05/18/2026
Cathie Sonderskov
In 2019, Dutch wildlife photographer Dick van Duijn captured one of the most heartwarming animal photos in Vienna, Austria. According to Business Insider, he had traveled there specifically to photograph European ground squirrels, which are native to Central and Eastern Europe. After spending hours and taking nearly 200 shots, he finally caught the perfect moment when a squirrel held a flower and appeared to bury its face in it, as if smelling it.
According to Snopes, the images are authentic and not digitally altered. The full series shows the squirrel interacting with the flower from different angles, proving it was a genuine wildlife moment. The photos quickly went viral worldwide, with many people interpreting the squirrel’s behavior as a whimsical reminder to “stop and smell the flowers.”
📸Dick van Duijn
