Squirrel on a Stick (+ Repost)

Gallery: WildlifePosted February 25, 2012506 views9 comments

Photo was taken during the season of the squirrel mating chase.

This Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) stayed perched at the top of this broken tree and looked very intently in the direction of another squirrel somewhat lower on the tree in the left FG.

That squirrel made loud calls. At every call, the body of the squirrel in the photo shook. Anticipation or apprehension?

Last year's photo re-processed in LR3 and CS5. I'm trying to learn using LR3 and CS5 for PP. Applied layer masks (curves, vibrance, hue/saturation) to the squirrel. BG bright spots toned down in LR3, plus usual NR and sharpening. How does it look?

Canon 7D, Sigma 150-500 at 500 mm, ISO 400, Av, exposure metering: pattern, 1/800 sec at f/8, HH, large RAW cropped to 55 %.

C & Cs are always welcome. Your feedback is helping a lot. Thank you. Roger.

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Cristina Strudthof on February 26, 2012 at 8:18 AM

This is a very nice portraiture of the squirrel. The detail of the fur is nice and the colors seem well balanced. Lovely.

Registered on January 14, 2011, 53 Posts, 363 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on February 26, 2012 at 8:45 AM

Great shot of a red squirrel. Really like the pose on the stick. I would not change anything. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on February 26, 2012 at 2:10 PM

I like this very much. One thing that makes this appealing is the convergence of lines in the tree trunks matching the squirrel's downward stare. The only (very tiny) distraction to my eye is the brightness on the left edge of the left, oof tree. I would consider darkening that are just a bit, or perhaps choose a closer crop, taking a panel from the left and then proportional slice from top/bottom.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on February 26, 2012 at 5:51 PM

Great shot! love the pose. Colors and composition are very nice.

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on February 26, 2012 at 6:32 PM

Great pose you captured of this little guy or gal. Very nicely lit, I think oof tree trunk on the left side adds a nice feel to the composition. Sweet Photo Roger

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on February 29, 2012 at 11:10 AM

Delightful little squirrel! Nice pose, great BG, and the lines/textures of the trees is very appealing.
Congrats on the WP!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on February 29, 2012 at 7:23 PM

Congratulations on the EP! Excellent.

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on March 1, 2012 at 9:03 PM

Terrific image. Interesting behavior; strong composition; nice technicals.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Roger Kirchen on May 3, 2012 at 1:19 PM

Thank you for the WP (

) and thank you for all your comments. I have experimented with toning down the bright area at the LLC. The repost is below. Thanks. Roger

Registered on March 6, 2011, 95 Posts, 847 Comments