Least Chipmunk chowing down on a serviceberry – Nikon D500, f9, 1/2500, ISO 640, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Warning: More cute Least Chipmunk photos ahead plus serviceberries high in the Wasatch Mountain Range. I just can’t resist them and I don’t want to.
Least Chipmunk looking for a serviceberry to eat – Nikon D500, f9, 1/2500, ISO 640, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I found this chipmunk in a serviceberry shrub two days ago when the light was wonderful. That morning the light wasn’t always good so I was grateful that it was when I had this cutie in my viewfinder. I love the monsoonal flow when it brings us rain but not so much when it only brings clouds.
Least Chipmunk staring at me – Nikon D500, f9, 1/2500, ISO 640, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Not long after I took this photo of the Least Chipmunk it scurried down from their perch high on top of the serviceberry. It was about the same time as two people with their dogs walked past my Jeep.
Least Chipmunk eating a green serviceberry – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 400, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The chipmunk didn’t go far though, it just moved down to where there were more berries and more leaves to hide behind if there was a need to disappear from view. I watched as the chipmunk grabbed a green serviceberry and started to eat it.
Least Chipmunk making a funny face – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 400, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
This is the next frame. I had to laugh when I saw this image on my large screen at home and could clearly see the funny face it made. Maybe that berry tasted bad or was very tart because by the time I took the next photo that berry had completely disappeared from my view.
I don’t think I will try eating a green serviceberry because of that funny face.
Serviceberry close up – Nikon D500, f13, 1/640, ISO 640, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Serviceberries start out green and then as they grow and get larger a reddish blush starts to develop. These serviceberries aren’t ripe.
Not quite ripe serviceberry close up – Nikon D500, f13, 1/800, ISO 640, -1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
As the berries start to ripen they become a brighter, richer red. These serviceberries aren’t ripe either.
Ripe serviceberries close up – Nikon D500, f13, 1/800, ISO 640, -1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
These dark purplish-blue serviceberries are ripe. From what I can see when birds and animals are eating them they are very juicy. I’m going to have to taste one this year to find out how good they are.
Least Chipmunk stretching for a serviceberry – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 400, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Back to the chipmunk…
The Least Chipmunk stretched way, way out to sniff another serviceberry that was below where it had been perched in the shrub.
Least Chipmunk eating a breakfast berry – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 400, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Which it grabbed and ate for breakfast. I only had this chipmunk in my viewfinder for a bit over than three minutes and it was a delight.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Least Chipmunk photos plus facts and information about this species. Click here to see more of my wildflower, shrub and tree photos.
It is impossible not to love these Chipmunk pics. Interesting pics and note concerning the service berries. Thanks Mia.
Totally cute – and I hope you will report on what service berries taste like. That ‘unripe’ face reminds me of a photo of one of my partner’s nephews as he bit into the orange he was holding aged about two or three. The orange was still in its peel and he obviously didn’t like it at all.
They are wonderful photos. So fun to watch. Was this the same morning we saw each other? Your photos are with sunshine, mine were in diffused partly cloudy light. It makes interesting differences in our photos.
April, it was the same morning that we saw each other. That morning I bumped my ISO up and down more times than I can recall doing in recent times. The light was so variable.
Cutest chipmunks ever– and ultra intense color of the berries is well caught. Wonderful shots!
Wonderful images, it probably was tart if not ripe. We have Service here but never get a chance to see the berries, they are long gone before I remember to look.
So Adorable ! It’s amazing how important service berries are to wild life in nature!
What a fun — and busy — three minutes! I agree that the face is a “this is definitely NOT ripe” face. 😂