A curious red squirrel pauses on a tree trunk, its expressive stance and fluffed tail highlighted by the morning light
Sometimes the best shots aren’t planned — they’re stumbled upon. This image came about during a casual bike ride through the woods, camera slung over my shoulder more out of habit than expectation. Then, I spotted it: a red squirrel midway down a tree trunk, frozen in a moment of curiosity. Its ears stood tall, tail arched like a plume, and it looked directly toward the lens. It was a quick shot — barely time to think, let alone prepare — but something about that posture, that alert stillness, demanded to be captured.
While this RAW file initially looked flat and cold, I saw potential to transform it into a warm winter-to-spring transition scene. My goals? Lift the snow’s subtle textures, reveal hidden details in the trees, and maintain that magical seasonal ‘in-between’ glow—where last winter’s chill gently gives way to spring’s warmth. Here’s my step-by-step edit to achieve that balance.
