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Peek-a-Boo


Peek-a-Boo
Photo Information
Copyright: Manyee Desandies (manyee) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3067 W: 231 N: 6167] (21074)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-11-10
Camera: Canon Powershot S3 IS
Exposure: f/3.5, 1/60 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Peek A Boo [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-01-09 1:34
Viewed: 873
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 36
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Fox Squirrel
Sciurus niger

The Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger) is the largest species of tree squirrels native to North America. They are also sometimes referred to as the Stump-eared Squirrel, Racoon Squirrel, or Monkey-faced Squirrel.

The Fox Squirrel's natural range extends throughout the eastern United States, excluding New England, north into the southern prairie provinces of Canada, and west to the Dakotas, Colorado, and Texas. They have been introduced into Northern California. While very versatile in their habitat choices, fox squirrels are most often found in forest patches of 400,000 square metres or less with an open understory. They thrive best among trees such as oak, hickory, walnut and pine that produce winter-storable foods like nuts. Western range extensions in Great Plains regions such as Kansas are associated with riverine corridors of cottonwood.

Total body length measures 45 to 70 cm, tail length is 20 to 33 cm, and they range in weight from 500 to 1000 grams. There is no sexual dimorphism in size or appearance. Individuals tend to be smaller in the west. There are three distinct geographical phases in coloration: in most areas the animals are brown-grey to brown-yellow, while in eastern regions such as the Appalachians there are more strikingly-patterned dark brown and black squirrels with white bands on the face and tail. In the south can be found isolated communities with uniform black coats.

Fox Squirrels depend primarily on tree seeds for food, but they are generalist eaters and will also consume buds and fruits, cultivated grain, insects, birds' eggs, and small lizards. Cannibalism has been reported, but should be considered very rare. In their regular diet of nuts, fox squirrels are classic scatter-hoarders that bury caches of nuts in dispersed locations, some of which are inevitably left unretrieved to germinate.

Fox Squirrels are strictly diurnal, non-territorial, and spend more of their time on the ground than most other tree squirrels. They are still, however, agile climbers. They construct two types of homes, depending on the season--summer dreys are often little more than platforms of sticks high in the branches of trees, while winter dens are usually hollowed out of tree trunks by a succession of occupants over as many as 30 years. Cohabitation of these dens is not uncommon, particularly among breeding pairs.

There are two breeding seasons, one peaking in December and the other in June. The young are blind, without fur and helpless at birth. They become independent at about three months and maturity is reached after one year. Their maximum life expectancy is 12.6 years for females and 8.6 years for males. Humans, hawks, snakes and bobcats prey on the squirrels.

Source
loot, Argus, coasties, uleko, vanderschelden, marjan, scottevers7, SunToucher, carper, Evelynn, kojak, jeanpaul, glazzaro has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To kojak: Shymanyee 1 01-09 21:20
To Argus: Squirrelmanyee 1 01-09 02:20
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • loot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5452 W: 594 N: 3662] (10065)
  • [2007-01-09 1:54]

Hi ManYee

What a nosy little character with his pointy ears and super long whiskers.

This is a great composition and you couldn’t set up a better POV even if you tried. This little rodent sure knew how to make this “peek-a-boo” scenario work to the best of your advantage. Stunning stuff.

Technically it is also a winner with all aspects properly in place. From the pleasant natural colours, the stunning details, the pleasing BG, and up to the perfectly controlled exposure this photo spells one thought, “visual delight”.

Excellent work and TFS.
Regards
Loot

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3825 W: 190 N: 11396] (35111)
  • [2007-01-09 2:06]
  • [+]

Hi Manyee,
This is a real goodie, sharp, fantastic POV and comp and a plus for me is that it is a new species.
Did you take this in a local nature reserve or park?
TFS and best wishes, Ivan

Hi Manyee

Perfect low POV. Love the composition. Nice colours with good clarity and sharpness. Nice work. TFS.

hi manyee,
lovely shot,
well saturated colours,
nice pov,
well done,
tfs & regards
pankaj

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3001 W: 162 N: 989] (2897)
  • [2007-01-09 4:40]

Hello Manyee,
Lovely shot of this little squirrel trying to hide. Great details and lovely natural colours. Very nice composition!
TFS and regards, Ulla

Nice shot, Manyee.
Good compo.
Well done
TFS
Annick

hi Manyee, wonderful shot , I tried so many time but no result. Wood is too dark anad squirell too quick. Excelent shot with excelent info.
Marjan

Hi Manyee,
An excellent frame filling closeup here. Beautiful colors and detail. Around here the Greys are more prevelant, but the Foxes or Reds as we call them are far larger in size. They get really big.
Nice shot!
Scott

Hi ManYee,
You got your peek-a-boo photo as well. First Evelynn and then me, and now you. Your Peek-a-boo is really wondeful. Such a great close capture with such good details. I love the way I get drawn into the shot.
TFS,
Niek

P.S. I got it all wrong. I did a quick check and found 35 photos with this title.

  • Great 
  • carper Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2009 W: 122 N: 2581] (8424)
  • [2007-01-09 13:50]

very good photo job,
the composition is nice Manyee, the pov is good and the light is great, good job.
gr. jaap

I guess peek-a-boo is a universal theme. : ) This is a nice photo with good detail. Thanks for sharing it and informative note.

Evelynn : )

Hi Manyee,

Nice portrait of this squirrel beetewn two rock. Good details and low POV.

PC :)

  • Great 
  • mbasil Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 336 W: 149 N: 745] (3304)
  • [2007-01-09 18:43]

Well captured, Manyee. I really love your composition here. Well done!
Mike

  • Great 
  • kojak Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 36 W: 0 N: 19] (163)
  • [2007-01-09 21:07]
  • [+]

Hello Manyee, wonderful picture, great POV and details. Good job!
What a cute little animal, isn't it? How did you get so close to it? They are really shy, in my experience at least...

Grtz, Geert ;)

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-01-10 0:33]

Hello Manyee

A very good POV for this fox squirrel.The DOF is well done and the details are sharp.Good detail in the fur and the colours are natural and well saturated.Good eye contact,the little critter is really staring you down.TFS

Rob

He is a looker, nice detail, well taken shot.

Greg

Bonjour Manyee
Je ne me tanne pas de voir ces jolies frimousses! Cet Écureuil a une superbe posture! Tu as prise un excellent POV et les couleurs sont très naturelles.
Belle prise et merci pour l'envoi...JP
Les sourires demain

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1515 W: 18 N: 3165] (11638)
  • [2007-01-27 15:05]

Lol this is so cute, great composition and a lovely POV. Really sharp as well

TFS

Karan

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