In the Field

Soaked Squirrel. Findlay Creek, BC, Canada. June 18, 2005.

This rain-soaked Red Squirrel was, if nothing else, highly curious about what the heck I was up to when I shot this image. When I shot it, I wanted all the attention drawn to the squirrel's face - including its nose and whiskers, as well as its eyes. But I wanted little else in sharp focus - so I opened my lens's aperture almost wide open and fired away.

I included this image on the website for one other reason: should you (or should you not) shoot in the rain? Personally, I really like shooting in the rain for a number of reasons. First, the lighting is often very even and without harsh shadows and, consequently, it can let you bring out some of the more subtle tones on an animal's fur (or feathers). Second, because many photographers DON'T shoot in the rain (or only rarely shoot in the rain), you can capture images that others miss. Shooting in the rain presents its own challenges, most specifically on how to keep your gear dry and protected. I use rain shields to protect my gear (they're like little GoreTex coats for my cameras and lenses). For more info on these shields, check out the information on Field Gear (see Bio: Camera Gear: Additional Accessories and Gadgets).

Behind the Camera

Soaked Squirrel. Findlay Creek, BC, Canada. June 18, 2005.

Digital Capture; Compressed RAW (NEF) format; ISO 100.

Nikon D2X with Nikon 200-400 mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR lens @ 340 mm (510 mm equivalent with digital conversion factor) supported on Gitzo 1348 carbon fibre tripod with Wimberley head. VR turned to "On" and in "Normal" mode.

1/60s @ f4.5; -0.67 stop compensation from matrix-metered exposure setting.

At the Computer

Soaked Squirrel. Findlay Creek, BC, Canada. June 18, 2005.

Details to follow.

Conservation

Soaked Squirrel. Findlay Creek, BC, Canada. June 18, 2005.

Information to follow.