Hide & Seek!

Our family is extremely fortunate to have a "home entertainment center" just outside our kitchen. We typically have various woodland & wetland birds come to our birdfeeders, and there are occasional squirrels and raccoons that try to raid the larder. One of my sources of entertainment is to watch the squirrels try to get into our squirrel-proof birdfeeders! It's a hoot to watch the squirrels try to figure out how to get in, etc., and then fall to ground when they lose their grip.

I happened to have my camera in the kitchen today while one of our squirrels was around. He didn't seem to like me pointing my camera at him, so he decided to hide in the arbor vitae...

Pentax K20d, 600 mm of lens, ASA800, f/4, 1/750", and some jpg compression issues...

Tim!

The little buggers have a way of raising havoc at bird feeders but it sure is fun to watch them.

Yes squirrels ar a bit like photographers always checking everything out, and looking for something more. Nice catch.

Cute catch, Tim. Most of the squirrels in my yard are too bold and don't give a hoot if I'm outside with the camera.

Looks like quite a rascal. They are indeed opportunists. I like the mischievous sense this image has. Anyone who has watched squirrels probably will react to it in some way. The bokeh seems a bit funky for whatever reason, probably a lens property or that pesky compression you mentioned. Were you shooting through a window/screen?

Yes, Joel, I was shooting through a window (double glaze) which likely accounts for some of the weirdness in the photo. I saw it, too, as I was processing it, but until you mentioned the window, I hadn't thought of that...

Tim!

I would guess that's exactly what caused it. No biggie, just an observation from someone who's to picky for his own good!