Photographing wildlife can sometimes lead me to mysteries that that even Mr. Google can’t answer. After wrestling with these deep questions, I have come to the conclusion I need specialized help in solving them.
I have decided that as a reader of this blog, you are eminently qualified. So here goes …
Does this pronghorn antelope look better with the tail in or out? 
Does a snowy owl need a face to make a good photo?
Can a fox really watch me, listen to my camera and listen for sounds from a different direction all the same time?
Why would a Rocky Mountain Sheep be concentrating so hard just to whistle?
What is this black bear thinking as it’s peaking out from behind the branches?
When one hawk is checking out another one, what exactly are they looking for?
Krahnpix 
Having read all these answers to the questions and noting there is no table or pie chart summarizing the results, and noting this dates back to early 2014 so that a summary is not likely, I’m going to assume there is no need for me to answer. Above the box for comments it says: “I’d love to hear what you are thinking …”. I’m thinking that using the first two photos one might make and interesting animated gif.
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Sorry no summary. I was just doing for it fun but that’s an interesting idea as is the gif. I appreciate you checking out all these old posts.
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Hmm is anyone else having problems with the pictures on this blog loading?
I’m trying to determine if its a problem on my end or
if it’s the blog. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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They load OK for me.
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I’m not commenting – to busy giggling like a wee lassie
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Happy to hear.
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All beautiful shots! The faceless owl is a bit creepy and the sheep looks like it might be concentrating on something else. The photo that struck me most was the fox – what a beautiful portrait!
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Thanks. I was fortunate to encounter a couple of foxes last summer and thoroughly enjoyed their presence and taking the photos.
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1. Lose the tail.
2. Face is better … the eyes have it!
3. Yes, they can also juggle at the same time.
4. Sheep lips are not the same as people lips. Just sayin.
5. If I am really still, maybe he won’t see me.
6. Tail feathers … it’s all in the tail feathers!
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I enjoyed your comments so much that I somehow forgot to reply! I especially liked #5 even though it didn’t work in this case I still spotted him. And it most certainly is about the gorgeous tail feathers! Thanks for playing along.
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It begs the question – where do you get all of your ideas from? 😉 Can’t say I have ever thought about what hawks see in each other. And – you can definitely have a great shot, face or no face.
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Glad you like the faceless owl – there’s something strangely appealing about it that I haven’t quite figured out. I wish I knew exactly where ideas (or in your case poems) came from – I would definitely tap it more often!
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Now that one keeps you reading! I love that bighorn shot! Tail in for sure; Needs a face; Of course a fox can do all 3; He’s concentrating on something else; So that’s what I’m smelling; Hmm, nice tailfeathers.
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I’m happy I was able to amuse you enough to keep reading. Thanks for playing along with your responses. Definitely great tail feathers.
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1. I think the retractable tail is part of an options package, and the antelope is equally delightful tucked or extended.
2. The owl photograph is so very engaging first, because it makes us curious: What is the owl curious about? What is it looking at? And second, with the huge-eyed face turned away, for once we focus on what is normally overlooked: That snowy V pointing down to those beautiful flecked chest feathers and the darker daubed wing feathers adjacent.
3. Haven’t you yet discovered why that fox was staring at you so intently? While fox A was hypnotically drawing your attention (ever seen “Wolfen”?) and listening closely for his cue to leave, foxes B and C were sneaking behind your truck and padding silently away with your lunch items held fast in their teeth.
4. Ahh. That sheep is concentrating so hard because he is NOT whistling–he is attempting to learn how to yodel. And as a friend of a Bavarian who has tried to teach ME, it does not surprise me that the sheep must focus all its faculties on the task at hoof.
Re: 5 and 6, others’ answers made me laugh. Have nothing to add.
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OK those are fantastic and creative answers. The options package? I could never have thot of that! I’m happy you also see the beauty in facelessness. There is so much of the owl to love and be amazed by! Never underestimate the fox’s capacity for diversion is an excellent point. Yodelling eh? That’s definitely a new one. Thanks for spending the time one these – wonderful stuff.
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Very good photographs!
#1. That pronghorn antelope looks better without tail.
# 2. No, it doesn’t!
#3. The fox can watch you, listen you and your camera but can also be attentive to other kind of sounds.
#4. Don’t know what to say about that Rocky Mountain.
#5. The black bear “Oh dear, that photographer is still there. Can’t believe this!? I told him my fur isn’t looking great… ”
#6. When one hawk is checking out another one, he is looking for some broken feathers, pieces of gray fur and some dust. But I think those hawks have some problems with their GFPS (Global Flying Position System) and they are looking for a solution.
