The cuteness factor

[bajadreamer]

Living in Southern California, I do not get many chances to photograph large mammals, so to change up my addiction to taking pictures of birds, I occasionally will take shots of "ordinary" mammals. Often there is a "cuteness" factor that demands that I push the shutter. These are shots of a Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel and a Least Chipmunk. The GMGS is about twice the size of the LC. They were both residents of the same rockpile but not really happy neighbors. The larger squirrel would constantly chase and harrass the small one. Finally the LC ran up a dead tree and chattered about his displeasure.

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[Icarus]

The cutness factor is certainly there. Nice captures!

 

[gordon_g]

Agreed on the cuteness... well done!

 

[Callie]

Just gorgeous!

 

[bajadreamer]

The cutness factor is certainly there. Nice captures!

Thank you. My wife loves these critters; often asks me when I return from this spot if I got more pictures of the same (I assume) squirrels.

 

[bajadreamer]

Agreed on the cuteness... well done!

Thank you. Tough not to like these critters.

 

[bajadreamer]

Just gorgeous!

Thank you. I forgot to mention that the larger squirrel, the GMGS, had just filled his pouches with sunflower seeds that are present.

 

[Woody Meristem]

They sure are cute.

 

[Icarus]

Thank you. I forgot to mention that the larger squirrel, the GMGS, had just filled his pouches with sunflower seeds that are present.

Regards Golden Mantle, we had one one time that would sit on your hand. He could fit 83 hulled sunflowers into his pouches.

 

[bajadreamer]

Regards Golden Mantle, we had one one time that would sit on your hand. He could fit 83 hulled sunflowers into his pouches.

That must have been a time in your life where you had too much time on your hands.

 

[Icarus]

That must have been a time in your life where you had too much time on your hands.

But he was so cute. LOL Sitting on the back porch with a glass of wine looking at the view and playing with William Howard Taft, the Golden Mantle Squirrel.

 

[MorganP]

Looks like a Chipmunk to me.

 

[Yezdi]

Well done...they are indeed cute...

 

[bajadreamer]

Looks like a Chipmunk to me.

Interesting. I agree with you-I called them all "chipmunks", but if you Gooogle it, you will find tons of information about the difference between ground squirrels and chipmunks. Who would have thought?

 

[bajadreamer]

Well done...they are indeed cute...

Fun to watch too. Ask Icarus.

 

[Oosty]

Very pretty little critters

 

[Kathy G]

Very nice images