How to photograph squirrels without Photoshop
January 21, 2021 10:15 AM Subscribe
Belgian photographer Niki Colemont shares some secrets of squirrel photography in this short video (SLYT).
January 21 is Squirrel Appreciation Day!
posted by theodolite at 10:27 AM on January 21, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by theodolite at 10:27 AM on January 21, 2021 [3 favorites]
It is?!? I've just spent all my luck for 2021, then, as I was not aware!
posted by Harald74 at 10:29 AM on January 21, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by Harald74 at 10:29 AM on January 21, 2021 [1 favorite]
So freaking adorable!
posted by Jess the Mess at 10:42 AM on January 21, 2021
posted by Jess the Mess at 10:42 AM on January 21, 2021
We have a bad relationship with the local crew of squirrels that live around my house.
First, they got into the siding above my porch, and chewed a hole in a wood panel to make access easier. We had pest control come in, close up the holes and install a one-way door so the ones that were inside at the time could get out. No squirrels were harmed.
Second, we bought a few stings of Christmas lights so we could light up the backyard and have small social gatherings outside this fall. The lights really helped the space. But the squirrels have chewed the lights off all the strings. Only took them about a week to get started. I’d come home from the grocery store or whatever, and the darn squirrel would be standing on top of the fence holding one of the lights. Those things aren’t edible dude! Chew on something else!
They chewed them even when they were on, but there was no squirrel electrocution as far as I can tell.
Anyhow, the photos are great, I’m just cranky about Squirrels these days.
posted by thenormshow at 11:27 AM on January 21, 2021 [1 favorite]
First, they got into the siding above my porch, and chewed a hole in a wood panel to make access easier. We had pest control come in, close up the holes and install a one-way door so the ones that were inside at the time could get out. No squirrels were harmed.
Second, we bought a few stings of Christmas lights so we could light up the backyard and have small social gatherings outside this fall. The lights really helped the space. But the squirrels have chewed the lights off all the strings. Only took them about a week to get started. I’d come home from the grocery store or whatever, and the darn squirrel would be standing on top of the fence holding one of the lights. Those things aren’t edible dude! Chew on something else!
They chewed them even when they were on, but there was no squirrel electrocution as far as I can tell.
Anyhow, the photos are great, I’m just cranky about Squirrels these days.
posted by thenormshow at 11:27 AM on January 21, 2021 [1 favorite]
We are currently in an extended love affair with one squirrel among the dozens and dozens around our little urban yard. Back in early Covid one of the spring's new crop was born with a blonde tail which caught my eye so I began talking and chirping at him when he appeared on the lawn near our porch - then I began tossing a peanut or two and soon he was purposefully coming near for a nut reward. Before too long we'd switched to walnuts and he began climbing the steps onto the porch and by late June we were feeding him at our feet. One evening we're cooking dinner and glance out the front door and there he is on the porch looking in the door - and now, believe it or not, even in freezing winter weather, we'll step out on the porch and call his name, Davey, and routinely within minutes he'll appear from a nearby tree, even from across the street, and come up the steps, spend 10-15 minutes eating and then be off 'til the next day. Now eight months into our special relationship with this little friend we have no idea how long it may last but it's been a serendipitous love since we had to put down our dog in the first days of lockdown and Davey makes us laugh like only a pet can. The pics I have of him standing up and peering in our front door send our friends into stitches.
posted by thecincinnatikid at 11:44 AM on January 21, 2021 [6 favorites]
posted by thecincinnatikid at 11:44 AM on January 21, 2021 [6 favorites]
One thing I miss about the Northern Hemisphere is squirrels.
A few years ago, in Mexico City, the locals looked at us like we were idiots as we marveled at and chased the squirrels around the main square in Coyoacán.
Just one more way the Southern Hemisphere gets the short end of the stick, I guess.
posted by signal at 11:45 AM on January 21, 2021 [1 favorite]
A few years ago, in Mexico City, the locals looked at us like we were idiots as we marveled at and chased the squirrels around the main square in Coyoacán.
Just one more way the Southern Hemisphere gets the short end of the stick, I guess.
posted by signal at 11:45 AM on January 21, 2021 [1 favorite]
thecincinnatikid - Please post a link to the photos!
Also - I named a squirrel Genevieve, who often would come to us for food. She'd take peanuts (in the shell) from my hand. I worried about her _a lot_ when we traveled. I'm convinced she was hit by a car because she had to look for food in new places. If this situation ever arises again, I'm going to make sure a neighbor feeds her while I'm away.
posted by amtho at 11:59 AM on January 21, 2021
Also - I named a squirrel Genevieve, who often would come to us for food. She'd take peanuts (in the shell) from my hand. I worried about her _a lot_ when we traveled. I'm convinced she was hit by a car because she had to look for food in new places. If this situation ever arises again, I'm going to make sure a neighbor feeds her while I'm away.
posted by amtho at 11:59 AM on January 21, 2021
The title did not prepare me for the emotional gravity of the content and 60 seconds is an achingly brief space for Niki Colemont's backstory. I found photo drops of his work here and here.
On a personal note, my household has been fostering a squirrel since September. His name is Rupert and he's still quite young (they take a year or two to mature). He's increasingly independent though and he is the cutest thing on four paws! Everyone who says that squirrels are not pets is correct; he's a semi-feral creature who would go insane without trees to climb. He's just a semi-feral creature who likes to thumb wrestle. I didn't think that an appreciation for squirrels would be a silver lining of 2020 but here we are.
posted by Leeway at 2:15 PM on January 21, 2021
On a personal note, my household has been fostering a squirrel since September. His name is Rupert and he's still quite young (they take a year or two to mature). He's increasingly independent though and he is the cutest thing on four paws! Everyone who says that squirrels are not pets is correct; he's a semi-feral creature who would go insane without trees to climb. He's just a semi-feral creature who likes to thumb wrestle. I didn't think that an appreciation for squirrels would be a silver lining of 2020 but here we are.
posted by Leeway at 2:15 PM on January 21, 2021
What a good, wholesome video. Getting out into the wilds can be therapeutic in all kinds of ways, as can interacting with animals. I'm glad he has the forest and his squirrel friends.
(I was vaguely, tangentially reminded of this old Flickr page where the guy was obsessed with squirrels and vintage cameras so he started taking photos where the squirrels looked like they were using the old cameras. This was back when the internet was a nicer place)
posted by Pallas Athena at 3:57 PM on January 21, 2021
(I was vaguely, tangentially reminded of this old Flickr page where the guy was obsessed with squirrels and vintage cameras so he started taking photos where the squirrels looked like they were using the old cameras. This was back when the internet was a nicer place)
posted by Pallas Athena at 3:57 PM on January 21, 2021
thecincinnatikid - Please post a link to the photos!
Here's Davey at the front door asking can we come out and play and please bring some walnuts
https://imgur.com/a/TsVwF65
posted by thecincinnatikid at 12:20 PM on January 22, 2021 [1 favorite]
Here's Davey at the front door asking can we come out and play and please bring some walnuts
https://imgur.com/a/TsVwF65
posted by thecincinnatikid at 12:20 PM on January 22, 2021 [1 favorite]
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