Thoughtful Squirrel

Whilst on holiday last week I spent quite a while trying to encourage some Red Squirrels out of some scrub and trees into a more open area with a background of bracken. The problem was that they are in full-on collecting mode at the moment and never seem to stay still for a second, or have a mouth full of peanuts.

Eventually one would take a break which allowed me a few shots. I had to feel sorry for them as all their hard work was undone at night when the Badgers came along to unearth what had been buried!

1D3 500mm ISO:640 1/500 sec @f/4

Thanks for looking

Simon

This is a superb squirrel shot, I love the background, I love the composition. However, I do think it needs a bit of a lift as it looks a bit dark to me. A little work with the levels command could really improve this shot.

David

Hi Simon, always nice to see these little fellows compared to the 'greys'.

I would be tempted to agree with David, it does look a little dark, however that might have reflected last weekends weather with you I might also tone down/remove the two light grass stems, as I find them a little distracting. Was it taken on the 10 mile hike by you?

Steve

Thanks David and Steve, the brightness is probably accurate given the weather last week but I agree a little lift to the levels helps. I take the point about the grass stems Steve so I've done a quick clone. This critter is from Arran, although I'm going to visit the local ones this week (luckily I don't have the 10 mile hike to contend with ).

The repost is an improvement-nicely composed

Dave

Great shot !
Maybe a tiny bit dark but I like pictures with a bit of guts to them.
Just personal prefs anyway.
Cheers
JohnR

Like it loads, a lovely composition.

Great shot and nicely framed

I prefer the doctored repost

What a cracking shot - I prefer the repost.

Repost in particular is a well composed and thought out image - worth the effort of tempting them out for sure!



mark

This is just gorgeous! Love the comp and the comlementary bg.

Des

The second one is a cracker Simon but I would be more than happy to have either in my portfolio.

Deffo the second for me too, removing the blade of grass makes a lot of difference. A real pleasure to view.

Fran

Simon, it now 'ticks the boxes' IMHO. I am not sure if the hike is worth it, but you will know better than I do

Lovely image,the composition is very nice and the detail and colours are very nice,great image Simon

Great shot, one of the most interesting red squirrel shots I've seen.

Greg

Love it! I agree second post is much better.

Great and very well composed squirrel shot. The setting is wonderful. Well done.

Hello Simon.

Super squirrel shot and love the background it just goes perfectly with the squirrel.

Nice shots of the squirrels. The second post looks better.

Nice tones throughout and nice to see the red in a slightly different habitat.

Ian