Nicko's Big Picture » Squirrel

A Squirrel Call Video for National Squirrel Appreciation Day

Nicko — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 11:00:29 +0000

In honor of National Squirrel Appreciation Day I thought I’d post this short video of a squirrel making some sort of mating call. I captured this when I was in Charlottesville, Virginia on December 5th, 2011. If that doesn’t satisfy your need for squirrel images, try browsing the old squirrel tag.

Fat Squirrel

Nicko — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 11:00:40 +0000

Taken on December 4th, 2011.

Acrobatic Squirrel

Nicko — Wed, 11 May 2011 12:00:50 +0000

Squirrel Reach

Nicko — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 13:00:21 +0000

Taken on February 27th, 2011.

Baby Squirrel Foraging

Nicko — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 13:00:09 +0000

Squirrel Hanging Out

Nicko — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 10:00:23 +0000

As many of you are aware, I pertinaciously take squirrel portraits. The subjects are usually a selection from the dray of squirrels that occupy the tree outside my window. I am easily distracted by their antics and yesterday I rushed to grab my camera as one hung upside down to nab a winter treat. It’s a terrible photograph, but a nice moment.

The Adventures of the Irreverent Squirrel – Part Two

Nicko — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:00:27 +0000

Yesterday’s post, about my squirrel picture on wikipedia leading to some beautiful original artwork in the Philippines, is actually not the only resurfacing of that image.

In December, I got an email from a woman in Australia (who somehow could pick out my specific squirrel picture from memory) about how she noticed it was on a local TV show. Apparently, an ABC show about zombies used my photo as part of the backstory behind the series, cleverly named ‘Zombies.’

The show is only viewable online from Australia (unfortunately, I think it has expired) and I was able to watch the first part of the episode. According to Zombies, my furry friend was responsible for transferring the zombie brain-virus to humans in rural Kentucky, hastening the apocalypse. Oops.

The Adventures of the Irreverent Squirrel

Nicko — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:00:20 +0000

There is a surprisingly long story behind this simple coffee tumbler. On June 25th, 2007 I took a trip down to the National Mall with my friend Sam. I borrowed another friend’s Digital Rebel XTi and was eager to play around with it. Fortunately, we stumbled on a perfect subject, a common grey eastern squirrel that endured close human proximity in hopes of getting some edible loot from the passing tourists. I held my camera out at arms length and snapped as many pictures as I could. I eventually added one of the images to wikipedia, sharing the rather comical fellow with the world. The photo took on a life of its own (some of which I’ve touched on in a previous post).

Skip ahead to June of 2009. Regina F. Silva, a graphic designer/illustrator in the Philippines, sends me an email asking to use the original squirrel photo as inspiration for a drawing. Flattered and intrigued, I accept.

The shared appreciation for this entertaining creature and the tone of the Regina’s emails gave me confidence in the possibilities of this proposition. Months later, after more friendly exchanges and a sneak peek at a draft, she launched the first item in a line of squirrel-related items. She promised to send me the entire line of products and yesterday, I received the wonderful bounty.

I could not be more pleased with the results and I’d like to thank Miss Silva for her devotion to her beautiful designs and for letting me know about this project. While we’re on opposite sides of the planet, it’s nice to know that there is someone else out there who wants to share humorous squirrel antics with the world.

When I excitedly opened the package from the Philippines I was touched by the note that Regina included with all the fruits of her labor (reproduced to the right). Best of luck to you and may the squirrel products prosper!

Please check out her Etsy shop and website, both are filled with whimsical original work. I would also recommend checking out her recent blog post about how she took a leap of faith to follow her dream of becoming a graphic designer.

Snow Nibble

Nicko — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:00:11 +0000

This photo is in honor of Squirrel Appreciation Day (actually on January 21st). Some fun squirrel facts:

There are more than 300 species of squirrel.
Different types of squirrels range in size from five inches (the African pygmy squirrel) to three feet (Indian giant squirrel).
The word “squirrel” comes from the Greek word skiouros, which means shadow-tailed.
Squirrels have brought down the NASDAQ stock market twice, once in 1987 and once in 1994.

Foraging Black Squirrel

Nicko — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:00:08 +0000

Perching Squirrel

Nicko — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:23:36 +0000

Squirrel with Acorn

Nicko — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:04:33 +0000

Squirrel with Pita

Nicko — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:00:59 +0000

Looking Up

Nicko — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 11:00:20 +0000

Peeking Down

Nicko — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 11:00:11 +0000

Squirrel Week – Post #7

Nicko — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 12:00:29 +0000

Goodbye sweet Squirrel Week, hopefully this becomes an annual tradition.

Squirrel Week – Post #6

Nicko — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 12:00:12 +0000

Squirrel Week – Post #5

Nicko — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:00:03 +0000

This photo (taken through a screen and a window with a sun reflection) captures a squirrel lying prone on a branch in an attempt to survive the DC heat.

Squirrel Week – Post #4

Nicko — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 12:00:17 +0000

This is easily in my top five favorites of pictures I’ve ever taken.

Squirrel Week – Post #3

Nicko — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:00:33 +0000

This picture was taken on my first digital camera and was actually one of the earliest images I’ve taken. Sentimental qualities far outweigh image quality.