American Red Squirrel, Bear Head Lake State Park, Minnesota
We don’t have them here in our woods, the American Red Squirrel. They feed primarily on the seeds of conifer cones and we just don’t have this food source. It is smaller than our Eastern Gray Squirrels. If you see them in or near your campsite, there is no reason to set the alarm clock if you like to get out of the tent very early in the morning. The Red Squirrel will wake you up with a loud chatter with the first day light.
During an early morning walk in Bear Head Lake State Park this little guy walked towards me on this fallen, mossy tree trunk and announced my approach with the camera vociferously. I love how its bushy tail is backlit by the light peeking through the trees.
Nikon Z6II, Nikon FTZ adapter, Sigma 150-600mm / f5-6.3 DG OS HSM S, @ 600 mm, 1/250 s, f/6.3, ISO 2000