Photos of red squirrel soaring through the air like Superman

By Lauren Beavis

Fun photographs capture a red squirrel flying through the air - like Superman.

Peter Wilkinson, 60, took the photos on a 'very cold morning at Argaty Red Kites, near Doune, Scotland, on 3 January.

The keen wildlife photographer said: "There are a number of red squirrels there that are looked after by the team at Argaty.

"They offer a remote secluded hide to view them from and have a number of logs and columns which the squirrels like to jump between to get food.

"After observing their activity for a while I set up for a shot at them jumping between logs about two metres apart.

"The squirrels were so fast I had to guess the focal point at which they would jump through and set my camera to capture at 30 frames per second.

"Even at that speed there were not many shots with the squirrel in the frame!

"In mid-flight they looked like ‘Superman’ with their arms and legs stretched out.

"It's great to see the red squirrels healthy and playing together."

From growing up in the English Lake District amongst the rivers, woods and hills, without a camera, Peter initially started photographing sports in his youth alongside a photographer for the local newspaper.

It was during the COVID-19 lockdown when he was able to enjoy what was immediately on his doorstep.

Peter had discovered he had a real passion for photography again and the ‘challenge’ of capturing wildlife became a real goal for him.

You can view more of his work here.