Eastern gray squirrel - Sciurus carolinensis - Taken at Charnwood Water / Loughborough - UK
Today, I spent time with my camera capturing different moments, and the star of the day turned out to be my favorite little bird, the robin/ redbreast - I believe the sun was generous this morning, perhaps due to the recent shift to winter time. As I stepped out from the Charnwood Water car park, the swans and all kinds of ducks came over, looking for breakfast. During this transition to winter and the colder days ahead, I usually bring bird feed when I go to the park. Squirrels, excited by a leftover Halloween pumpkin, gathered around me too. I generously scooped out part of the pumpkin for them, and within moments, three or four Eastern gray squirrels appeared, taking the seeds and treats inside the pumpkin to bury under the leaves for the cold days to come.
After a short walk, I encountered my favorite little bird, the Robin-Redbreast, and shared the remaining food with them. One of them, likely a juvenile, came within about two meters of me, unafraid and ready to pose. I took plenty of close-up shots. It’s worth mentioning that with my Nikon D850 FX camera, I always strive to share the exact image I see through the viewfinder—cropping isn’t really my style. Once again, I stuck to that principle, though I regretted not bringing my Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 lens with me this time. Next time, it’ll definitely be in my bag.
On my Flickr account, I’ve posted the shot of today: a robin, bathed in the backlight of the morning sun filtering through tree shadows, curiously observing me from a shaded area. I hope you enjoy it. Wishing you all a wonderful Sunday!
The Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is a common and widely recognized mammal native to North America, including the eastern United States and parts of Canada. Here are some key characteristics and facts about the Eastern Gray Squirrel:
Appearance: Eastern Gray Squirrels have a distinctive appearance characterized by their gray fur, although their coloration can vary from gray to black or brownish-gray. They typically have white underparts and a bushy tail that is often as long as their body. Their large eyes and prominent ears help them detect predators and locate food.
Size: Adult Eastern Gray Squirrels typically measure between 23 to 30 centimeters (9 to 12 inches) in length, excluding their tail, which can add an additional 20 to 25 centimeters (8 to 10 inches). They typically weigh between 400 to 600 grams (14 to 21 ounces).
Habitat: Eastern Gray Squirrels are highly adaptable and can thrive in various habitats, including forests, woodlands, urban parks, and suburban areas. They are commonly found in areas with abundant trees for nesting and food sources such as nuts, seeds, fruits, and insects.
Behavior: These squirrels are active during the day and spend much of their time foraging for food. They are known for their agility and climbing skills, often seen scampering up trees and leaping between branches with ease. Eastern Gray Squirrels are also proficient at burying and storing food for later consumption, a behavior known as caching.
Reproduction: Eastern Gray Squirrels typically breed twice a year, with peak mating seasons occurring in late winter or early spring and again in mid-summer. After a gestation period of about 44 days, females give birth to a litter of 2 to 6 young, known as kittens or kits. The young squirrels are born blind and hairless, and they rely on their mother for care and nourishment until they are old enough to venture out on their own.
Interactions with Humans: Eastern Gray Squirrels are commonly encountered in urban and suburban areas, where they may become accustomed to humans and even approach people in search of food. While they are generally considered harmless, they can sometimes become pests, especially when they raid bird feeders or chew on electrical wiring in buildings.
Overall, the Eastern Gray Squirrel is a familiar and adaptable species that plays an important ecological role as seed dispersers and prey for predators such as hawks, owls, and snakes. Despite occasional conflicts with humans, they are valued for their intelligence, resourcefulness, and charismatic presence in natural and urban environments.
I hope you'll enjoy the my images as much as I enjoyed taking them.
Thank you so much for visiting my stream, whether you comments , favorites or just have a look.
I appreciate it very much, wishing the best of luck and good light.
© All rights reserved R.Ertug Please do not use this image without my explicit written permission. Contact me by Flickr mail if you want to buy or use Your comments and critiques are very well appreciated.
Lens - hand held or Monopod and definitely SPORT VR on. Aperture is f5.6 and full length. All my images have been converted from RAW to JPEG.
