Tuesday 12 October 2010

A few more Squirrels.

I bet you think that my last post was enough Squirrels. But I was so taken by them that I just wanted to show a few more.

These Squirrels are wild but very much used to being fed by visitors to the Grosvenor Park, some are incredibly brave and will take food from ones hand, others will merely approach and collect food near your feet. This obviously allows for great photo opportunities, if you can a) get them to stop squabbling, and b) find a spot where you are alone to feed them as you want them. Some of the best shots though come when they are not aware that you are near.

This one was having a little scratch.


This one was burying its nut, they are quite busy at this time of the year, storing up for the winter.



This one was eating a fungi or mushroom.



The only examples I could see were this one.


It looks like a puffball  but I know someone will tell me its not.

When they were burying their nuts there were raiders waiting to steal the stashes. It was quite amusing watching the magpies following the squirrels around, and the squirrels seemingly unaware what was happening.



All in all, I had a very enjoyable time watching the squirrels. I fully appreciate that they are vermin and that the lack of Red Squirrels in the country is largely down to their presence, but they are incredibly cute.




Click on pictures for larger versions.

Sunday 10 October 2010

Grey Squirrels Up close and Personal.

Dog sitting for my mums dogs means that I'm not allowed to be away from them for too long so I went to a spot in Chester where I know there is a good population of Squirrels. I was quite pleased with some of the results. They are taken with a 300 lens.




I think I would be right in saying that those first two were males.




and this one.


This one below looks like he's waiting for the bus.


I didn't think that he would be able to manage this conker, but....!



This Chiffchaff was also a nice surprise.


I'm going back tomorrow, weather permitting, to try and get a Jay that was flitting around but not close enough for a shot.