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Grey Squirrel


Grey Squirrel
Photo Information
Copyright: Joe Kellard (joey) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1739 W: 224 N: 6872] (24909)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-01-02
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 400D (Rebel XTi), Canon EF 100-400mm L IS USM, Digital ISO-800, Hoya 77mm UV Filter
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/250 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-01-19 1:58
Viewed: 4238
Points: 20
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Here's a cute Grey Squirrel chomping on some food in the park near my house :-)

I hope you like it!

Grey squirrel - Sciurus carolinensis

Grey squirrels are an alien species and were introduced to the UK from the USA in the late nineteenth/early twentieth century. Their success has been to the detriment of our native red squirrels.

Life span
Up to 9 years.

Statistics
Head and body length: 23-30 cm, Tail length: 19-25cm, Weight (adult): 400-600g.

Physical description
Grey squirrels are distinguished from red squirrels by their grey fur, smaller ear tufts and their larger, more robust build. Grey squirrels sit with their large bushy tail arched over the back.

Distribution
They are widespread throughout England and Wales, south of Cumbria, and are common in local pockets in Scotland. They are absent from the rest of mainland Europe, except for small localised populations in Italy.

Habitat
Common in deciduous and mixed woodland, they are also found in hedgerows, trees, parks and gardens.

Diet
Grey squirrels feed on acorns, tree shoots, flowers, nuts, fruits, roots and cereals. They bury surplus food 2-5cm below the soil or in tree hollows. They feed at ground level, more so than red squirrels, and together with their ability to digest acorns, (which reds can't), they have tended to displace red squirrels in areas of woodland where the two have come into contact.

Behaviour
Grey squirrels live in a compact, spherical nest (drey), 30-60cm in diameter, with an outer frame of twigs, and dry leaves and grass inside. They are diurnal, active from before sunrise to after sunset. The peak of activity is in the autumn. Their range covers 2-10 hectares.

Reproduction
Females produce a litter of usually three young in the spring or late summer (or occasionally both), after a gestation period of 42-45 days. The young are weaned after 10 weeks and are independent at 16 weeks.

Conservation status
Grey squirrels are widespread and not protected in the UK. They are considered a pest of forestry, and are often killed on roads.

Due to the oncoming exams I will hopefully be taking, I won't be around as much as usual because I'll have less free time with all the work I'll have to do. I will try and keep posting photos but please forgive me if I fall behind on critiquing your shots... the most intensive part of the work should be over soon though :-)
Thanks!
pekkavalo1, LordPotty, uleko, jaycee, MMM, matatur has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Joe,
Excellent capture of Grey Squirrel; very cute pose, good composition, sharp fine details and natural warm colours. Last year these little greedy things managed to eat my feeders but now they have no access. They have to settle for what birds drop down. They are not happy about that and they come and show me faces.
TFS
Cheers
Pekka

PS Good luck with your exams!

Hi Joe,
A wonderful shot of this Grey Squirrel.
I've often remarked to Grzeggzy how different these are to the huge African Elephant, with its gigantic ears, fins and trunks.
Super shot, really super!
Ta ever so :)
Steve

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3396 W: 172 N: 3310] (10940)
  • [2009-01-19 4:12]

Hello Joe,
Superb view of this Grey Squirrel in a lovely pose. I like the sharp details, the beautiful colours and the bushy tail! Great focus on the eye too and nicely framed. Very well done!
I wish you luck in your exams!!
TFS and cheers, Ulla

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2454 W: 10 N: 8044] (25460)
  • [2009-01-19 9:37]

Hi Joe,

This squirrel is all tail! I have never seen such a bushy tail. He is adorable in this classic pose. Colors, textures, and details are excellent. Do what you have to do to ace those exams!!!

Jane

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1114 W: 0 N: 2546] (11425)
  • [2009-01-19 14:48]

Hi Joe
Excellent closed up of the squirrel.Good low POV and sharp iamge with excellent fur detail.Nice pose and excellent text.
TFS Michel

A lovely subject within an alluringly simple composition Joe, wish you success in your exams my friend...
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • fiyo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1053 W: 5 N: 3475] (15161)
  • [2009-01-19 23:05]

Hello Joe,
Lovely capture, superb sharpness and great details and colors.TFS

Ciao Joe, great Capture of lovely squirrel in nice pose, excellent sharpness, beautiful light and wonderful colors, very well done, ciao Silvio

Nice intimate show - great catchlight in the eye, good eye contact. VEry adorable. Good luck with the exams!

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2791 W: 0 N: 6696] (25839)
  • [2009-02-16 4:33]

Hi Joe,
a lovely rendition of the squirrel.
Excellent clarity on the face and the eyes are so sharp and cute.
Well composed with blurry bg to enhance the capture.

Regards,
Foozi

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