Red squirrel seen flying through the air ‘like Superman’ at Scottish farm
By Lauren Beavis, Ryan Carroll
An extraordinary moment was captured at a farm near Stirling when a red squirrel was seen flying through the air resembling ‘Superman.’ The stunning photographs were taken by Peter Wilkinson, a wildlife photographer, on a chilly morning at Argaty Red Kites on January 3. Argaty Red Kites is a picturesque upland livestock farm located near Doune, where red kites glide through the skies and red squirrels dart through the trees.
Peter explained that the team at Argaty looks after a number of red squirrels, providing a secluded hide for viewing and various logs and columns for the squirrels to leap between in search of food. Describing the action, Peter said, “After observing their activity for a while, I set up to capture shots of them jumping between logs about two metres apart. The squirrels were incredibly fast, requiring me to anticipate their jumps and set my camera to capture at 30 frames per second. Even at that speed, there were few shots with the squirrel in the frame!”
“In mid-flight, they looked like ‘Superman’ with their arms and legs outstretched. It’s heartwarming to see the red squirrels thriving and enjoying playtime together,” Peter added. Growing up surrounded by nature in the English Lake District, Peter’s passion for photography was reignited during the lockdown, leading him to focus on capturing wildlife in its natural habitat.
The captivating images of the red squirrel in flight have garnered admiration for Peter’s skill in capturing such a fleeting moment. His dedication to photographing wildlife has brought joy to many who appreciate the beauty of nature. To view more of Peter’s work, click here.
In summary, Peter Wilkinson’s remarkable photographs of a red squirrel soaring through the air at Argaty Red Kites farm near Stirling have captured the playful and agile nature of these beloved creatures in their natural habitat. The images depict a moment of pure joy and freedom, showcasing the beauty and grace of wildlife in its element.