“Kids, animals and old people” my old photo editor once told me, “make for pictures that people just love. Our readers can’t get enough.”
So when I saw this picture – which includes both breathtaking scenery and a small, furry animal – I had to run it.
The story on the Intertubes is that the squirrel jumped into the backpackers’ self-portrait, though the Underground doesn’t buy that story for a minute.
Any fool can see the hikers are messing up the squirrel’s self-portrait, and it’s just this kind of species-centric thinking that’s gotten humanity into the mess we’re in.
See, the Underground is willing to pose the tough questions others won’t.
We bloviate, you decide.
UPDATE: Everybody’s trying to jump on the squirrel portrait publicity wagon. Remember, you saw it here first.
Love it! Did a technical analysis of what makes it so good on my technical photography blog. Really, there are some technical aspects to what the squirrel did here!
shannon(Quote)
Note how the squirrel is in focus and the hikers are not. Humanity gone afowl!
Loon(Quote)
Planters commercial? hahahaah
Benjamin Rioux(Quote)
Notice how the angle of the sun on both the scenery and squirrel are at 27.4 degrees, yet the angle of the sun on the two people is at 31 degree and more to the front. Clearly, the humans took a perfectly good squirrel self portrait and Photoshopped themselves in. Will people stop at nothing?
Smarter and Better Looking Brother(Quote)
Just another instance of Mother Nature turning on us. We’re doomed!
Don(Quote)
squirrel is in focus and the hikers are not
Yup. That’s what makes it – the focus changed.
shannon(Quote)
now that’s wild art…
eric(Quote)
Its real guys. Focus doesn’t matter-high end cameras in a portrait or closeup mode are set to focus on foreground images and blur background images. It’s real. Trust me-I know the couple, Jim & Sandy Demerson and they said the squirrel jumped up there and then nibbled on Jim’s ball sack.
jon(Quote)
The question isn’t whether the pic’s real. The concern here is whether – as bona fide wildlife advocates – we should condemn those homo sapiens who so cavalierly thrust themselves into the self-portraits being taken by our furry cousins.
Frankly, I’m shocked (shocked!) that these backpackers would mar an otherwise benign squirrel self portrait. They should hang their heads in shame.
I say “Let the squirrels create their art free of artistic repression!”
Tom Chandler(Quote)
Maybe I’m rabid and/or overly technical but that looks like a marmot not a squirrel.
andy marx(Quote)
Foundation?
Chris Raine(Quote)
Obviously the squirrel lured those hapless backpackers into the viewfinder. Most probably with Skittles judging from their goofy grins. Don’t you know the squirrel and his family are rolling with mirth at these poor slobs who can invent a Hummer yet insist on hiking to an alpine lake for a confection?
frogmorton(Quote)
Cool Picture!
Eduardo Sanchez(Quote)
I always thought of Marmots as adhering to a more pop art sensibility – more Warhol than Ansel. I’d expect to see a soup can here.
You humans. Always blaming the other species.
Tom Chandler(Quote)
Chris objected for lack of foundation. So here you go:
Myself and a girlfriend were “cozying up” at Cathedral Lake above Tuolumne Meadows when that guy’s twin brother decided to join in. My less than fully clad girlfriend freaked and ran. I picked up the clothes and followed as did the Marmot.
We passed an equally engaged couple on our way to the other side of the lake. A few minutes later they were screaming and running off.
When we got back to camp the ranger told us that marmot had a name (which I forget) and reputation for accosting unsuspecting hikers.
Marmots are very common in the high country of the eastern sierra where I grew up hiking so it wasn’t my first encounter (but certianly the most memorable).
Andy
andy marx(Quote)
It occurs to me that “The Amorous Marmots” might just be the Best Free Environmental Rock Band Name So Far This Week.
Tom Chandler(Quote)
I think you are all missing this………the squirrels (marmots?) were obviously on vacation themselves, the husband was taking a picture of his good lady at the lake and these rotten humans got in the picture. Just like when you’re trying to take a picture of the wife and kids at Old faithful or somewhere such and all those tourists will keep walking behindand getting in the picture.
John Mouat(Quote)
So you have made a case for renaming the beast, Marmota caligata, to Marmota caligula ! I would continue, but I’m sure I would be found out of order!
Chris
Chris Raine(Quote)
The level of discourse since I last visited this forum has progressed to the point that I simply am left with nothing to say. But I will anyway. Objections based on lack of foundation? Marmota Caligula? What about Marmota Interuptus, as one post suggested?
Kentucky Jim(Quote)
If the picture was not funny enough this line of comments takes it over the top. Romantic Marmots, squirrel supporters, wow… great read.
Smile at the small stuff right :)
Kenai Alaska Fishing Guy(Quote)