If you catch it, kill it!

Rob Barron · 19-10-2007, 22:39

I know, I know, it sounds cruel and they are (to some) cute and furry but the fact is, and yes folks this IS a fact, if you catch one of these you are obliged by law to euthenase it (snuff it out, send it to the great rodent cage in the sky) as it is illegal to release a non-indigenous species into the wild. This is of course forgetting the fact that there are already millions of the things all over this land, out-numbering the indigenous red squirrel by 20 to 1!

Right, that's the politics out of the way, I still like the critter and I enjoyed the thrill of the chase involved in getting this shot. It was in the garden when I got back to my holiday cottage in the Lake District and it then proceeded to play hide and seek with me around a tree trunk for quite a while. Eventually I applied my superior intellect to get my way.... stayed one side of the tree and sent my wife round the other side so it came round to where I was waiting ready to shoot it....

.... no squirrels were hurt in the pursuit of this picture :o)

Hope you like it.

Cheers,
Rob

danpen · 19-10-2007, 22:43

Great closeup, not much eating on a squirrel so I suppose it should live. Not if it's anywhere near the cute little red ones though.

cheers

Dan

Charlotte · 19-10-2007, 23:12

Excellent shot, Rob, and an even better story

This is definitely not your run of the mill squirrel shot. It looks like you climbed the tree ahead of the little guy (or gal). So, great viewpoint, and you caught the squirrel scrambling up the tree, showing his claws in full action, very well done there.

I'd say dial the exposure down a bit, in particular his 'arms' are slightly overexposed.

You just managed to get his eye in focus. I'd rather his back were in focus than the bark, but I suspect the little guy was moving rapidly, so you didn't have time to spare on fine-tuning much of anything

Love the composition. Placing the tree on the diagonal really emphasises the action of the shot.

The BG is a bit distracting, perhaps you could tone down the bright areas, e.g. clone from the green.

This is excellent work, Rob, a very unusual view of a squirrel, i.e. from above, which makes it an especially eye-catching image. You worked hard for this one, + you got it! Very well done

**Markulous** · 19-10-2007, 23:16

Nice shot of a Tree Rat! Nicely detailed and interesting pose - I assume you were under it and rotated?

I have actually eaten one of these (or part of one). A mate who was into wildlife and trees (so into ridding the area of these) - fried, a bit like chicken (but tougher)

fionaB · 20-10-2007, 09:07

love this shot, unlike charlotte i think the exposure is spot on, i dont know if its my monitor tho but is there a bluish cast?

superbly sharp image as always Rob. why is it u always come up with the goods!?

Fi

Rob Barron · 20-10-2007, 14:13

Well Fi, it's a case of the more photos I shoot the luckier I get I guess LOL.

Thanks all for your positive comments. No mark, I haven't rotated this, I was above the squirrel. I was leaning over a high wall extremely precariously (had a bruise across my stomach for two days!) and got this in the very brief moment when the squirrel started to shoot up the tree and then thought better of it. Suffice to say I wouldn't have got a second chance to get this one!

I must say this shot also highlights the faster focusing on the new Canon 40D and I do think that made a difference in helping me get this one.

Charlotte, I have actually toned down the grass to the top and right of the squirrel, it was a stronger green before but it distracted from the squirrel. On my monitor the balance here is ok but I guess it is different on others. I agree with you that the claws makes a difference here. The eye and left claw being sharp sort of lets us see the squirrel gripping that tree etc.

Glad you like it, I have loads of squirrel shots but this one is definitely one the one that I feel stands out.

Cheers,
Rob

Summerleft · 20-10-2007, 23:26

I had a baby one run up my leg once, I cant say i released it back into the wild more screamed and jumped around so it only got to my knee then ran off

**Dabhand16** · 21-10-2007, 00:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Summerleft

I had a baby one run up my leg once, I cant say i released it back into the wild more screamed and jumped around so it only got to my knee then ran off

That was a close escape - but I don't know who for............

