirrels. Sometimes I see six of the furry creatures out there at the same time. A lot of it probably has to do with the fact that we have five bird feeders. They find our sunflower seeds, suet, and wildbird mixture irresistible. Only the thistle escapes their attention because of its small size.
Once, I put vaseline on a metal pole to learn later that it may be harmful for birds. I am now contemplating to spray the metal pole with water during a deep freeze so that the critters slide off. However, since three of our feeders hang on a tree, this won't put a big dent in our big bird feed bill.
On a recent visit to an Audubon nature center, I looked out the picture window only to see two squirrels at their bird feeders. I commented to a volunteer, "I guess you haven't solved the squirrel problem either." She laughed and said, "Yes, and if we can't figure it out, no one can."
So I did what any sensible photographer would do: take a picture of them! If you can't beat them, photograph them. If only they weren't so darn cute...