Each year Carl's backyard is home to various birds and squirrels. There is a bird feeder in a tree out back that has proven irresistable to the neighborhood squirrel. Carl has taken advantage of the squirrel's visits to learn how to use his new camera (Winter 2004).

This squirrel visits almost daily along with the sparrow, hummingbirds, flycatchers, and morning doves. Although the squirrel is somewhat tolerant of Carl's photography, he usually doesn't stick around very long when Carl tries to join him close to the trees. This is exactly why Carl purchased a digital camera with a 12X optical zoom. Carl hopes he can figure out how to use the camera well before his Minnesota trip in June.

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Another look at the  squirrel ...

Carl was fascinated with the details of the squirrels feet and knuckles.

The photograph is accented with the new green growth of the Camarillo spring season, which actually gets underway in the winter.

You lookin' at Me?

 Carl's not sure who's more interested in who. The squirrel spends time sizing him up while he shoots his photographs.

Although these photographs may be downloaded in their entirety by clicking on any of the images, they are copyright. Carl asks that if you use them you let him know, and that you give credit to him by referring interested persons to this website.

Carl has really been enjoying his new Panasonic Lumix Camera. It is a 4 Megapixel digital camera that has a 12X optical zoom lens. It also has electronic stabilization that "holds the camera still" when you take a picture that is all zoomed in. All of these squirrel shots were taken from probably 60 feet or so with the camera hand held (no tripod).

Carl is looking forward to taking his new camera on his summer vacation into the northern woods of Minnesota. In the past he's used a little 2 megapixel Canon point and shoot camera to take the vacation photos. This new camera of his has settings for just about everything and as Carl puts it "it is no point and shoot camera!" However Carl hopes to improve his scenery and wildlife photography so he can collect more and more photographs to use as references for his artwork. Of course Carl knows that having a good camera is less than half of the equation - knowing what to do with it is the all important thing. 

Here he is on the ground...

Once in a while the squirrel ventures onto the ground but he must keep a sharp eye out for Carl's dog, lady.

The squirrel is contrasted against the grass and succulent plants.

One final shot before moving on to birds, plants and other reference photos...

Actually this photograph was taken on a different day than the others and Carl suspects this is not the same squirrel he photographed earlier (this one appears to either be pregnant or very well fed!).

Continue into the next section of Reference Photos