I have a tendency to cheer for the underdog. Perhaps it’s one of the side effects of being a Canadian.
I like the storyline of the little guy defying the odds and becoming the star of the show. It never grows old. Sometimes it even works its way into my images.
Good photographs tend to have a focus point but nobody ever said it had to be biggest part. The squirrel in the photo covers a tiny percentage of the overall space but found a perfect spot on the log to grab some attention. At least it sure got mine. The little guy reminded me that sometimes size or the fact that I’m looking at a common creature doesn’t stop me from making a photo I like.
Here’s to the little guys that can still steal the show.
Scott Marshall says:
That is key for me – do you enjoy the shot – if anyone else does then that is a bonus – so is all the camera club stuff and rules of composition – take the shot and if you are happy the rest will follow (that’s what I told the bank manager)
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Lyle Krahn says:
If your bank manager bought that, you clearly have found a keeper!
Yes all that other advice should only be helping us get the shots we like.
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krikitarts says:
I agree with your tentative ID as a golden-mantled ground squirrel. I’d love to see one! At first glance, it really does look like a chipmunk, and there are so many varieties. A fine shot and very effective composition!
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Lyle Krahn says:
Thanks. I actually enjoy exploring beauty and finding interesting compositions much more than trying to identify various species which I often find confusing. But if you agree with my tentative ID then we’ll go with it.
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caleephotography says:
Size doesn’t matter when you’re cute like this little squirrel 😀 He might be small but without him the picture would be completely different.
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Lyle Krahn says:
Maybe the moral of the story is that we should all find huge logs and stand on them:)
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Mike Powell says:
Whether I’m shooting with a telephoto lens or a macro lens, most of the time I am worrying about filling the frame. Your thoughtful commentary and wonderful image serve as a helpful reminder that it’s important to take in the big picture and, most importantly, that nothing can substitute for a beautifully composed shot.
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Lyle Krahn says:
Thanks. I usually prefer to go in much tighter in my shots but I found myself in this location with a shorter zoom so it helped me look at other options and I liked the effect. It definitely helps the area around it is interesting.
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Mike Powell says:
Wow. You have a zoom lens? I thought you shot everything with a 500mm lens.
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Lyle Krahn says:
Oh yes. My 70-200 is a good friend and has helped me take many photos.
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Steve Gingold says:
The spectacular or large seems to get the most note, but it is indeed the small and sometimes unnoticeable that is the key to the ecosystem’s success. They certainly do deserve our interest…not to mention they have a very high cuteness factor.
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Lyle Krahn says:
I do have to keep reminding myself of that since the larger ones can be quite attractive and dramatic.
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idiotphotographer says:
Good lord that critter is so adorable!
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Lyle Krahn says:
They are cute and quick. It’s hard to keep up.
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Phil Lanoue says:
Oh you are so right, little guys can indeed steal the show. Something that is best we all keep in mind I feel.
But besides that there is a lot to look at in this image which I like quite a bit.
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Lyle Krahn says:
That area is one of my favourites that we regularly visit when we go to the mountains. Even on wet, rainy days I found a photo! Glad you liked it.
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Garden Walk Garden Talk says:
I thought it was a chipmunk, but you have pretty squirrels. Our squirrels are kinda plain, although the black ones moved in from Canada.
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Lyle Krahn says:
You did have me wondering if it was a chipmunk but after some checking I believe it is a golden-mantled ground squirrel which looks nearly the same as a chipmunk. That invasion of black one from Canada sounds dangerous:)
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Garden Walk Garden Talk says:
They are cute though. In the last six to ten years or so, many of them started appearing here. They are really Grey Squirrels, just darker in color. Breeding between them seems to have made the black become more dominant, yet now I have been seeing less black squirrels. Not sure why.
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Lyle Krahn says:
Interesting to note those changes.
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Gunta says:
Amen to that! 😀
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Lyle Krahn says:
Happy to hear you agree.
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dweezer19 says:
The little guys indeed! Sometimes I don’t even see them there. I have so many photos where I was shooting flora and when I go to edit, I see wonderful insects that suddenly appear in the shot. I consider it a bonus! I love your shot.
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Lyle Krahn says:
Yes there are so many things to see if we look carefully – lots of pleasant surprises. Glad you enjoyed the shot.
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sagescenery says:
Certainly tells a forest story…I love it!!
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Lyle Krahn says:
That forest certainly had a story with the trees rising again after the fire.
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sagescenery says:
It’s so plain to see in your photo…its story of new growth from ashes…well done!!
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Outlier Babe says:
My personal favorite of yours thus far. The rich texture and deep earth color of the log, and how defined every twisting edge appears, contrasted against the blurred background of the almost lime-green tree-tops–a rich backdrop, yet wholly overshadowed by one small and furry “Aw…do you see him?”
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Lyle Krahn says:
You must have liked that photo. You gave a much better description of it than I managed to muster – well said. I am pleased that I found a favourite of yours. Thanks so much for the rich comments.
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Outlier Babe says:
I don’t find my description better in any way–different, yes. I enjoyed yours a great deal. Thank you, however, for the “well said”, and you are welcome.
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Seenorway says:
Real tiny looking fellah – 😀
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Lyle Krahn says:
It sure is when you take the wider view and look at the large world where it lives.
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