Earlier today I made a blog post about finding ticks on the cottontail rabbits that frequent my backyard “Cottontail Rabbits and Ticks In My Backyard”. This afternoon, I wanted to share an image from another tick encounter I captured some months ago – this time with a fox squirrel.
Back in June, while photographing wildlife in my backyard, I noticed a tick lodged in the tip of a fox squirrel’s ear and quickly snapped some closeup photos. After closer look, I could see a tick had attached itself to the squirrel. However, this tick didn’t appear as blood filled as the ones I often find on the rabbits around my yard.
It’s always unsettling to find ticks on wildlife near my home, even if the encounter was a while ago. As a wildlife photographer, I feel fortunate to document these kinds of interactions to educate others and serve as a reminder about ticks.
While finding the tick was concerning, it was still thrilling to photograph this energetic fox squirrel back in June as it went about its daily activities, oblivious to my camera. Fox squirrels are fun critters to observe and capture. Even though the tick sighting was unfortunate, it’s the reality of nature and backyard wildlife.
Stay tuned for more backyard wildlife encounters! There’s never a shortage of interesting creatures to observe and photograph here in Arkansas.
Steve Creek, Wildlife Photographer
FAQs
- Do ticks harm wildlife like fox squirrels?
Ticks can potentially harm wildlife by transmitting diseases, but the extent of harm depends on various factors, including the health of the animal. - How can we protect wildlife from ticks?
Wildlife can be protected from ticks through habitat management and public awareness programs. It’s essential to strike a balance between conservation efforts and the natural ecosystem.
Equipment Used:
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: Canon RF 800 mm F11
Technical Details:
- Location:Lavaca, Arkansas
- Date and Time Taken: June 14, 2023 (11:11 A. M.)
- Program Mode: Manual
- Aperture: f11
- Shutter speed: 1/800
- ISO: 1250 (Auto)
- Exp. Comp.: +0.7
- Focal Length: 800 mm