Some Sierran Chipmunks 



411 



Golden-mantled Ground-squirrel, where a slight shifting from 

 his accustomed post has thrown the subject somewhat out of 

 focus. 



A shutter of the compound type is preferable, as it is com- 

 paratively quiet and does not frighten the nervous animals as 

 does the noisy focal-plane shutter. One advantage of the 

 compound type over the common automatic shutter is the fact 

 that the former requires setting for each exposure, and thus 

 obviates double exposure, when the shutter is released from a 

 distance by means of a thread. 



Double-coated plates are preferable, in the writer's experi- 

 ence, since their excellent rendering of color values more than 

 offsets the disadvantage of their lack of speed. Both Standard 

 Orthonon and Cramer's Instantaneous Isochromatic were 

 found to be satisfactory, and were preferred to speedy film 

 packs, which latter refused to operate at critical moments on 

 several occasions. 



A changing-bag makes daylight loading and unloading of 

 plates an easy matter. This article, together with a developing 

 tank with the usual appurtenances, makes it possible to develop 

 negatives on the spot, thus enabling one to replace faulty ex- 

 posures before it is too late. As a "safety first" measure this 

 outfit has proved its worth on several occasions. A short 

 sturdy tripod with tilting top, focusing-cloth, exposure meter, 

 thermometer, plate-drying rack, and spool of linen thread com- 

 plete the list of accessories. 



Given a suitable camera and equipment, the next thing is to 

 find the animals to photograph. Chipmunks, squirrels, and 

 birds are often attracted to camp by the refuse thrown out. 

 They thus become accustomed to the presence of human be- 

 ings, and consequently afford good opportunities for the pho- 

 tographer. A little watching will show certain stubs, stumps, 

 and rocks to be used as points of vantage or as feeding stations 

 by the animals just mentioned. The photographer is thus often 

 able to select a suitable location where light, composition, and 

 background are satisfactory. The camera may then be placed 

 on the tripod and focused upon the exact spot where the ani- 

 mal to be photographed is likely to pause. Care should be 

 taken not to focus on the bark of a tree trunk selected, but on 



