Figure 1 – Eastern chipmunk peeking out of a log, Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge, Sudbury, MA, June 14, 2016. (c) DE Wolf 2016

I’ve got to apologize for constantly posting pictures of cute and cuddly eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus). It is just that they are so photogenic and their antics so endearing. They seem to be following me as I walk through the woods – ro at least they seem oblivious to me. But when I stop and look at them they freeze. Today this one retreated to the security of the hollowed out tree, only, as expected, to pop its head out a few moments later. I suppose that there is a certain insecurity to not being at the top of the local food chain, and here they fall victim to owls, raptors, and snakes. SO I cannot blame them their nervousness. It is after all a dangerous world.

Canon T2i with EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens at 320 mm, ISO 1600, Aperture Priority AE Mode, 1/160th sec at f/7.1 with no exposure compensation.