frankosphotography
FollowI was on my tractor mowing when I spotted this field mouse at the very top of a spruce tree clinging for life. It was shaking and and I was wondering why it ran...
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I was on my tractor mowing when I spotted this field mouse at the very top of a spruce tree clinging for life. It was shaking and and I was wondering why it ran up the tree insured of just into the brush. I then noticed "Murphy" our Puggle sitting at the the base of the tree staring up at him. The mouse was about 7' off the ground and I stayed on my tractor to take the photo. Canon 7D 1-500sec @ F4.
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Awards
Action Award
Chatter Award
Zenith Award
Creative Winter Award
Curator's Selection
Top Shot Award 21
Legendary Award
2020 Choice Award
Featured
Contest Finalist in Monthly Pro Vol 18 Photo Contest
Runner Up in Up Close Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Up Close Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in ViewBug HQ Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Covers Photo Contest Vol 16
Contest Finalist in Photographer Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 4
Featured
Runner Up in Photographer Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 2
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Peer Award
Magnificent Capture
Outstanding Creativity
Superior Skill
All Star
Great Find
Jaw Dropping
One Of A Kind
Genius
Exceptional Contrast
Love it
Virtuoso
VIP Favorite
Top Ranks
SnowbunnyPhotography
May 07, 2014
Awwww....poor little guy. :-( He is cute. Hope he made it out alive. :-) Great shot....but....you mow your lawn with your camera in your hand? LOL! :-) Now THAT'S dedication to your art. LOL! :-)
michaeltillman
August 04, 2014
Look like he's just hanging on. This is a real nice close depth of field shot. Congrats on the Featured!
akhtarkhan
August 04, 2014
Cutie, cute......like its curved pose.....wonderful capture. Congrats on the feature.
Bruz
August 04, 2014
Hang on there little guy! What a story this one tells. Congrats on the feature.
juditharmstrong
August 04, 2014
I'm not normally a mouse fan but this is a really great shot. Well done.
Manjucus
August 04, 2014
Gorgeous shot of a beautiful subject, well done mate, amazing to see so many people concerned about the little guys welfare. If you didn't care you wouldn't have taken the time to photograph him.
SusiStroud
August 04, 2014
I love this shot - I sure can see how scared the little mouse is. Congratulations on your Feature.
prairiem
August 04, 2014
Great capture, very well done. It's cute but you can also sense the tension as it clings to the tree.
farlow
August 04, 2014
One of my favorite photos...like this version, great editing and post production. Congratulations on your much deserved recognition.
arizonadkins
August 06, 2014
I love this shot...makes me feel like I'm right there with him. He's adorable too.
bugsysposy
August 21, 2014
Super camera , super shot ; nice tuning in to nature / caring and sharing . Beautiful ( Oak ) tree and clouded sky reflected in his big scared eye !
chrissy2rn
August 22, 2014
Frank, this is the absolute essence of what photography is all about.... being there at the right time and capturing that moment. Congrats on the feature. Well deserved.
chrissy2rn
August 22, 2014
Ps: the narrative you included on this capture made it all the sweeter! I wish more photogs on Viewbug would follow suit. :)
MaryAnne306
September 30, 2014
What a cute little guy, hate to think of him being so scared. Great capture, amazing detail.
cmorisset
January 15, 2015
Wow what a story and what a superb shot! Congrats Frank it is simply stunning, bravo!
DanushiaDee
January 23, 2015
Amazing Clarity and Detail. So is that a mouse? I've never seen one up close and personal like this so not sure, lol. May I ask what kind of camera you used to get this shot?
Lindaspics
February 28, 2015
Well it's all been said here but I had to tell you I just love this, you feel you are touching him with your eyes.
kdkat
March 02, 2015
You carry your camera with you when you mow your lawn??? You are one dedicated photographer. This is an adorable photo. Well done. And even better that you still notice the little things while engaged otherwise. This is such a great story and shot.
shelbytaylor_1740
April 05, 2015
lol! i take my camera a lot of places but not the lawn mower.....but after seeing a shot such as this, i might! ;) great detail!
Chillbrook
June 10, 2015
This is a fabulous photograph. The subject, light, focus, it's all there. Superb!
agwinney
July 11, 2015
I have a family of mice living in one of the cupboards in my garage, every once in a while I get a chance to catch one with my camera, this is a great shot, I'm jealous!!
MrsGriffin
January 18, 2016
A wonderful shot made even richer by the story behind it. Way to go Murphy and kuddos to you. :)
clem
February 01, 2018
Wading through peoples pictures, then bam! Now that's worth looking at.
Absolutely gorgeous.
Absolutely gorgeous.
joynshannon
December 03, 2018
Love the shot, and the story. Just shows us all, honestly, keep our cameras close, eh. 😊
sydneyaldridge
May 30, 2020
That is a perfect once in a lifetime shot! Perfectly adorable, and perfectly stunning!😍❤
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo in central Michigan on the property that I have lived on for the past 30 years. We own 55 acres and have managed it primary to attract wildlife of all types.Time
It was 7:05 pm on a July day.Lighting
It was still very light out but the sun was behind the mouse and backlighting his whiskers and ear. There are pine trees about 20 yards behind the mouse with bright spots filtering through the branches.Equipment
I used my Canon EOS 7D with the Canon EF70-200 f/4L IS USM. 1/500 at f4, ISO 400. It was a hand held shot while standing on my tractor. The mouse was about 6 to 7 foot from the ground. (More about that below)Inspiration
I was actually on my tractor pulling a brush hog and spotted this mouse at eye level with me as I was passing the pine tree. I try to carry my camera when I am out back because I quite often see something to shoot. The mouse was at the very top of the tree clinging for its life. He was shaking with fear and I was trying to figure out why he would climb a tree instead of run into the brush like I normally see them do. I then noticed "Murphy" our Puggle, sitting at the base of the tree staring straight up at him. He was so cute and I kept thinking "Sometimes life is just like this and we just have to hang on and ride it out!" :) I have had many people ask so I will say it now: Yes the mouse made it out safely... As soon as I was done taking some photos, I broke Murphy's obsession with him and we left the area. :)Editing
I take RAW images and used Lightroom for processing. It was one of those photos that took very little processing. Due to the backlighting I used the "fill light" to brighten up the mouse, a little bit of vibrance and contrast. I normally use clarity but decided that I liked a "softer look" better.In my camera bag
I have a Canon 5D Mark 3 and 7D. I own 8 L series lenses but unless I am on a road trip I would normally carry the 100mm f/2.8 IS Macro, 24-105mm f/4 IS USM and one of my 70-200mm IS USM Telephoto Lenses (own the f/4 and the f/2.8 models)Feedback
I have had a passion for photography all my life. I got away from it for a few years and when I sold my business, started getting serious again when digital came to the scene. My advice is to find a piece of undeveloped land to wander around on with your camera. I am constantly amazed at the little things I discover that make interesting photos. Having my camera with me makes me slow down and look at everything around me more closely. I find that I really appreciate the beauty in nature so much more. It is like meditation for me. Earlier today I was out fishing in our pond and found a big batch of fresh toad stools that made for some really cool photos. I will be posting those soon on ViewBug! :)