got real close to a squirrel!!

[Claudillama]

I never have gotten so close to a squirrel before, not to mention staying long enough to grab some awesome photos! Hope you enjoy just like I have! Critiques are welcomed!! :3 it was an awesome experience, want to do it again! But bigger animals!! lol

 

[BrickHouse]

Nice set!

 

[baturn]

Very nice, Especially the fact that you got down to his level.

 

[knswee]

Very nice, like number 2 the best....he shows character.

ken

 

[Claudillama]

OH and if anyone is curious! the equipment I used! Nikon D3100, Iso 100, F/1.8, Shutter speed 1/500. Lens- Nikkor 50mm f1.8 D!!

 

[Claudillama]

Very nice, Especially the fact that you got down to his level.

I feel sorta bad since I tricked it with fake food (><) but I didn't have any near me at the time, and didn't want this opportunity to slip lol.. but it got really really close to me, I could almost touch her. Im glad she stayed long enough to pose a little for me lol

 

[Claudillama]

Very nice, like number 2 the best....he shows character.

ken

My fav one as well!! So happy it posed for me a bit before returning back to the tree!

 

[sm4him]

Very nice shots! I think #2 is my favorite as well, though I'd be tempted to crop some off the top.

But now I'm gonna be a bit of a Negative Nancy...well, I guess I'll have to be a negative Sharon instead of Nancy.
PLEASE do not lure them or any other wildlife with fake food (or even real food, unless it's in your backyard and is really meant for them to eat), not EVEN for the most spectacular photo op possible.
There are many reasons this actually does matter but two of the biggies are:
1. In many places, it is actually illegal to "bait" animals in order to get photos of them. Again, the backyard is one thing, but if this was at a park or something, you could potentially be fined for it. Not likely, but possible.
2. MUCH bigger reason, in my book, especially since you were using "fake" food--You can actually diminish an animal's chance of survival by doing this. Animals expend a LOT more energy than you might realize in something as seemingly simple as collecting food. As a result, until they can rest, their energy reserves are a bit depleted--meaning that the energy that squirrel exerted chasing after what turned out to NOT even be food, might have just made it a bit more likely than it could end up as a hawk's lunch on its way to try to find real food.

I know you just wanted pictures, and you got some good ones! And I certainly don't want to sound like I'm scolding; I hope it's more education. Wildlife Photographers sometimes get a pretty bad rap from other wildlife enthusiasts because of a few unethical sort who will do ANYthing to get a great photo. I tend to go to the other extreme: I believe that if you want to do wildlife photography, you should really educate yourself about what is and what isn't, okay to do. Do nothing that disturbs the animals, causes them distress at all--instead learn their habits and behavior and spend the time it takes to wait it out for THE shot!

 

[DarkShadow]

Nice Squirrel Shots.I am a huge squirrel fan.I would love to belly down for a lot of my shots but getting back up is not all that easy.LOL. All my squirrel shots are from my yard,all the squirrels in a 10 block radius come to my yard where there is lots of black oil sunflower seeds. Away from the backyard, I never bait,unless I am fishing of course.

Just recently my next door neighbor asked whats going on with all the squirrels and birds in my back yard.She said I never seen so many animals in one place.LOL

 

[JacaRanda]

Very nice shots. Way to get down to eye level. I'm jealous that you can do that. argh ughh.

 

[Claudillama]

Very nice shots! I think #2 is my favorite as well, though I'd be tempted to crop some off the top.

But now I'm gonna be a bit of a Negative Nancy...well, I guess I'll have to be a negative Sharon instead of Nancy.
PLEASE do not lure them or any other wildlife with fake food (or even real food, unless it's in your backyard and is really meant for them to eat), not EVEN for the most spectacular photo op possible.
There are many reasons this actually does matter but two of the biggies are:
1. In many places, it is actually illegal to "bait" animals in order to get photos of them. Again, the backyard is one thing, but if this was at a park or something, you could potentially be fined for it. Not likely, but possible.
2. MUCH bigger reason, in my book, especially since you were using "fake" food--You can actually diminish an animal's chance of survival by doing this. Animals expend a LOT more energy than you might realize in something as seemingly simple as collecting food. As a result, until they can rest, their energy reserves are a bit depleted--meaning that the energy that squirrel exerted chasing after what turned out to NOT even be food, might have just made it a bit more likely than it could end up as a hawk's lunch on its way to try to find real food.

I know you just wanted pictures, and you got some good ones! And I certainly don't want to sound like I'm scolding; I hope it's more education. Wildlife Photographers sometimes get a pretty bad rap from other wildlife enthusiasts because of a few unethical sort who will do ANYthing to get a great photo. I tend to go to the other extreme: I believe that if you want to do wildlife photography, you should really educate yourself about what is and what isn't, okay to do. Do nothing that disturbs the animals, causes them distress at all--instead learn their habits and behavior and spend the time it takes to wait it out for THE shot!

Ya I am terribly sorry for doing that. Thank you for the tip!! :3