Photographer follows red squirrels daily for six years: here are 30 of his best and cutest shots
Internationally acclaimed photographer Geert Weggen specialises in photographing Red squirrels. His images of the adorable little critters and their antics have been published worldwide in newspapers, books, calendars and magazines.
Geert Weggen captures delightfully candid photos of wild red squirrels being inquisitive
Geert Weggen is a Swedish/Dutch national and an internationally awarded nature photographer. He has worked extensively with wild squirrels and birds over the past several years. In 2013 he became a full time photographer, and his current focus has been on photographing wild squirrels in a unique, beautiful and often whimsical way. Scroll down to see 30 of Geert’s works featuring the adorable and inquisitive red squirrels.
Photographer Geert Weggen followed red squirrels 🐿️ daily for six years... his photos are simply amazing.
1# Wishes
The wind was just perfect for capturing this photo. Published in National Geographic, it won Photo of the Day.
2# “I followed squirrels daily for 6 years with my camera and they became my friends,”
3# Sun Head
How hard can it be to get a spirit under a flower? It is very rare. Finalist in Smithsonian and published in magazines.
4# Flower Lover
There were some seeds hidden inside the flower.
5#
6# Sunny Split
“It took me some years to capture this idea. This year I managed.”
7# Mushroom lover
(this toadstool is not poisonous to the squirrel)
8# Open wide... berry nice!
9# Nose Seed
Often the squirrels move too quickly to notice the small details during shooting. This image was published as a Swedish postcard.
10# Reach for the stars...
11# Jasmine Stand
Sometimes I take out the greens and make it grey
12# Berry Meeting
This is probably my most popular photo on my Internet Instagram account. Published in Fotosidan Magazine and Finalist in the Photocontest
13#
14#
15# Mushroom shelter
Published as Swedish postcard
16#
17# Autumn Walk
18# Shake it!
19#
20# Mushroom Dance
Published as a jigsaw puzzle 🧩 by Castorland
21#
22# Mushroom whisperer
23#
24#
25# Ice Stand
Won in National Geographic and is published in their magazine.
26#
27# Sunflower Stand
All the sunflowers in Geert’s garden are planted by the squirrels. They hide the seeds in the Earth. This is Geert’s most popular photo in 500px were about 90,000 people follow his work.
28# Late autumn
“Sometimes people send me things to use in photos with the squirrels, like this pinecone. I just shot this photo I love the light and composition.”
29#
About Geert Weggen and how he captures such amazing shots
All photos come directly out of the lens. There is no Photoshop used to bring in new elements.
Weggen built an outdoor studio near his kitchen window. Using a bit of food, usually edible seeds or nuts, to lure the squirrels, the studio allows him to capture these cute photos from the comfort of his own home.
Thanks to the various props and sets he created, Geert’s squirrels can be seen whispering to mushrooms, putting on the kettle and getting some work done in the garden.
The studio is conveniently placed one metre above the ground and connected to Geert’s kitchen window three metres away, which enables him to photograph the visiting critters at eye-level.
A partial roof allows the use of a flash and additional lighting, remotely operated, and a big reflector hanging in a nearby tree helps with the fill light.
Geert Weggen’s portfolio also includes landscapes, macro shots, interiors and people.
His work has been published in many countries, newspapers, magazines and videos.
He is the author of 8 squirrel photo books; published in 4 different languages.
“Creation and to create is my life. Love in light are my goals and my living. With my company hardeko I make my living as a builder, masonry, carpenter, photographer, garden design and artist.”
Since last year he has been organising Squirrel workshops at home. These workshops are organised to occur 2 times a year when the young squirrels arrive. A maximum of 3 participants can join this 5-day workshop.
For more photos/info: geertweggen.com | Instagram | Facebook | flickr.com
30# The photographer becomes the subject
In this photograph the tables were turned when a squirrel took photographs of Geert.
The squirrel and the photographer
Photographer Geert Weggen captures photos of wild red squirrels who investigate his camera.
Source: YouTube/GeertWeggen
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