Tree Rat

Just a grey squirrel up high in a tree surrounded by foliage and branches. Relied on the shallow DoF to blur out foreground branches to get this.

http://ipc.smugmug.com/Wildlife/Wild.../2014-0504.jpg

Excellent image. Takes me back a few years.

A lot of people don't like them but I have a special affection for them because I used to have one live with me when I was a teenager. Had a cage in the house although he would have free run of the house most of the time. He would sometimes run around the garden as well but always came back into the house and into his cage. My mother used to go nuts because he would tear the threads on the curtains when he ran up them but fair play she put up with it.

Saved him from a building that was being knocked down and he would have died if I hadn't placed him near the fire to warm up. Was too young to survive on his own so used to feed him milk with a ear dropper until he was old enough to eat nuts and berries (and peas off my dinner plate). He used to play fight with my hand and was really gentle but if anyone else reached out to touch him he would give them a nasty bite. . I think he saw me as his parent. (">

Cheers Big Bird. I kinda like them too. Reds are nicer but the greys aren't too bad and they're curious little guys.

Very cool having a wild squirrel live in with you :)

Fabulous capture mate love the DOF as well..really brings the subject to life in the photo

Great shot, he is much chunkier than the ones I normally see! I love the DoF effect, I have being playing with that style shot myself recently.

BigBird.. You used to have a Squirrel live in a cage in your house.. I do not know if I can take you serious anymore! This is mental! my tiny mind cannot quite work it out!

Although in saying that, I do have a Squirrel live on my desk at work (long story behind this but the guys at work think it was funny..)


http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/22/edeqy2yv.jpg

Hi
I know they are just tree rats but they are fun to watch and photograph.
LS
Attachment 28884

nice shot mate, we have hundreds on the campus where i work, cute little things they are

Cheers guys :)

The park (Calderstones) near t me has lots of them, they're not overly trusting and won't come very near but they allow you to get close enough. This one was probably about 15 - 20ft up in the tree. :)

Came out pretty well despite the background Ian.

Paul.

Cheers mate, Background AND foreground lol. F5.6 at 400mm helps. I was right under the tree as well in the shittest light ever, photographing up towards light (not good), had to over compensate on exposure resulting in a slower shutter of course. I took a few attempts to get one sharp enough to use lol. :).