Chipmunk

Gallery: WildlifePosted January 11, 20181,342 views7 comments

I've been looking back at my favorite images and moments of 2017, and was reminded how sometimes it's not the biggest, most intimidating, or beautiful creatures that can provide photo highlights.

This very brief moment occurred in Yellowstone last spring. I had just pulled into a parking lot where I often stop to scope for wildlife. From the car I spied this chipmunk dangling precariously as it stretched to reach some hard-to-get food. The pose and the rim lighting made for a fun moment, and I felt fortunate to capture this post with only a second to spare before it scampered back down to the ground. Definitely my favorite chipmunk photo I've ever taken. enlightened

Canon 1DX
Canon 600mm f/4 IS
ISO 1600
1/5000th
f/4
(Again, this was just a quick grab-the-lens-and-fire moment, so there was no time for adjustments.)

Max

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on January 11, 2018 at 12:49 PM

I can see why this is your favorite chipmunk photo, it is pretty neat! Good eye and speedy reflexes to get this one. You handled the rim light great. Thanks for sharing.

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

Comment posted by Marylynne Diggs on January 11, 2018 at 1:50 PM

This is a lovely capture, Max. I understand why it was such a wonderful moment. This is a Townsend's chipmunk, I think and their sporty face strips make them especially adorable. I really like the outstretched pose here as it reaches for the remaining fruits of a larch tree. Nice work.
ML

Registered on December 14, 2010, 122 Posts, 1034 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Gavin on January 11, 2018 at 4:00 PM

Just about as cute as can be. Nice techs. Lighting is wonderful. One twig appears to create a unicorn chipmunk.

Registered on August 14, 2008, 293 Posts, 1250 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on January 11, 2018 at 4:23 PM

Marylynne, I'm not sure about that ID. I believe it may be a Least chipmunk, which is the most common of Yellowstone's three chipmunk species. The Townsend's range is along the Pacific coast, while this was in Wyoming. The Townsend's is not listed as a species found in the park.

I should add that I'm never quite sure about my chipmunk IDs in the park, as at first glance the species found there seem difficult to tell apart, but I don't believe it's a Townsend's simply based on that species' traditional range and the prevalence of the Least.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on January 14, 2018 at 11:31 AM

Pretty darn cool chipmunk!

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

Comment posted by David Bogener on January 14, 2018 at 2:15 PM

Love the pose and background. Outstanding rim lighting effect.

Registered on October 30, 2013, 417 Posts, 1255 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on January 16, 2018 at 7:37 PM

Love the rim lighting here Max devil

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments