Taken in my back yard. EOS Elan IIe, EF 100-300 f5.6. 1/180 sec @ f5.6, handheld on Kodak Royal Gold 400. This was one of my first attempts at telephoto work, and I was still learning to use my new camera too. I'm more interested in comments about the subject, but all are welcome of course. Thanks.

-- Brad (bhutcheson@iname.com), April 09, 1999

Answers

Following the rules would call for a crop on the right to get the subject off center. However, I like it just where it is. Are these common in your area? Interesting shot.

-- Larry Korhnak (lvk@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu), April 09, 1999.

I wouldn't call them common, but there are quite a few in the area. Interestingly, they all seem to be female, at least the ones I have been close enough to identify as such have been.

I've never thought this shot was really technically perfect, but somehow it is still one of my favorites. How can you worry too much about technical aspects when you are lucky enough to have a wild animal strike a pose like this for you?

-- Brad (bhutcheson@iname.com), April 09, 1999.

Brad,

The answer to your question is that photographic technique has to be so natural to you that you don't even HAVE to think about it when the opportunities come along.

Frank

-- Frank Kolwicz (bb389@lafn.org), April 09, 1999.

Pretty good for an early attempt at telephoto work. I would choose a vertical composition though, keeping the squirrel at the middle to lower right-hand side.

Which geographical area was this image taken? I have never seen white squirrels before.

-- Shun Cheung (shun@worldnet.att.net), April 09, 1999.

Shun, I live in Tallahassee Florida. From what I have heard, the squirrels were brought from a small town called Sopchoppy to a local zoo type facility (it is hard to explain what it is) which is close to my neighborhood. They are the size, and probably the same species as the common grey squrrels in the area. I don't think the are geographically unique though. I saw a picture of an identical looking squirrel on another site about a year ago, and it was in Central Park in NY. They are not albinos by the way. Not only do they not have red eyes, but if you look close, you will see a black spot on the top of her head. It narrows and runs all the way down her back.

That is about all I know about these squirrels. If anyone does have any information let me know.

-- Brad (bhutcheson@iname.com), April 10, 1999.

Brad and group,

Olney, Illinois has a large native free running population of white squirells. (In their back yards ...) Olney, Illinois is located about 115 miles east of St. Louis, MO.

My knowledge of the squirell was many years old. I just called a contact in Olney to get updated information.

I was told that;

"The whire squirells are a genetic varaition of the gray squirells that also live in the city. The gray squirells are carry a gene that is needed to produce white squirells."

Years ago I was told of a town located in Missouri that also had white squirells. Unfortunately I do not remember the name of that city.

I like the photo. You can probably get the squirell pose again. Bet he/she will work for "peanuts." Is it acceptable to "bait" citified squirells for photographic purposes?

-- Larry Albert (larry.albert@murraystate.edu), April 11, 1999.

I agree strongly with Shun, keep the squirrel centered, but use a vertical composition.

-- Carlos Co (co@che.udel.edu), April 11, 1999.