I have a backlog of spring images to go through, including photos of a Rock Squirrel and a blade of grass from the end of April.

Rock Squirrel and a blade of spring grass, Salt Lake County, UtahRock Squirrel and a blade of spring grass – Nikon D500, tripod mounted, f8, 1/1000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I was both surprised and delighted to find several Rock Squirrels at a local park in the city where I live. I never thought of them as being urban creatures until I found them so close to home. Typically, I have photographed them in the Wasatch, Uinta, Oquirrh, and Stansbury mountain ranges. To be able to photograph them at my local park has been a treat.

This adult Rock Squirrel was very cooperative, which allowed me to take portraits of it as it nibbled and ate the fresh spring grasses. In this photo, the long blade of grass in front of the squirrel caught my eye. I wondered if the squirrel would eat the blade of grass.

Rock Squirrel eating a blade of grass, Salt Lake County, UtahRock Squirrel eating a blade of grass – Nikon D500, tripod mounted, f8, 1/1000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I kept my focus on the squirrel and the blade of grass long enough to watch it grab it, and the blade of grass disappeared. In the next image that blade of grass was completely gone.

I am enjoying photographing and observing these urban Rock Squirrels.

They disappear when people walk by with unleashed dogs but reappear soon after the dogs leave. The park has a rule that dogs must be on a leash, but I’ve seen people, including photographers, ignore that rule.

I hope these squirrels stick around. They are fun to photograph and watch.

Life is good.

Mia

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