Adult Rock Squirrel on a lichen encrusted boulder, Wasatch Mountains, Summit County, UtahAdult Rock Squirrel on a lichen encrusted boulder – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I spent the morning up in the Wasatch Mountains yesterday where one of the furry creatures I saw and photographed was a Rock Squirrel on a lichen encrusted boulder. In the eleven years that I have lived in northern Utah I have had difficulties getting the photos I have desired of this squirrel species. Light angles have been wrong, the shooting angle was too steep, the squirrels were mostly hidden by vegetation or rocks or a vehicle, sound or person made the squirrels hide.

Once in a while things go right though and yesterday the photography gods must have smiled down on me because everything went right after I spotted this Rock Squirrel resting on the top of a boulder. The lichen was the frosting on the boulder.

Rock Squirrel on a lichen covered boulder in the Wasatch Mountains, Summit County, UtahRock Squirrel on a lichen covered boulder in the Wasatch Mountains – Nikon D500, f9, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I had to go up the dirt road to turn around and come back to the squirrel before I could raise my lens from the driver’s side window. Fortunately my Jeep has an excellent turning radius and I was able to make the turn quickly so I could get back to the squirrel.

Some cars and a motorcycle went past as I photographed the Rock Squirrel and it stuck. In fact I was glad the motorcycle went past because the squirrel turned its head back towards me as it checked it the noisy bike out.

I left the squirrel on its lofty, lichen covered perch and headed home thrilled that I had gotten these long desired photos along with a wonderfully peaceful and relaxing morning in the mountains.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Rock Squirrel photos plus facts and information about this species.