Squirrels

For seven years, I have been trying to make this image of an albino squirrel that lives at my Papa Bill and Nana Bev's house near Hamlin Grocery north of Ludington. On Christmas Eve, it finally all came together. As I was making this image, I was trying to ignore my older brother Tad as he shot me with the dart gun that he got for Christmas. Some things never change!

This little guy posed for me in my backyard this morning. The black fur against the white snow is what got my attention.

I remember a teacher asking me in middle school what animal I would be if I had a choice. The entire class roared with laughter when I said a squirrel. The teacher wanted to know why. I proudly stated that squirrels make people laugh and lots of girls think they are cute.

A black squirrel paws beneath the leaves and grass, hunting for food in the Beechwood Campground. The squirrel, a couple fishermen camped nearby, and I appeared to have the campground to ourselves this late October evening. It is fun to see the Ludington State Park campgrounds bustling with people and activity in summer. But the lone squirrel or a deer or raccoon is the kind of company I would rather have.

Some pictures just brighten your day; this one brightens mine every time I look at it. Red squirrel shots are easy to come by, but this little creature looked especially cute when he chose to frame himself perfectly between branches of a white pine tree along the Sable River in the sunshine of a September morning. I can't help but feel good and smile looking at this image.

This squirrel seemed like the perfect photo for today. Simple. Composed. Sweet.

I remember being about 12 years old and making my counselor laugh out loud with my unexpected answer to the question she asked me. She asked if I could be any animal, what would I be. I quickly answered, “a squirrel.” She said she had never had someone give that answer before and was curious why. I said because they are clever, playful, and often up to no good.

Near Beaumont Tower, a group of Michigan State University students are just out of sight getting their pictures taken in their caps and gowns. Meanwhile, this MSU lifer poses on the lawn with a reward for his own work on campus. F2.8 at 1/400, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

Betsy, the kids, and I have been in our new house for a couple of months now and this is the first wildlife photograph I have made from inside the house. We have lots of deer and squirrels in our backyard every day and I can photograph them out the sliding glass doors. Julia helped me spot this squirrel. F4.5 at 1/100, ISO 1600, 600 mm lens at 600 mm