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Fox Squirrel


Fox Squirrel
Information sur la photo
Copyright: Manyee Desandies (manyee) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3115 W: 235 N: 6598] (22804)
Genre: Animals
Média: Couleur
Date de prise de vue: 2006-11-10
Catégories: Mammals
Appareil photographique: Canon Powershot S3 IS
Exposition: f/3.5, 1/60 secondes
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
Versions: version originale
Thème(s): Squirrels II, 40 - 49 Points (Chapter 9) [view contributor(s)]
Date de soumission: 2006-11-11 19:15
Vue: 4519
Points: 46
[Ligne directrice - Note] Note du photographe
Fox Squirrel
Sciurus niger

The Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger) is the largest species of tree squirrels native to North America. They are also sometimes referred to as the Stump-eared Squirrel, Racoon Squirrel, or Monkey-faced Squirrel.

The Fox Squirrel's natural range extends throughout the eastern United States, excluding New England, north into the southern prairie provinces of Canada, and west to the Dakotas, Colorado, and Texas. They have been introduced into Northern California. While very versatile in their habitat choices, fox squirrels are most often found in forest patches of 400,000 square metres or less with an open understory. They thrive best among trees such as oak, hickory, walnut and pine that produce winter-storable foods like nuts. Western range extensions in Great Plains regions such as Kansas are associated with riverine corridors of cottonwood.

Total body length measures 45 to 70 cm, tail length is 20 to 33 cm, and they range in weight from 500 to 1000 grams. There is no sexual dimorphism in size or appearance. Individuals tend to be smaller in the west. There are three distinct geographical phases in coloration: in most areas the animals are brown-grey to brown-yellow, while in eastern regions such as the Appalachians there are more strikingly-patterned dark brown and black squirrels with white bands on the face and tail. In the south can be found isolated communities with uniform black coats.

Fox Squirrels depend primarily on tree seeds for food, but they are generalist eaters and will also consume buds and fruits, cultivated grain, insects, birds' eggs, and small lizards. Cannibalism has been reported, but should be considered very rare. In their regular diet of nuts, fox squirrels are classic scatter-hoarders that bury caches of nuts in dispersed locations, some of which are inevitably left unretrieved to germinate.

Fox Squirrels are strictly diurnal, non-territorial, and spend more of their time on the ground than most other tree squirrels. They are still, however, agile climbers. They construct two types of homes, depending on the season--summer dreys are often little more than platforms of sticks high in the branches of trees, while winter dens are usually hollowed out of tree trunks by a succession of occupants over as many as 30 years. Cohabitation of these dens is not uncommon, particularly among breeding pairs.

There are two breeding seasons, one peaking in December and the other in June. The young are blind, without fur and helpless at birth. They become independent at about three months and maturity is reached after one year. Their maximum life expectancy is 12.6 years for females and 8.6 years for males. Humans, hawks, snakes and bobcats prey on the squirrels.

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nainnain, Naturewalk, Pentaxfriend, Joffre, Dave, Alex99, Janice, gurupawan, reina, Hil, jchemas, elefantino, vanderschelden trouve(nt) cette note utile
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Critiques [Translate]

bonsoir
félicitations pour votre popularité vu tous les points que vous avez
vos images sont toutes magnifiques et je pense que l'on vous considère professionnel
cet écureil est superbe,les couleurs nettes, enfin tout est parfait
bien amicalement bravo et merci de jeter un tout peti coup d' oeil sur mes photos mais moi je débute et accepte tous les conseils
merci
edith

Hi Manyee

Excellent portrait, sharp details and very well framed and he is also cute. Good research on this squirrel.

PC :)

Hi Manyee,

Exellent shot of Squirrel
good sharpness, collours, POV and DOF
nice details and reflection in its eyes

TFS Thijs

Oh this one is so adorable. It looks like it's peeking out to you and posing for you.
Very nice details and sharpness. I like the composition and content. Good contrast of a rough tree to a smooth looking squirrel. Good one.
Steph

Hiya Manyee, great shot, like the colours and the texture of both the squirrel and the tree, very nice composition, cute capture!

So where did you take this, that you were close enough to use a flash? Do you have some sort of mesmerizing power over animals that you can get so close? It is a cute pose and has nice color and sharpness.

TFS
Evelynn : )

  • Great 
  • Dave Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 511 W: 43 N: 656] (2174)
  • [2006-11-11 23:12]

Excellent note and a tremendously cute picture!
The color and detail are very nice.
Thanks for sharing,

Dave

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2006-11-11 23:22]

Hello Manyee

A beautiful portrait of this squirrel.The details are super clear.I really like the little paw against the tree.Excellent POV and DOF.The composition is wonderful.TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3286 W: 148 N: 6163] (18826)
  • [2006-11-12 1:58]

Hello Manyee, I am slowly learning about squirrels, and then you show us another one - a Fox Squirrel. It looks very up-close to me and I feel I could touch it. Wonderful colours and sharpness. TFS
Janice

Hi Manyee,

You seem to have captured the character of this guy beautifully. Nothing more needs to be said I think.

Good work.
TFS, regards, Kiran Vasudeva.

Hi manyee,

A lovely capture with great details ,everything on this pic is really good , BG , SHARPNESS and composition is worth all the words spoken.

Tfs

Pawan

bonjour manyee
encore un cliché magnifique,cet ecureuil est tres mignon et vous l'avez pris a merveille.felicitations.
laurent

  • Great 
  • reina Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 257 W: 1 N: 328] (2026)
  • [2006-11-12 7:51]

Hi Manyee, a high cuteness factor so a big green smile for this one. Detail of the left hand is great, good POV and overall sharpness. Congratulations Reina

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4197 W: 135 N: 6774] (22360)
  • [2006-11-12 8:04]

Hi Manyee.
Great portrait of this cute squirrel. You have selected POV nicely. I like the composition and cropping very much as well as details and colours of the animal am whole shot. Superb done and TFS.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • wuta Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 855 W: 2 N: 617] (2142)
  • [2006-11-12 13:23]

Fantastic shot from the squirrel manyee ,good pose details colours pov and the light in his eye , tfs Greetings Teunie .

  • Great 
  • Hil Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 697 W: 13 N: 1406] (5033)
  • [2006-11-12 14:05]

Hi Manyee

Great shot with a lovely composition and POV, I just love the pose, he looks so human holding the tree for support and his tummy too, superb detials and excellent colours too.

TFS Hilary :o)

Hello Manyee
A beautiful portrait of this squirrel.
The details and color are superb and I like the position of the squirrel holding its self again the tree with a paw.
Great POV,DOF and love the framing
TFS
Regards
JC

Hi Manyee

What a lovely little visitor we have here. He has a lovely face and the catchlight in the eye is just perfect. Can you package him up and send him to me! I promise to give him a loving home and plenty of treats to eat! :-)

An amazingly cute portrait shot. I think this one is absolutely adorable Manyee. Very nice pose of your squirrely friend. Nice lighting and details. :)

Nice portrait of this fluffy squirrel.
The light on the eye is super.
Andrea

Hi Manyee,
Very cute image!
Lovely pose, good detail and great composition.
Thanks for sharing!
Chi

Hi Manyee,
Missed this one..
Cute with its 'hand' against the tree...
TFS
Annick

nice closeup, TFS Ori

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