He waited months for this moment 🥹

With spring finally arriving in Southern California, the sleepy season is officially over — and the local ground squirrels are waking up, stretching out, and looking for their first meal in months. These bushy-tailed cuties emerge from their underground burrows ready to soak in the sun, feast on fresh snacks, and enjoy the world they’ve missed during hibernation.

But one squirrel’s wake-up routine was anything but private.

That’s because wildlife enthusiast LouAnne Brickhouse has her property wired with outdoor cameras, perfectly positioned to capture the most magical animal moments. Sharing her discoveries online as The Daily James, Brickhouse has become known for documenting the adorable and often hilarious antics of the wildlife that visits her home.

She’s spent over a decade observing California ground squirrels and knows exactly when they tend to disappear and reappear — hibernating during the cold months and estivating during extreme heat. So when spring rolls around, she makes sure to have their favorite snacks on hand.

“California ground squirrels hibernate and estivate in extreme weather conditions,” Brickhouse explained on Instagram. “We haven’t seen them for months. But now they’re back — and we always have extra romaine lettuce and carrots ready in the fridge.”

Thanks to her respectful approach and minimal interaction, the squirrels feel totally safe on her property. They often lounge, snack, and stretch in peace, knowing they’re in a safe space.

One particularly groggy squirrel recently showed up just after waking from his long hibernation nap. He climbed up to Brickhouse’s back deck, found the fresh veggies she’d left out, and began snacking away. Then, in the most relatable post-nap moment ever, he paused — and treated himself to a full-body stretch.

After spending months curled up in a cozy burrow, the little guy gave it his all — stretching his front legs, back legs, and everything in between. His impromptu yoga session looked like pure bliss. Refreshed and ready, he scarfed down a few more bites and then scampered off into the sunshine for his next adventure.

You can catch the sweet moment of his post-hibernation stretch right [here].

Brickhouse is still keeping a close eye on her other furry friends, knowing more will soon emerge from their winter sleep. For her, having these wild creatures nearby is nothing short of a gift.

“We consider them our friends,” she wrote on The Daily James website. “It’s no exaggeration to say these friends have completely changed our lives — they’ve taught us about love, respect, and what it means to truly connect with the world around us.”