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 – 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 – 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.
I love Squirrels! This is an introduction to a new one. I hope they stay around so you can enjoy them when you visit the park. I would enjoy that. Thanks for sharing your animals…Dog owners need to respect the rules. I don’t let mine chase the birds!
I love the detail in these shots. But it’s mostlythe eye contact that closes the deal. The depth you captured in the Squirrel’s eye is, simply put, spectacular. Thanks Mia.
The dogs on leash rule is one that we often see ignored too. And have seen them chasing kangaroos more than once. They (and their careless owners) would regret it if they caught an old man roo.
Love the ground squirrel and hope that you see many, many more of them.