Story
Yes—this is a real squirrel.
And yes, I really was this close.
This photograph dates back to 1993, during a brief transitional period in my life. I had some time between work and starting graduate school, and I found myself with long stretches of open days—time to explore, observe, and, of course, photograph.
Somewhere along the way, I discovered a spot near the entrance to University of California, Berkeley where squirrels gathers.
They were used to people.
Not exactly tame—but comfortable enough to come close.
I started bringing food.
Over time, they became bolder. They would approach without hesitation, take food directly from my hand, and sometimes linger—waiting for the next offering. It became a kind of quiet exchange: I provided the snacks, and they allowed me to get closer than I ever thought possible.
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