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Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel


Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel
Photo Information
Copyright: Julie Wyatt (j_wyatt) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 148 W: 44 N: 213] (1225)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2003-06-28
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon Powershot G2
Exposure: f/3.2, 1/50 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2004-12-28 21:11
Viewed: 1197
Points: 20
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Caught a quick photo of this little guy trying to decide if he wanted a breathmint someone had dropped nearby. This was taken near Crater Lake Oregon.

The Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus lateralis) lives in all types of forests across North America. It eats seeds, nuts, berries, insects, and underground fungi. It is eaten by hawks, jays, weasels, fox, bobcats, and coyotes. A typical creature ranges from 23-30 cm (9-12 in) in length. The Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel can be identified by its chipmunk-like stripes and coloration, but unlike chipmunks, it lacks any facial stripes. It is commonly found living in the same habitat as Uinta Chipmunks.
The Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel is similar to chipmunks in more than just its appearance. Although it is a traditional hibernator, building up its body fat so to survive the winter asleep, it is also known to store some food in its burrow, like the chipmunk, for consumption upon waking in the spring. Both the Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel and the chipmunk have cheek pouches for carrying food. Cheek pouches allow them to transport food back to their nests and still run at full speed on all fours. By comparison, when a squirrel is threatened by a predator, it has to drop its food if it wants to make a quick get away.

Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels dig shallow burrows up to 30m (100 ft) in length with the openings hidden in a hollow log or under tree roots or a boulder. The female gives birth to a single litter of 4-6 young each summer.

The Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel is abundant throughout its range and is equally at home in a wide variety of forest habitats as well as rocky meadows, and even sagebrush flats.
red45, Lesley, ljsugarnspice, mogens-j, sandpiper2, carpnter has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To sAner: Thanks! I remember it wasn'tj_wyatt 1 02-03 17:06
To japie: Heehee... that is funny! You arej_wyatt 1 12-30 12:38
To tellerka: Thanks, I know the photo is badj_wyatt 1 12-29 20:37
To ljsugarnspice: Thanks for the points forj_wyatt 1 12-29 18:38
To sandpiper2: I wasn't happy myself with thej_wyatt 1 12-29 18:36
To Lesley: Thanks, it was difficult getting any shot of thij_wyatt 1 12-29 09:43
To red45: Yes, the quality isn't too good. Not sure why, maj_wyatt 1 12-29 09:21
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2816 W: 75 N: 7977] (26975)
  • [2004-12-29 6:46]
  • [+]

Quality maybe isn't best but what a scene! Cute animal in extraordinary pose - I like it very much!

Great timing on this adorable image. I just love the moment you captured. It makes me smile.

Technically this picture is bad, but I feel happy You've posted it - it's excellent pose :)

I agree, the quality isn't great, however your note is very informative (i would have called it a chipmunk) and the subject is uniquely (did i spell that right?) posed, so thanks for posting it! i will give you a point for the note and a point for being unique! :)

Composition: ****
Sharpness: **
Color: **
DOF: *
POV: ****
Note:***

Great scene, focus too soft and a lot of noise, but very good composition.
TFS.

Wonderful timing Julie. He looks really curious. the colours are very good and the cropping is perfect. Pity with the noise.

Some critics on this site want perfect quality in every shot. The reality is that most of us can't afford or don't have a camera that does that. I think you have done very well to get this pose of a species I've not seen before, a magic momment, well done. the POV and composition are excellent and the note very informative.

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
  • [2004-12-30 12:08]
  • [+]

It must be a she, as her mother told her never to accept candy from strangers.

I like this composition and pose very much.

Well done and thanks for posting. Happy new year to you and your loved ones.

  • Great 
  • sAner Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1648 W: 79 N: 1438] (4742)
  • [2005-02-03 14:33]
  • [+]

Not too sharp maybe, but a wonderful picture anyway. Great shot and good composition. You caught this Squirrel just at the right time. Well done!

Hahaha, Julie,
this is so cute, quality could be a little better, but that don't matter when we see this lovely little guy, you put a big smile on my face, thanks
Sabine - wishnugaruda

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