Spotlight Squirrel

An Indian palm squirrel feeds on a tree stump under a single shaft of light, its striped back glowing against pure black. Dramatic low-key lighting turns a common garden animal into a stage performer. Fun fact: These squirrels are astonishingly vocal — a rapid, bird-like "chip-chip-chip" scolding call, tail flicking in time, is their all-purpose alarm against cats, hawks and photographers alike.