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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> How to get squirrel shots?
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01/15/2004 02:30:51 PM · #1
Ok I am totally frustrated, how on earth do you get a good squirrel shot? Those little furry creatures do not cooperate, just about the time I get a good shot in line off he goes, any tips would be greatly appreciated. In other words HELP...

Message edited by author 2004-01-15 14:35:32.
01/15/2004 02:35:48 PM · #2
#1 a long lens
#2 patience
#3 food

actually this guy had his own food
01/15/2004 02:36:48 PM · #3
when i was a kid, i used to put peanut butter on saltine crackers, and stick them to the trunk of a tree at about eye level. ( although back then it may have been e bee bee gun i was aiming at them instead of a camera, but... ;}

if you have alot of squirrels one is bound to find it, and stop on the tree to inspect. the more often you provide them the more they will be around...

although the more they are around, the more they will eat the bird food out of your feeders, which BTW is another good spot to capture them...
01/15/2004 02:38:19 PM · #4
Great shot Terry, I am soooo jealous, food I have got, long lens I have, and patience is thin, thanks for the advice.
01/15/2004 02:40:24 PM · #5
A .22 and a taxidermist may do the trick.


;)
01/15/2004 02:41:29 PM · #6
hehe



01/15/2004 02:43:43 PM · #7
here is one of my favorites..you dont always have to be close to them. A little fat guy.
Around here we have so many it's really not hard to get pics of them...
01/15/2004 02:52:14 PM · #8
It also helps if you try in places where they are generally going to be more friendly and tame than in the 'wild'. Else supply enough food on a regular basis that they get to know you and expect food when you're around.


01/15/2004 02:52:58 PM · #9
LOL

That was cruel :)


Originally posted by Trinch:

A .22 and a taxidermist may do the trick.


;)

01/15/2004 02:55:13 PM · #10
if you find some that are pretty tame or use to humans you tend to get better shots...

here are a few of my squirlle shots

this is 1 of 4 squirlles that will take food from my hand at my girlfriend place. I have a pic at home of one of them holding on to my finger. he was about 3 ft away in this shot.


this guy was pretty tame and got about 3 feet from me, but I was at about 8 ft away when I took this shot
Chubby squirlle

James
01/15/2004 03:10:55 PM · #11
Originally posted by TerryGee:

#1 a long lens
#2 patience
#3 food



#4 lot's of shoots

Message edited by author 2004-01-15 15:12:25.
01/15/2004 03:19:53 PM · #12
If your camera has this feature, try using continuous shooting mode with a fast shutter speed. You're bound to acquire at least one decent shot out of a bunch.

01/15/2004 03:44:29 PM · #13
Originally posted by TerryGee:

#1 a long lens
#2 patience
#3 food

actually this guy had his own food

#4 Tripod
01/15/2004 03:48:44 PM · #14
Alright, you all have missed the most obvoius tactic... climb a tree and act like a nut!
01/15/2004 03:54:08 PM · #15
Phew. For a second, I that you were going to suggest dressing up as a female squirrel and prance around the forest.
01/15/2004 04:07:36 PM · #16
A day before, I throw out peanuts, and sunflower seeds, and other nuts/seeds, that are in my pantry that nobody eats. Make sure they are unsalted or else the squirrels will get sick or something. Throw a lot of seeds. Then the next day, check back, and the squirrels should be there. Let them get comfortable with you being around,(dont move) and wait for them to take peanuts. Then itll seem like many more are coming. Stand still and make sure not to scare them. If you can find out where the they eat the food, stand close, but not so close that youll scare them. Good Luck. You can see some of my squirrel shots in my portfolio.
01/15/2004 04:32:13 PM · #17


This was taken December 31, and the squirrels must've known we were due for a storm because they were everywhere!

I spotted this little guy and carefully walked up to about 10 feet of him. He wasn't skittish at all, and I took pains not to make any sudden movements. I have some shots of him that were closer, but I thought the parallel lines of the steps made the photo more interesting.

Be patient, be kind, and maybe you'll get a good shot.
01/15/2004 04:38:41 PM · #18
Using flash will scare them away.
01/15/2004 05:25:49 PM · #19
I must have been very fortunate as the squirrel I got a pic of was very accomodating..in fact it was a bit of nuisance and not in least camera shy.
01/15/2004 05:35:54 PM · #20
This is one I managed to catch, but only just as you will see.check it at full size for best view.
Paul.missed tail
01/15/2004 05:49:23 PM · #21


get a long lens
01/15/2004 05:51:23 PM · #22
If you have a college campus nearby, I'd try there. Many are "squirrel friendly." I was reading outside under a tree at school one day and looked down to see a squirrel almost sitting on my foot. Didn't have a camera with me though.
01/15/2004 06:23:35 PM · #23
Local parks are good too. A lot of them in this area provide bird feeders that attract the squirrils.

Mark

Message edited by author 2004-01-15 18:27:01.
01/15/2004 07:07:30 PM · #24



I got these two shots without a lot of zoom (50mm), no food and little patience was need. I find the best idea is to find areas where children feed them, this way they are used to people and will come up to you expecting food. If you do feed them they will tend to take the food and run off, my tip is to make them wait for the food take a few shots first.
01/16/2004 01:07:04 AM · #25
Feed them. Set up a squirrel feeder in your backyard. If you are outside alot they will become used to your voice and your activities and will be less fearful of you.

For my first attempt, I set my tripod near the feeder for a few hours until I noticed they were no longer concerned with its presence. I then slowly made my way toward the tripod with camera in hand. Initially, I was about 6 feet away, but after 30 minutes, I had moved myself and the tripod to within a foot of the feeder. Now when they see me walk out the door with my tripod in hand, they actually scamper toward the feeder and pose (I swear)!


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