Very impressive eye and sharp detail of the head, neck.  Lovely.  Best Regards,

You should do the following:

Wildlife

Starts: 2013-10-04 Submissions closed: 2013-10-24 Contest ends: 2013-11-01 Status: Open for submissions.

Simply superb, Alf -  I just love the colour, the exquisite detail, the black backdrop, his pose - what more can I say !

Warm regards

Jim

Love the crispness and the 'dead-on' point of focus.

Hi Alf,

It is good to see you using your camera and lens hand held.

While you did not mention the working distance, the rate of focus change for a 200 mm at F/4 lens suggests that this squirrel allowed you to get rather close to him. This is to your advantage and the lens, as the magnification provides a better development of details, too.

A nice natural setting, too.

Best Regards my friend, Mike

These little fellows often present interesting photography opportunities. Great capture!

A really beautiful shot with very nice lighting and details, Alf!

Such lovely clarity and deep (green) colors, Alf.

Very nicely composed & yes, your title seems apt. Gr, M

SPLENDID PROPOSAL!!!

Hi Alf,

  Wonderful image with beautiful colors, sharpness & details.  Take care, Patsy

Very nice.  Well composed and tack sharp with good detail.  

Great shot of this little nut collector! ...  Mike

Beware squirrels hoarding their nuts!  For whatever it's worth, I totally agree with Wanghan; this image needs to be entered in the wildlife contest ASAP.  Amazing detail and color - an extraordinary portrayal of one of nature's cutest creatures.

My best,

michael

Thank you! I have taken your advice and entered the competition : - ) 

These were experimental shots with the new lens in January, I was quite pleased with the way it performed.

Best Regards 

Alf 

JIM 

Sincere Thanks for your interest and kind words. 

These little guys are fairly tame as they get fed by visitors to the park, and this one allowed me to get fairly close to take the shot.

Best Regards 

Alf 

TONY 

I had a very willing subject for a change : - ) 

Many Thanks Tony

Alf 

MIKE 

I find it easier to handle the heavier weight of the Sigma 70 - 200 mm F / 2.8, and of course you don't have the luxury of taking your time when it comes to wildlife.

But, yes you are right this little chap was most accommodating, and allowed me to get quite close to get the shot.

Best Regards my friend.

Alf 

JUHA 

They are quite a common sight where I live, but fascinating nonetheless.

Sincere Thanks

Alf 

RUUD 

Many Thanks for your interest and kind words! 

Best Regards 

Alf 

MARJOLEIN 

It was quite dark in the woods, but the high ISO helped me get the fast shutter speed and when I processed the image I used that darkness to my advantage.

Sincere Thanks 

Alf 

MAURIZIO

Many Thanks for your interest and kind words! 

Best Regards 

Alf 

PATSY 

Throw him a few nuts and he will pose for anyone : - ) Wish the same could be said for human subjects ! 

Many Thanks & Best Regards 

Alf 

BILL

I  probably get as many squirrels in my garden as you get Deer........care to swap : - ) 

Sincere Thanks! 

Alf 

MIKE M 

They reckon that squirrels can't actually remember where they put their nuts, they just take so many randomly and hope to get lucky finding one later, bit like me with photographs : - ) 

Many Thanks! 

Alf 

MICHAEL 

Many thanks for your thoughts and kind words. Yes I took Wanghams advice and entered the competition, I must say old squirrel nutkin might be intimidated by the majestic lions and other more glamorous creatures it now rubs shoulders with : - )

Cheers Michael!

Alf 

Hi Alf, Just came across this little fellow and I have to say the way this POPS against that dark BG maybe you should consider throwing "Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed" into the contest. The eye is in perfect focus and the composition overall is spot on, a beautiful capture my friend.

Warm Regards,

Holger

Alf,

Just ran across this little guy while looking over the other entrants!

Glad you took the advice!

I really like the composition although the subject is centered in what appears to be a square dimension frame.

