 | These pictures were taken in March, so the squirrels still have their winter coats. The difference in fur is most visible around the ears. Here's a basic squirrel picture. |
 | Many of these pictures show squirrels eating. Squirrels are easier to photograph when they are eating, because at most other times they are in constant motion. The squirrels in these pictures have been given hazelnuts (filberts). |
 | I've got a new camera that does close-up shots better, although I don't pretend to be a real photographer. This is a very "tame" individual animal, because otherwise I'd need an expensive telephoto lens for this sort of picture. |
 | This critter looks like he's praying! |
 | This is one of the photos where the "red-eye reduction" feature on the camera worked well. Note the metal ear tag they put on for a scientific study of the campus squirrel population a while back. |
 | I like how the different colors balance in this photo. A real photographer could probably explain this principle better. |
 | This squirrel has an almost perfect tail. For all these pictures, there are maybe 8 or 9 individual animals. |
 | No squirrel in this picture. Just one of the many beautiful sections of the Berkeley campus. |
 | Here are some students studying squirrel problem-solving behavior. You can see a squirrel on the "obstacle course." |
 | This is not a squirrel, but it acts like one. I'm told this is a scrub jay, which is sort of a western version of the common bluejays found in the eastern U.S. This bird will hang around and fly off with any filberts I toss in his direction. Bluejays, like squirrels, will hoard nuts and seeds. |
 | A Squirrel on the lookout. Squirrels have extremely sharp claws, which enable them to stick to the sides of trees. You will notice this quickly if you let a squirrel climb onto your knee. They aren't the slashing, predator type of claw. Rather, they are fine, needle-like points. |
 | Another squirrel eating. |
 | The squirrel log! If you sit here, they will come! |
 | Two squirrels keeping an eye on each other. This time of year, they will not get as close to one another without fighting or fleeing. It probably has something to do with the mating season, which should be about now. At other times of the year, squirrels will sit and eat within maybe a foot of another squirrel. Most of these animals are male. |
 | Where's Waldo? Squirrels are very visible on a green lawn, but notice how this one blends in with the colors and dappled sunlight of a more natural forest floor. As you might imagine, this is an evolved defense against predators. |
 | Another squirrel. I used a 35-80mm zoom lens for most of these pictures. |
 | And here's another...squirrel! |
 | Squirrel's don't seem to mind eating upside down. |
 | This is the same animal. It is hanging on with its hind feet while eating. This is a redwood tree, with very soft, spongy bark, which may have something to do with it. Here the "red-eye reduction" isn't working, resulting in the "demonic" look. |
 | A squirrel close-up. |
 | Another picture of showing how well camouflaged squirrels can be. |
 | A somewhat stretched squirrel. |
 | Another pose that's a bit different. |
 | Another squirrel eating. |
 | And another... |
 | This critter looks like he's giving me a really good explanation of why I should hand him another filbert. |
 | A close-up of a more "tame" individual squirrel. This one would probably let me pet him, but I didn't try it. |
 | Same critter. |
 | Same critter again. |