I didn’t have to travel far to take close-up photos of this Fox Squirrel. In fact, I photographed the squirrel when I got home from checking out my local pond.

Fox Squirrel close up in Utah, Salt Lake CountyFox Squirrel close up in Utah – Nikon D500, handheld, f7.1, 1/4000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

When I was driving up the street, I saw two Fox Squirrels in a tree next to the road, but they quickly hid from me. I walked around my Jeep to get my camera from the front passenger seat and started to head towards the garage when I saw this squirrel climbing down the tree trunk.

Fox Squirrel close up in Salt Lake County, UtahFox Squirrel close up in Salt Lake County – Nikon D500, handheld, f7.1, 1/4000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

With no time to set up my tripod, which was in the back of my vehicle, I decided I would just handhold my heavy gear to take photos of the squirrel. While hand holding over 10 pounds of gear, I leaned against the back of my Jeep and focused on the face of the squirrel. I was so close; all I could do was take close-up portraits and hope I’d get a few sharp images.

The squirrel gave me one second, I fired off ten photos in a burst.

Fox Squirrel portrait at home in Utah, Salt Lake CountyFox Squirrel portrait at home in Utah – Nikon D500, handheld, f7.1, 1/4000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

To my delight, every one of the Fox Squirrel photos I took was sharply in focus.

The background of these images might look like a snowy setting. There actually wasn’t any snow on the ground; the white in the background is the siding of a home a distance down the street.

I was definitely thrilled to take these close up squirrel photos at home.

Life is good.

Mia

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