I think what makes the composition for me is what he's sitting on, and the way the light gives it an upward appearance and, the position of his tail. For me anyways, it sorta of "evens out the frame" and draws the eye to his/her eye.

Was always curious how they looked across "the big pond" compared to our Red Fox or Gray Squirrels here in the American Midwest!

Best wishes always,

Jim j.

great to see also 'non-landscape' photos from your camera! Besides what others mentioned (esp. well worked out details), I like the colours: there is this cold greenish-turquoise-cold background and glow contrasting very well to the warming rusty-red of the fur.

Many thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback, much appreciated.

I have already entered the competition.  Whilst the humble squirrel is perhaps not the most majestic of creatures, he does look cute : - ) But of course I realise there are some great nature photographers on PN far more experienced and skilled than I.

Warm Regards 

Alf 

JIM

This was originally a landscape orientated shot, but there wasn't much of interest at either side, so I decided to fill the frame with the subject. Its very gratifying to read that you think it works, and thank you for giving me your reasoning for this. 

The "Gray Squirrel" pictured here is of course not a native of the UK, it was an interloper  from the USA : - ) 

Unfortunately our smaller native  "Red Squirrel" has suffered as the Gray carries a virus and the population of Reds have dwindled drastically, but the good news is they are making a come back! 

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and observations Jim.

Best Regards 

Alf 

WOLFGANG

I do take a step back now and again and try something different, and when I do I usually enjoy it very much.  Street photography is my usual diversion from landscapes, but I am leaning more towards nature these days. I hope to obtain a longer lens in the not too distant future that will point me further down that road.

Many Thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback! 

Best Regards 

Alf 

Hi Alf, you got this beautiful so crisp, the  dark green background make it to pop up. Very well done!!!!

Warm regards,

LuDa

Hi Alf,

Wow, I second Wanghan Li's comment and glad you have entered this in the wildlife competition - good luck! The sharpness, details, pose and background are quite special. Very well done with your new lens. Best wishes. Sarah.

Greetings Alf!

This image is an excellent example of what good equipment and technique can do with a common subject. Nicely composed (looks like he is praying) with good contrast, color and outstanding sharpness. The dark background really makes this furry critter pop. Love it Alf! Warm regards, Rob

Many Thanks for your interest and thoughtful feedback.  I managed to get quite close to him in the dark woodland, I think he was too preoccupied with what he was eating to pay much attention to me : - ) 

Warm Regards 

Alf 

SARAH 

I was a bit reluctant to enter the competition at first, the kind of "Lions and Tigers and Bears"  <<(stole that line from the wizard of Oz) photographs that appeared made my humble squirrel appear somewhat........well humble : -) 

But I'm very pleased you liked it! 

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards 

Alf 

ROB 

Thank you so much! 

It was in fact me that was praying ..........praying that he didn't move as I got closer : - ) 

Speaking of "getting closer" I haven't yet decided on a longer lens.  I am still very impressed with the  Nikon 300 mm F/ 4 lens and  1.5 X Teleconverter set u that you employ to great effect, but it isn't quite as versatile as I need to double up as a landscape lens.  I have however seen several results from a variety of photographers that use the Sigma 150 - 500 mm lens which might make a bit more sense financially than the new Nikon 80 - 400 mm which seems rather over priced.

Many thanks for your former advice on this subject  and for your thoughts and positive feedback Rob.

Warm Regards 

Alf 

Magnificent!  I keep wanting to reach out and offer him a peanut.  Simply gorgeous colours and details.

Thank you so much! 

A bit risky offering a peanut though, I do know of people that have done just that only to be rewarded by the squirrel quite literally "biting the hand that feeds it"! Not that I think that the squirrels are being malicious or aggressive, I just don't think they know the difference between peanuts and fingers : - ) 

Cheers Jim! 

Alf 

Any thoughts on dof or any other aspect of the image good or bad would be

appreciated. Thank You.