I started using Nikon Cross-Body Strap or Monopod on long walks. Here is my Carbon Monopod details : Gitzo GM2542 Series 2 4S Carbon Monopod - Really Right Stuff MH-01 Monopod Head with Standard Lever - Really Right Stuff LCF-11 Replacement Foot for Nikon AF-S 500mm /5.6E PF Lense -
Thanks for stopping and looking :)
Eastern gray squirrel - Sciurus carolinensis - Taken at Charnwood Water / Loughborough - UK
Today, I spent time with my camera capturing different moments, and the star of the day turned out to be my favorite little bird, the robin/ redbreast - I believe the sun was generous this morning, perhaps due to the recent shift to winter time. As I stepped out from the Charnwood Water car park, the swans and all kinds of ducks came over, looking for breakfast. During this transition to winter and the colder days ahead, I usually bring bird feed when I go to the park. Squirrels, excited by a leftover Halloween pumpkin, gathered around me too. I generously scooped out part of the pumpkin for them, and within moments, three or four Eastern gray squirrels appeared, taking the seeds and treats inside the pumpkin to bury under the leaves for the cold days to come.
After a short walk, I encountered my favorite little bird, the Robin-Redbreast, and shared the remaining food with them. One of them, likely a juvenile, came within about two meters of me, unafraid and ready to pose. I took plenty of close-up shots. It’s worth mentioning that with my Nikon D850 FX camera, I always strive to share the exact image I see through the viewfinder—cropping isn’t really my style. Once again, I stuck to that principle, though I regretted not bringing my Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 lens with me this time. Next time, it’ll definitely be in my bag.
On my Flickr account, I’ve posted the shot of today: a robin, bathed in the backlight of the morning sun filtering through tree shadows, curiously observing me from a shaded area. I hope you enjoy it. Wishing you all a wonderful Sunday!
The Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is a common and widely recognized mammal native to North America, including the eastern United States and parts of Canada. Here are some key characteristics and facts about the Eastern Gray Squirrel:
Appearance: Eastern Gray Squirrels have a distinctive appearance characterized by their gray fur, although their coloration can vary from gray to black or brownish-gray. They typically have white underparts and a bushy tail that is often as long as their body. Their large eyes and prominent ears help them detect predators and locate food.
Size: Adult Eastern Gray Squirrels typically measure between 23 to 30 centimeters (9 to 12 inches) in length, excluding their tail, which can add an additional 20 to 25 centimeters (8 to 10 inches). They typically weigh between 400 to 600 grams (14 to 21 ounces).
Habitat: Eastern Gray Squirrels are highly adaptable and can thrive in various habitats, including forests, woodlands, urban parks, and suburban areas. They are commonly found in areas with abundant trees for nesting and food sources such as nuts, seeds, fruits, and insects.
Behavior: These squirrels are active during the day and spend much of their time foraging for food. They are known for their agility and climbing skills, often seen scampering up trees and leaping between branches with ease. Eastern Gray Squirrels are also proficient at burying and storing food for later consumption, a behavior known as caching.
Reproduction: Eastern Gray Squirrels typically breed twice a year, with peak mating seasons occurring in late winter or early spring and again in mid-summer. After a gestation period of about 44 days, females give birth to a litter of 2 to 6 young, known as kittens or kits. The young squirrels are born blind and hairless, and they rely on their mother for care and nourishment until they are old enough to venture out on their own.
Interactions with Humans: Eastern Gray Squirrels are commonly encountered in urban and suburban areas, where they may become accustomed to humans and even approach people in search of food. While they are generally considered harmless, they can sometimes become pests, especially when they raid bird feeders or chew on electrical wiring in buildings.
Overall, the Eastern Gray Squirrel is a familiar and adaptable species that plays an important ecological role as seed dispersers and prey for predators such as hawks, owls, and snakes. Despite occasional conflicts with humans, they are valued for their intelligence, resourcefulness, and charismatic presence in natural and urban environments.
I hope you'll enjoy the my images as much as I enjoyed taking them.
Thank you so much for visiting my stream, whether you comments , favorites or just have a look.
I appreciate it very much, wishing the best of luck and good light.
© All rights reserved R.Ertug Please do not use this image without my explicit written permission. Contact me by Flickr mail if you want to buy or use Your comments and critiques are very well appreciated.
Lens - hand held or Monopod and definitely SPORT VR on. Aperture is f5.6 and full length. All my images have been converted from RAW to JPEG.
I started using Nikon Cross-Body Strap or Monopod on long walks. Here is my Carbon Monopod details : Gitzo GM2542 Series 2 4S Carbon Monopod - Really Right Stuff MH-01 Monopod Head with Standard Lever - Really Right Stuff LCF-11 Replacement Foot for Nikon AF-S 500mm /5.6E PF Lense -
Thanks for stopping and looking :)