Today's Adorable Animal Video

I’m going to make a bold statement here.  This may be my favorite Adorable Animal Video that I’ve seen.  And given how many Adorable Animals Videos I've posted (not mention watched) that says a lot, most-especially given that it’s 20 minutes long.  Yes, 20 minutes.  This is no three-minute clip filled with well-earned "Awwws."  This, by comparison, is Citizen Kane.  A full 20 minutes.  But it flies by, and is wonderful, fascinating, funny, smart and (above all) joyfully done.  I almost didn't want to call it an "Adorable Animal Video," since that doesn't do it justice.  It's in a category all its own.  

And yes, I know that this is phenomenally high praise, since I don't like to overpraise things.  It's so high to live up to that standard.  But when you present an Adorable Animal Video that's 20 minutes long, sometimes you have to bring the descriptive adjectives and their friends out of your toolbox.  I'll just this:  I'm not saying everyone will love it as much as I do. Just that it's probably my favorite.  But I do think, at the very least, it's hard not to enjoy and admire it.  
 
It’s from a fellow named Mark Rober.  He notes that “Squirrels were stealing my bird seed so I solved the problem with mechanical engineering.”  But that’s like saying “Moby Dick” is about a guy who is mad at a big fish.
 
Among other things, Rober teaches a creative engineering course online.  And it shows here.
 
I should note that the only reason I say this “may be” my favorite Adorable Animal Video I’ve seen is not likely the reason you think.  It has nothing to do with other videos I’ve seen and love, or one's that I don’t necessarily remember at the moment.  While those are both possible, the actual reason is that Rober did a 2.0 version a year later – and it’s…great, maybe even funnier than this!  And this is…brilliant.  It has more charm and whimsy, while 2.0 is more epic.  So, personal taste.

(Not to worry, I'll be posting 2.0 soon...)

My favorite thing in his efforts is probably the “tourist trap.”  It’s – oh, you’ll see.  And to be clear, what makes the video maybe my favorite is not just what he’s doing, but how well this video is made.  His narration is absolutely wonderful, and what leaps out most as that it goes on, despite why he says he’s doing all this, is his great affection for these squirrels.