[Leica] SQUIRREL & PEANUTS ... Another Backyard Character

[tedgrant at shaw.ca (tedgrant at shaw.ca)]

Jim Nichols showed:
>> We have several squirrels who take refuge in our one remaining backyard 
>> oak, and I can seldom catch them on the ground.  This one knew I was 
>> watching him, but, since I was outside the fence, he felt secure for 
>> quite a while.
>>
>> http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/OldNick/Squirrel+96.jpg.html <<<<


Hi Jim,
http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/leicated/ted+grant/SQUIRREL+_amp_+peanuts_.jpg.html

The secret is peanuts! :-) Buy a bag of bulk peanuts for the cheapest price 
at your local grocery store and feed them a few each day. Gradually they'll 
"almost pose for you" as soon as they hear the rattle of the peanut bag.  If 
you buy unshelled peanuts you can eventually get them to eat right out of 
your hand.... HOWEVER!!!!!!

"I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS METHOD!!" They have very sharp teeth and losing a 
finger tip isn't cool! :-(

So hand drop the nuts where you've already pre-focused the lens or nearly 
so. then you can shoot while they munch at their lunch. If you want them to 
move? Just toss a few where you want them to move to. "CLICK!" :-)

I shot this little guy through the sliding door glass to our back deck while 
sitting on the floor in the kitchen. He and his mates would come at least 
twice most days to feed. Often have a look a third time to see if there was 
any feed out for them. This also works fairly well with bird feed if peanuts 
aren't available.

Cheers
ted