Peek-a-boo Rock Squirrel close up – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Some times circumstances beyond my control can really mess up what might have been excellent opportunities for the images I was attempting to obtain. People walking, running, biking, and driving by can mess up my chances for taking images by startling my subjects and so can the loud noises of a vehicle being started, the annoying beeps and dings some vehicles make, aerial predators moving past in the sky or even the sound of tires on gravel. Lots of things can make a wild bird or animal take off even an ill-timed sneeze, a cough, a door opening or a cell phone ringing is enough at times.
In mid August I was attempting to get close up photos of a Rock Squirrel that was actively feeding on serviceberries in the Wasatch Mountains and two things happened that ruined my chances for better images. I was able to move slowly towards the squirrel in my Jeep without startling it until I was close enough to the squirrel that I could watch its every movement and while the squirrel did keep watching me it never seemed alarmed by my presence.
By the time I stopped my Jeep I was near enough to it to get close up portraits of the Rock Squirrel and I was willing to wait to see if I could get a clear view of the squirrel that didn’t have out of focus leaves and branches in front of it. I waited and watched the squirrel. I wasn’t in a rush and I would have sat there for an hour to take the image I was envisioning. I knew if the squirrel moved up the serviceberry bush branches I would be able to get a great view of its face with a beautiful, clean background.
After about five minutes of waiting I heard the distant sound of feet slapping the road, looked around and saw a jogger moving on the dirt road towards where I sat in my Jeep and to make matters worse at about the same time I heard a diesel pickup coming from the opposite direction. The jogger and the noisy pickup crossed paths just behind my Jeep and that seemed to be too much human activity for the Rock Squirrel who quickly climbed down the bush and disappeared from my sight.
I really had hoped to get a better, clearer close up portrait of the Rock Squirrel than the image above. Perhaps another time on another day with less traffic.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of Rock Squirrel photos plus facts and information about this species.
Love your narrative and I feel your pain. But it was worth it…the pic is terrific. Thanks Mia.
Sorry to read about so your frustration but enjoyed the image and all the info. After a search I discovered that we have a recent addition to our squirrel species in Utah: the fox squirrel. “The area that fox squirrels have invaded is shared by two Utah-native squirrel species—the rock squirrel, and the American red squirrel. While these three squirrel species now share the same region, they occupy different niches within it.”
Read more and see photos: https://nhmu.utah.edu/blog/foxSquirrel
I am glad that there will be other days. For you and for the squirrel.
Adorable and frustrating.