19-10-2007, 22:39	#1 (permalink)
Rob Barron Loves the place Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Poole, Dorset Posts: 5,386	If you catch it, kill it! I know, I know, it sounds cruel and they are (to some) cute and furry but the fact is, and yes folks this IS a fact, if you catch one of these you are obliged by law to euthenase it (snuff it out, send it to the great rodent cage in the sky) as it is illegal to release a non-indigenous species into the wild. This is of course forgetting the fact that there are already millions of the things all over this land, out-numbering the indigenous red squirrel by 20 to 1! Right, that's the politics out of the way, I still like the critter and I enjoyed the thrill of the chase involved in getting this shot. It was in the garden when I got back to my holiday cottage in the Lake District and it then proceeded to play hide and seek with me around a tree trunk for quite a while. Eventually I applied my superior intellect to get my way.... stayed one side of the tree and sent my wife round the other side so it came round to where I was waiting ready to shoot it.... .... no squirrels were hurt in the pursuit of this picture :o) Hope you like it. Cheers, Rob __________________ Rob Barron robbarron@aol.com If you look down on other people, don't expect them to look up to you!

19-10-2007, 22:43	#2 (permalink)
danpen Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 875	Re: If you catch it, kill it! Great closeup, not much eating on a squirrel so I suppose it should live. Not if it's anywhere near the cute little red ones though. cheers Dan

19-10-2007, 23:12	#3 (permalink)
Charlotte Loves the place Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Romsey, Hampshire Posts: 6,319	Re: If you catch it, kill it! Excellent shot, Rob, and an even better story This is definitely not your run of the mill squirrel shot. It looks like you climbed the tree ahead of the little guy (or gal). So, great viewpoint, and you caught the squirrel scrambling up the tree, showing his claws in full action, very well done there. I'd say dial the exposure down a bit, in particular his 'arms' are slightly overexposed. You just managed to get his eye in focus. I'd rather his back were in focus than the bark, but I suspect the little guy was moving rapidly, so you didn't have time to spare on fine-tuning much of anything Love the composition. Placing the tree on the diagonal really emphasises the action of the shot. The BG is a bit distracting, perhaps you could tone down the bright areas, e.g. clone from the green. This is excellent work, Rob, a very unusual view of a squirrel, i.e. from above, which makes it an especially eye-catching image. You worked hard for this one, + you got it! Very well done __________________ What you do todayis important because you exchanged a day of your life for it You only ever get one chance to make a good first impression Work Smarter, Not Harder

19-10-2007, 23:16	#4 (permalink)
Markulous Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Peak District Posts: 10,070	Re: If you catch it, kill it! Nice shot of a Tree Rat! Nicely detailed and interesting pose - I assume you were under it and rotated? I have actually eaten one of these (or part of one). A mate who was into wildlife and trees (so into ridding the area of these) - fried, a bit like chicken (but tougher)

20-10-2007, 09:07	#5 (permalink)
fionaB Loves the place Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Scotland Posts: 5,588	Re: If you catch it, kill it! love this shot, unlike charlotte i think the exposure is spot on, i dont know if its my monitor tho but is there a bluish cast? superbly sharp image as always Rob. why is it u always come up with the goods!? Fi

20-10-2007, 14:13	#6 (permalink)
Rob Barron Loves the place Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Poole, Dorset Posts: 5,386	Re: If you catch it, kill it! Well Fi, it's a case of the more photos I shoot the luckier I get I guess LOL. Thanks all for your positive comments. No mark, I haven't rotated this, I was above the squirrel. I was leaning over a high wall extremely precariously (had a bruise across my stomach for two days!) and got this in the very brief moment when the squirrel started to shoot up the tree and then thought better of it. Suffice to say I wouldn't have got a second chance to get this one! I must say this shot also highlights the faster focusing on the new Canon 40D and I do think that made a difference in helping me get this one. Charlotte, I have actually toned down the grass to the top and right of the squirrel, it was a stronger green before but it distracted from the squirrel. On my monitor the balance here is ok but I guess it is different on others. I agree with you that the claws makes a difference here. The eye and left claw being sharp sort of lets us see the squirrel gripping that tree etc. Glad you like it, I have loads of squirrel shots but this one is definitely one the one that I feel stands out. Cheers, Rob

20-10-2007, 23:26	#7 (permalink)
Summerleft Feet under the table Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Derbyshire, UK Posts: 1,619	Re: If you catch it, kill it! I had a baby one run up my leg once, I cant say i released it back into the wild more screamed and jumped around so it only got to my knee then ran off

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