Mammal field guide · Squirrels

Photographing the California Ground Squirrel

How to photograph the California Ground Squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi): the right lens for its size, shutter speeds for perched and moving animals, and when it's most often seen (March, April, May, June and July).

12–70 cm1/2000 s
12–70 cm
Typical length (family range)
1/800 s
Shutter: perched / still
1/2000 s
Shutter: action / flight
f/5.6–f/8
Aperture
61,779
Research-grade sightings in N. America
ModeManual + Auto ISOLock shutter & aperture, let ISO float
Shutter (still)1/800 s
Shutter (action)1/2000 s
Aperturef/5.6–f/8
FocusAF-C + subject/eye detectionGet down to eye level; a long lens with close focus (or an extension tube) helps with small subjects.
DriveHigh-speed burst
Lens100–400 mmFull-frame equivalent

Focal length needed to frame it#

For a subject about 41 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.

Distance⅓ of frame (FF)½ of frame (FF)⅓ of frame (APS-C)⅓ of frame (MFT)
5 m (16 ft)141 mm210 mm94 mm70 mm
10 m (33 ft)282 mm421 mm188 mm141 mm
15 m (49 ft)422 mm631 mm282 mm211 mm
20 m (66 ft)563 mm841 mm375 mm282 mm
30 m (98 ft)845 mm1,262 mm563 mm422 mm
50 m (164 ft)1,408 mm2,103 mm939 mm704 mm

When to find it#

Jan: 6% Jan Feb: 8% Feb Mar: 10% Mar Apr: 13% Apr May: 13% May Jun: 11% Jun Jul: 10% Jul Aug: 8% Aug Sep: 8% Sep Oct: 5% Oct Nov: 5% Nov Dec: 4% Dec
Share of iNaturalist observations by month across North America. Peak months: March, April, May, June and July.

About the California Ground Squirrel#

The California ground squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi), is a common and easily observed ground squirrel of the western United States and the Baja California Peninsula; it is common in Oregon and California and its range has relatively recently extended into Washington and northwestern Nevada. Formerly placed in Spermophilus, as Spermophilus beecheyi, it was reclassified in Otospermophilus in 2009 as it became clear that Spermophilus as previously defined was not a natural (monophyletic) group. A full species…

Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Field-craft tips#

  • Great subjects for learning — confiding in parks.
  • Get your lens at the animal's eye level.
  • Get down to eye level; a long lens with close focus (or an extension tube) helps with small subjects.
  • Sightings peak in March, April, May, June and July, which is when you'll have the most chances.

Ethics#

  • The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
  • Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
  • Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
  • Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.

More Squirrels#

Eastern Gray Squirrel Eastern Gray SquirrelSciurus carolinensis Eastern Fox Squirrel Eastern Fox SquirrelSciurus niger Eastern Chipmunk Eastern ChipmunkTamias striatus American Red Squirrel American Red SquirrelTamiasciurus hudsonicus Groundhog GroundhogMarmota monax Rock Squirrel Rock SquirrelOtospermophilus variegatus Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel Common Golden-mantled Ground SquirrelCallospermophilus lateralis Yellow-bellied Marmot Yellow-bellied MarmotMarmota flaviventris

Frequently asked questions#

What lens do I need to photograph a California Ground Squirrel?

At about 41 cm long, a california ground squirrel fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 282 mm, or at 20 m with 563 mm.

What shutter speed should I use for a California Ground Squirrel?

1/800 s when it's still; 1/2000 s for action.

When is the best time to photograph a California Ground Squirrel?

Observations in North America peak in March, April, May, June and July. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.

Sources & licences#

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources