Small wildlife moments often make the strongest photographs. This Uinta Ground Squirrel gave me one of those moments in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah. It was feeding in thick roadside grass on a June morning.
Uinta Ground Squirrel Feeding in the Wasatch Mountains
I photographed this Uinta Ground Squirrel on June 2, 2022, at 9:46 A.M. The setting was the Wasatch Mountains of Utah, where the grass was tall enough to frame the squirrel but not hide it.
The squirrel was busy feeding when we spotted it. It held the grass close with its front feet and worked at the seed heads. Every so often, it paused and looked around.
Those pauses mattered. They gave me a cleaner look at the face, eye, ears, and body shape. The brown and gray fur also helped show how well this little mammal blended into the roadside vegetation.
This was part of the same outing that produced my post on Baby Uinta Ground Squirrels.
Photographing the Ground Squirrel From the Vehicle
My friend Mia McPherson was my driver and guide that morning. She spotted the squirrel while it was feeding, which gave me time to get ready without rushing.
I photographed from the vehicle. My camera and lens rested on a beanbag draped over the rolled-down window. That support helped steady the setup and kept the framing tight on the squirrel.
The vehicle also gave me a low, stable angle without stepping into the squirrel’s space. I could watch the behavior and wait for the right pause.
Camera and exposure details:
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
- Mode: Manual
- Aperture: f/8
- Shutter Speed: 1/3200
- ISO: 1000, Auto
- Focal Length: 500 mm
- Location: Wasatch Mountains, Utah
- Date and Time: June 2, 2022, 9:46 A.M.
This was not a dramatic wildlife scene. It was better than that in its own quiet way.
The squirrel was simply doing what it needed to do, feeding in the grass and keeping watch. That natural behavior made the photo feel honest.
I enjoy chances like this because they remind me to slow down. Even a small ground squirrel beside the road can offer a strong wildlife moment when I pay attention.