December, 2012
A picture of red squirrel in the snow was in our minds for some time. Last year we headed to Scotland where the biggest population of UK red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) is found. Unfortunately we did not get a chance to photograph this ginger coated beauty in the snow. Unusually for Scotland, February was without snow. This year we headed to meet Simon Phillpotts in Yorkshire Dales which is widely recognized as an important habitat for red squirrels.
Upon arrival we settled down in a small family run hotel. In the morning we had a very nice surprise. It seemed to have happened over-nigh, but the weather temperature had dropped and we had a feeling that the snow was on the way. We were right. The first snowflakes we've noticed early afternoon.
We kept our fingers crossed for snow, snow and more snow...
In an hour heavy snow band had moved in and the whole scene turned into a winter wonderland. Within minutes ear tufts of the red squirrels started to look like needles.
And then a real challenge began. Heavy snow and big flakes made focusing very tricky and complicated but we couldn't stop trying...
That evening we came back to our hotel wet and cold but with smile on our faces. We were praying for the snow to stay overnight and couldn't stop looking out the window. Luckily it was not raining and ground was still covered in snow. Finally we went to bed with a candle by our bed. For the first time in our experience we stayed in a hotel without electricity. Strong winds have done the job...
The next morning there was still plenty of snow around and the day ahead looked very promising. Red squirrels enjoyed the snow and most of the time there were 2 - 3 ginger beauties around.
We've noticed that cute red squirrels really stood out in the white snow so we decided to try high key photography.
As it was not snowing and the squirrels were coming very close we decided to experiment with a wide angle lens. This is our favourite shot.
That day turned out to be very creative...
To our big shock one of our cameras stopped working after yesterday's harsh conditions and high humidity. It was very very frustrating. Luckily at the end we found another way of using it ... We placed couple of peanuts inside the lens hood as we were hoping to get a squirrel in or on top of the lens. We were amazed by one squirrel which was not shy at all and got inside a lens hood several times. It was very exiting.
As the squirrel realized that we kept replacing the peanuts, it didn't mind coming back again and again...
Even a small lens made an impression...
It was simply amazing but to tell the truth our faces looked a bit worried. Sharp nails and teeth of this brave little beauty could have easily scratched the lenses and cameras. Luckily the squirrel behaved and have not done any damage.
It was simply an unforgettable experience. The journey was more than we expected and we were left with a terrible heartbreaking feeling of wanting to stay much longer. Back at home, we dried out the camera properly and it started working. Lucky...