The Secret Life of Animals

<p><em>The Independent</em> has published <strong><a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/the-secret-life-of-animals-2230848.html?action=Gallery">26 nature photographs</a></strong> taken automatically by unattended cameras. There are some really good ones. Photo Number 14 is a beautifully composed shot of a jaguar walking on a path in Peru (though I could not help wishing there were not a straight tree branch at the top left of the photo that leads the eye in the wrong direction).</p>

<p>Number 15 is a black and white shot of a giraffe in Kenya who is draped around the edge of the composition rather than in it. It reminds me of a holiday snap by someone who has trouble getting their subject in the frame.</p>

<p>Number 16 is a psychological shot of a leopard who appears to be contemplating a stroll down a leafy path. And Number 10 is a blood pheasant in China walking purposefully across the frame as if late for an appointment.</p>

<p>It's a delightful set of photos that <em>The Independent</em> describes as 'candids'. But does that term not imply a subject that understands the concept of posing for the camera? On the other hand, the oryx in No.4 just might have spotted the camera and decided to hang around for a portrait.</p>

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<p>They're interesting - but I'm distracted by how many of the creatures are clearly aware of, and checking out the camera.</p>

<p>26 images to refute the notion that it is the camera that takes good pictures...<br>

Wondering how long it took that snow leopard in the first image to recover it's night vision?</p>

<p>Thanks for the link,</p>

<p>although the publisher (The Independent) is clearly ignorant of the fact that the use of the name "Smithsonian Institute" for the Smithsonian <strong>Institution</strong> drives people who work there crazy. I used to work for them (as a GS-4) at one time, so I was sensitized to this at an early age. They thought "institute" sounded like it was madhouse or something.</p>

<p>Dieter, I think the ones that work best are the ones where the person who positioned the camera chose (intentionally or otherwise) a good composition and the animal happened to be in a good position within the frame. Numbers 14 and 16 are good examples of this. I share your discomfort about the dazzled snow leopard. I'm less distracted than Matt by the animals who are aware of the camera.</p>

<p>That's an interesting story about the Smithsonian, JDM. I found it all the more amusing because, to me, "institution" has the connotation they are trying to avoid and "institute" evokes education.</p>

 

<p>The animals that were aware have probably posted the pics on their facebook pages by now :-)<br>

Many interesting pictures. Thanks for the link, Gerry.</p>