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Woodland Treat


Woodland Treat
Photo Information
Copyright: Mish PM (Finland_in_Eton) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 156 W: 23 N: 225] (876)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-07-15
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50
Exposure: f/3.7, 1/50 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Mammals of the British Isles [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-07-16 3:59
Viewed: 1142
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Another weekend out fishing and another weekend of superb bird watching plus the treat of seeing a Wood Mouse, Bank Vole, Rat (I don't mind rats in the wild, it's where they belong) and a Grey Squirrel. The first three were far too shy and quick for me to get any photos. The Squirrel, on the other hand, discovered the digestive biscuits (graham crackers) I had put out for the birds and gave me plenty of time for photos while it nibbled away. It was in excellent condition with a sleek coat and full, fluffy tail. The wet weather we've been having must be producing an abundance of food. Either that or other anglers have been feeding her. I say "her", as mammary glands were quite visible, but I can't be certain, not being a squirrel expert.

The lighting wasn't the best, the Squirrel remained in the shade. It was another of those days where the sun was alternately in and out, lots of cloud scudding across the sky. As a result, I am quite pleased with the quality of this image. I cropped it slightly to move the subject off center, used the color fade tool to brighten the colors and then used the clarify tool to enhance the contrast and detail. This was done in Paint Shop Pro Photo XI.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

I found the following information on the "Young People's Trust for the Environment", it's well worth taking a look at their site, they do good work in raising environmental awareness in young people.


"The grey squirrel was introduced to Great Britain in the mid-19th century and after many releases it began to increase dramatically at the beginning of this century, mainly spreading from Woburn Park, Bedfordshire. It is now one of Britain's most well-known and frequently seen mammals, being much more common than the native red squirrel.

Man is the main predator of grey squirrels in Britain. Foresters, gamekeepers, park keepers and many conservationists regard grey squirrels as pests, mainly because they damage trees. Young saplings are destroyed and they gnaw the bark of hardwood trees, such as beech and sycamore, to get at the nutritious sapwood below. The raw scar left on the trunk encourages fungal attack and may lead to distorted growth.

In many forest areas, the grey squirrel population is controlled by trapping and shooting. Gamekeepers shoot the squirrels on private estates. The Forestry Commission and National Trust also trap and shoot grey squirrels. It is illegal to keep, import and release grey squirrels in Britain, unless you have a special licence from the Ministry of Agriculture or Secretary of State for Scotland.

Although the grey squirrel is a pretty, appealing and entertaining little animal, it can be a great nuisance in a garden, especially to a bird lover. It is very bold and soon learns to take food from bird tables and chew through baskets of peanuts. It will also destroy birds' nests to eat eggs and nestlings.

It was once thought that grey squirrels drove out and killed red squirrels. There is no evidence to support this theory but they certainly seem much stronger and more adaptable than our native squirrel and have taken over many of its former territories."
joey, PaulH, Kaszek, Proframe, mayuresh, vanderschelden, earthtraveler, uleko, lise, rcrick, gypsygirl58 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2001 W: 226 N: 6845] (24727)
  • [2007-07-16 4:06]

Hi Mish,
an excellent shot of this Grey Squirrel.
Sharp and detailed.
Brilliant POV.
Well done,
Joe

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1112 W: 23 N: 3660] (13089)
  • [2007-07-16 4:11]

Hi Mish,
a lovely capture, she does indeed look well fed and in good condition. I like the pose with the cracker and the focus is great too. It's true that the Grey's haven't killed or driven out the Reds, it's more a case of the Reds being a weaker species more prone to disease and sensitive to changes in their environment...although i'm sure the competition doesn't help. Good job.
Paul

Hello Mish,
Great photo of the Squirrel. Nice pose, full of details. Good POV.
TFS
Lukasz

Hi Mish,
oh what a great POV you had on this little guy...cute shot! Love the rich woodsy color ...TFS
Donna:o)

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1351 W: 0 N: 5494] (16524)
  • [2007-07-16 5:11]

Hi Mish

WOnderful POV with great eyecontact. Good detail too.

James

Hello Mish,
Beautiful capture of this squirrel.
They always pose so lovely when eating someting standing on there back feet.
Great sharpness and exposure and the detailed fur and light in the eye are wonderful.
Thanks for sharing.
Best wishes,
Harry

what a cute shot of grey squirrel,wonderful pose,excellant pov with details,great composition,well done

Hello Mish,
Nice image. Well composed.
Well done
TFS
Annick

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2007-07-16 8:02]

Hi Mish,

A wonderful capture of this squirrel daintily eating the graham cracker. It must be a she judging from the way she eats! Wonderful focus - marvelous details from head to toe to tail - lovely natural colors and setting.

Jane

Very fine squirrel shot Mish.
The clear focus and natural light,color are super.
TFS
Richard

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3001 W: 162 N: 989] (2897)
  • [2007-07-16 9:39]

Hello Mish,
This is a great capture of the Grey Squirrel that didn't seem very popular in England, although I think it is just as beautiful and charming as our red squirrels. Your capture is very sharp and colours natural. I love its pose with the head slightly turned and the fluffy tail on the side, and those big
feet!
Many thanks and regards, Ulla

  • Great 
  • lise Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 172 W: 51 N: 548] (2875)
  • [2007-07-16 15:00]

Hello Mish,
This fellow is so cute! Excellent details and sharpness.
Bravo.
Lise

  • Great 
  • rcrick Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 717 W: 38 N: 1560] (5019)
  • [2007-07-16 19:48]

Hi Mish, excellent shot, great POV, good DOF, love the light in the eye, nicely captured....tfs Rick

Hi Mish,
Lovely image of this Squirrel! Wonderful sharpness and details in the fur and a great pose with the cracker in its paws. Well done and TFS
Cheers Tina :-)

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 4 N: 3262] (14691)
  • [2007-07-17 2:22]

Mish, I love this shot. I love squirrel and this pose is very special. Well done and TFs Ganesh

Hello Mish,
Great portrait of this little fella: love the pose and the image clarity. Great notes, too - I'll be checking out your web site shortly!
Best wishes,
Jeff

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