BACKWOODS NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY
Lenny Gorski

Although I took this photograph, I am not sure if the squirrel was taking or leaving a penny. Maybe it was just counting them?

The local black squirrel population is now up to four distinct individuals that we counted in this one neighborhood in Clinton. The total number is likely higher. 

    Similar to deer and how piebald, albino or melanistic animals are produced gray squirrels have two genes of color, one from each parent.

A gray squirrel of normal color will have two genes of gray pigment. 

   Black squirrels have either one or two black pigment genes. If a black squirrel has two copies of the black gene

(one from each parent) it will be jet black. If it has one black gene and one gray gene it will be brown-black. 

The squirrels of this immediate area have three color variations. The standard gray squirrel coloring, a black / brown coat which is predominately black with some brown or brown highlights and the jet black color which is primarily all black. As interbreeding occurs, more brown blacks and all black squirrels will be the result. With a good acorn crop in our area this fall (2025) and if the winter is mild, the outlook for this colorful population is good. I hope they thrive and spread throughout the region.  Other factors like raptor predation and vehicle strikes will effect them as well. 

Mom giving one of her young a bath. She groomed it all over for about 15 minutes. It tried to nurse at times but she tried to keep control of its cleaning. Ive been watching them for a few days and the love and bond she shows with this individual is strong. I have not seen other young and she may have had a smaller litter and even just one or two is not out of the question. At roughly eight or nine weeks old, it was not to thrilled about all this attention and was squirming quit a bit. For a while mom held it down with one of her paws firm, yet so gentle. 

We first became aware of her youngster when she visited us while we were having morning coffee on our deck.  As the juvenile slowly crawled around the big oak next to us, exploring and just looking real cute, mom was intently watching us, staring to gauge our reaction.  In fact, we saw mom first and the way she was looking at us I knew something was up and then Dee saw the baby a couple seconds later. It was as if she brought it for us to see. :)

A black or melanistic gray squirrel. Clinton CT.

Not a distinct species but a color variation of the common gray squirrel. Caused by a defective gene that produces an overproduction of the pigment melanin responsible for the dark color.

These guys can be localized and I have seen them in a couple different spots in Clinton over the last decade. Guilford CT near the town green for years had some as well. The overall amount of black squirrels in the eastern gray squirrel population is about 1% so fairly rare however in some localized areas they can be more numerous. 

This guy was super focused on eating and burying red oak acorns.

Gray Squirrel starting to eat a fresh pine cone.  Our Gray squirrel's reside from Canada to Florida. Its population can fluctuate in large part with the acorn crop in the fall.  In cold winter weather, they survive by taking shelter in tree cavity's. 

Chasing, rolling, nipping, jumping. So much to do!

Red Fox kit pauses to look at something with mom ever watchful in the background. Mom has a mane with longer hairs around her face and is lighter in color. She deserves a break with all the hunting having to provide meals for four hungry, growing kits. 

Red Fox Kit. It truly is a blessing to have these guys close to us. 

May

Red Fox kits are curious and learning now. This little guy has been nursed and on solid food, mostly supplied by it's parents for weeks now. 

Two of a group of four. Chasing, pulling ears, playful biting. They don't know it but they are learning life skills that will help them when they strike out on there own. Right now its mostly fun, games and exploring!

Gray Squirrel in Oak Tree natural cavity

September fawns in CT. 

Clinton

Mink, Male

On the beach, early AM after a night of hunting

June in SC

Chipmunk

On a stone wall during a hot, September afternoon 

Cottontail

USFWS Stewart McKinney Wildlife Refuge, Westbrook CT. August

Beaver

Summer in CT

Doe in the Springtime woods

Lake Saltonstall Branford CT

BOND

Beaver 

Keeping an eye on me

~ Thirsty ~

Red Squirrel 

Fall in Maine

                                               Mink!

While photographing Waterfowl this little guy stuck his head in and out of his rock hide to see what I was up to. 

Winter in Connecticut

                                                     ~Boss~

                                 Whitetail Buck in CT woods

A Whitetail Deer's sense of smell is thousands of times better than a human. Combined with their excellent hearing and sight, it is a wonder hunters ever harvest any at all! A mature buck, like the one pictured here, is a level above other deer in his ability to sense and avoid danger. Like an extra sense, I believe it is experience. He has lived long enough and is able to remember past events and learns from them.

Coyote

Prime fall fur

~ Focus ~

Eastern Coyote Adult

Fall - Connecticut

~ Squirrel Searching ~

Eastern Coyote

Prime fall fur

CT

Red Fox

Summer in Connecticut  

What time is it Mr. fox?

Even in its summer fur which is thin and sparse compared to the thick, luxurious fur of winter, the Red fox is still a photo worthy subject. They are super busy this time of year hunting trying to feed all their pups from spring. Here one pauses for a few seconds on one of those missions.

   ~ Alert ~

Whitetail Doe

Fall - Maine.

 ~ I See You ~

Red Squirrel

Maine

Cottontail Rabbit

Summer in CT

Relaxing but always alert

 ~ First Light ~

Whitetail Doe

Fall - CT

~ Looking ~

CT Doe

~ Baby Face ~

Red Squirrel

Fall - Maine

Whitetail Deer Doe

Summer in CT

Hammonasset Sate Park

Whitetail Doe

Fall - Maine

   ~Profile~

Whitetail in CT.

Fall Season

Whitetail Buck 11 point

November Connecticut

Note the small 1.5” brow antler on his forehead

Adult River Otter - Cocaponsett State Forrest

Otters can dive 60 feet deep, stay submerged for up to four minutes and catch a swimming trout. They are truly a wonder of Creation. The largest member of the weasel family, they can have a home range of sometimes 50 miles. These particular Otters have taken up residence in a beaver lodge and have been in this pond system for several days. I noticed them driving by on a Friday. I went back to scout from a distance on Saturday and took these photos on Monday and Tuesday. Here, The Otter is dining on a Sunfish which they catch fairly easily. 

River Otter- Connecticut CSF

Up to 50” long and 12 - 25 pounds.