Notes from the Woods

seeing · environment · exploration · photography

Don’t ignore your own yard…

Written by Mark

Born and raised in Detroit, c. 323 ppm CO2, Mark Graf is a Michigan photographer, naturalist, and diver whose muse is summoned by exploring the endless connections in nature; land, sea, and sky.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

CH8523.jpgI don’t spend enough time in my own yard photographing the many critters that come to visit here. I have been pretty fortunate to catch a few rare ones, like the Coopers Hawk that was visiting for awhile. But I haven’t really spent enough time photographing the more “common” visitors, like squirrels and chipmunks. Both of them are pretty comical to watch at times, you would think I have thousands of pictures of both. But I don’t.. hardly any actually. So I am going to make an effort to change that.

I happened to really like this particular shot of this chipmunk that I just shot today.   Life is hard as a chipmunk – just when you get your ears pierced, some other jealous one wants to rip it away.   🙂

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15 Comments

  1. John

    The essence of the Tao can be found in the smallest detail of the most ordinary day.

  2. Judith Polakoff

    This is a beautiful image for all the reasons of light and color and composition, and then you were lucky enough to catch the chipmunk with its cheeks full! Absolutely gorgeous, Mark, and I also look forward to seeing your “yard” photos. I’m sure they’ll be top notch! 🙂

  3. Paul Grecian

    Mark,

    This has to be one of the most wonderful images of a chipmunk I’ve seen. Such great character and so well crafted. The perspective is so important here and the beautiful colors, contrasting fur with the green background. I just really enjoy looking at it.

  4. Mark

    Thanks to all of you for the visit and leaving comments!

  5. Mike Moats

    Hey Mark, what a great capture, well done!!

  6. Bernie Kasper

    Wonderful shot Mark, you have some beautiful work here.

  7. Andy-Kim Möller

    Very nice shot. You fired at exact the right time.

  8. wren

    There’s great value in sitting still and looking at what’s around us. I see the most interesting things when I do. I will really look forward to seeing the ‘every ten feet’ photos – should be an interesting exercise.

  9. paul

    I love it, Mark. One cannot help but to smile when seeing this photo! Lovely!

  10. heather

    BTW, I just love your wantermark/logo. Very nicely done!

  11. heather

    🙂 Took me a bit to get the “ear piercing” note. Great! Ya just gotta smile when you see this photo. I have given myself a similar challenge: to SEE my home territory as if i don’t live here…I have no problem getting excited about photographing the Sierra’s, or the desert, or anywhere else I’m traveling, but photographing right around my home? I’ve gotten LAZY. I’ve vowed to unblock myself creatively right here in my own backyard (okay, that is right after I return from the Pacific Northwest and Canada!).

    Here’s to self challenges!

  12. Ron Niebrugge

    That is really cute – look at those cheeks!

    I wish I had a better backyard.

  13. Thalia

    The picture’s simply beautiful! Love the expression on the chipmunk’s face! 🙂

  14. Mark

    Thanks Diane! In fact, I made up an assignment to give myself. In the coming weeks, I am going to make an image every 10 feet by walking around the perimeter of my yard. Should be quite a challenge I think. But it will definitely make me explore possibilities I probably might not have otherwise.

  15. Diane - Daily Walks

    I love this one, Mark. It made me smile and that ear makes her very unique. You’re so right about not ignoring your own yard. I’ve come to the conclusion that if one was confined to a small space for a long period of time, they could photograph it forever and come up with many, many unique, wonderful shots… via the lighting, weather and creatures that come to visit.