While walking through his hometown of Olney, Illinois, Elliott Atherton came across a charming sight: three white squirrels darting around a tree trunk, chasing one another in the sunshine.
In Olney, white squirrels are more than just unusual wildlife — they’re beloved icons. The town has a long history with the rare creatures, and locals treat them as a source of pride and wonder.
“My reaction to seeing these white squirrels playing together was pure joy,” Atherton told The Dodo. “I love witnessing everything nature has to offer.”
Delighted by the moment, Atherton paused to take a few photos. He admired how the trio stood out so vividly against the bark — their snowy fur glowing in the light. But as he reviewed his pictures, something caught his eye.
There weren’t just three squirrels on the tree. There were four.
Hidden just below the white squirrels was another squirrel — this one a typical gray. He’d been there the whole time, perfectly camouflaged against the tree, his fur blending into the background while his white-coated companions stole the show.
It was such an easy miss that Atherton almost laughed. “The gray one was so well hidden, I didn’t even notice him at first,” he said.
When he shared the photos online, viewers had the same reaction. “A lot of people commented, ‘I almost missed the gray one!’” Atherton said.
Though it wasn’t his intention, the photos turned into a real-life “Where’s Waldo?” — a playful reminder that nature always holds surprises if you slow down enough to notice them.
“So far, everyone’s reactions have been really positive,” Atherton said. “They love the photo — and I just love being able to share a little bit of joy.”