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Glad you enjoyed the photos. Good answers to my crazy questions. I was particularly amused by the the bear and hawk responses. I’ll have to remember the GFPS!
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I was out in the country side today and just as I went around the house a hawk came down and grabbed a squiril. It saw me and wa ited a bit but and then flew off and dropped its cargo. I was told by nei ghbor that the hawk would not return to get the squiril it dropped. But after a few hours I just happened to look and there was the hawk again and it looked over at me but this time did not fly away but continued securing its grip and then succeeded in carrying away its food. It was really quite an amazing experience. It looked like the birds in the last picture.
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That does sound amazing. I really like hawks – it is such a treat to be able watch and photograph them.
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In, yes, yes (my favourite photo), to get the photographers attention, “careful mate, you’re making me look similar to a feral pig”, long lenses.
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Thanks for playing along! Yes I did notice that odd resemblance to a feral pig – not quite sure how that happened.
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What a beautiful collection, Lyle. While I love them all, my personal faves are the pronghorn antelope (I like them both, maybe the one with the tail tucked in a wee bit better) and the black bear. Great work as always!
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Glad you enjoyed my somewhat eclectic group. They were all fun experiences. Thanks so much.
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#1 Antelope: No tail
#2 Snowy Owl: They have amazing faces, better with a face
#3 Fox: Yes. Foxes are quite versatile and excellent multi taskers
#4 R M Sheep: Because he is thinking…Hey, I gotta be me
#5 Bear: I wonder if that guy has any snacks? A candy bar would be nice.
#6 Hawks: How could this guy have more kills then me this week? How?
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I love it. You know the bear is thinking about snacks all the time just like me. The jealous hawk was nicely played and very funny! I wouldn’t have thot of that one. Thanks for the great responses.
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The bear is thinking he’d like your bowl of porridge!
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That’s exactly right! I think that think about food all the time based on their actions.
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Wow. The photos speak for themselves, such an eclectic group of oddities. The first thing that came to mind when I saw the hawks, is that the one looking at the tail feathers is wondering if the feathers have been “enhanced,” since they seem unusually long (the hawk equivalent of breast augmentation). He may also be wondering how much it cost. Did she get a wholesale discount or did she have to pay re-tail prices?
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Eclectic is a great word for that bunch otherwise there’s nothing connecting them! I love those hawk feathers and they are long. Accusing her of getting feather extensions is hilarious! Feather envy is bound to be the new thing.
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I can’t beat any of the previous comments (should get to your posts sooner, I ‘spose)… but the sheep has that look my little poodles gets when she breaks “wind”…. sort of a “Did that come out of me???” look.
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Those sheep eyes are telling quite the story – and I’m sure it’s claiming full innocence of all charges. I’m sure you must have just heard things with your poodle too:)
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1. I like it better without the tail (I love Pronghorns by the way – used to see them in New Mexico on the way to the mountains as a kid and it was the first sign we were going somewhere interesting.)
2. No. This is a funny photo of a faceless owl
3. Yes. Foxes are awesome. (nice shot by the way)
4. I just saw that someone commented “because his horns don’t work.” can’t beat that one
5. Why do I have claws and sharp teeth? Must I eat berries and roots all day? That guy with the camera looks delicious.
6. She looks like a gold digger, probably wondering about his income level
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Great stuff. It’s interesting how we make associations with things like pronghorns that bring back strong memories. Each of these photos does that for me especially the fox which was a magical encounter. Thanks for the funny vote on the snowy owl – I smile every time I look at it. I love the gold digger comment the best. Nicely done all around.
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I love all your blogs, but this is one of the most amusing. The faceless owl is a hoot. And that bear peering thoughtfully out – was he wondering about photographer for dinner? Your wilderness is so amazing compared with our New Zealand forests.
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I’m pleased and surprised you love all my blogs since I feel like I’m swinging in the wind sometimes:) I’m glad you found in the humour in this one – I wasn’t sure if anyone would like that faceless owl but hoot is definitely the right word. The bear certainly gave me a great look. I am quite pleased that the Canadian gov’ts have set aside national parks over the years to enjoy the natural surroundings. It’s not perfect, and there are compromises, but I get to go to some wonderful places and for that I am thankful.
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Your posts brighten my day 🙂 I also agree with Mark he nailed it!
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Happy to hear that! Mark is becoming quite popular!
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All wonderful and in any pose, but I do like tail in.
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That tail did make me laugh and wonder what I was going to do with it – had to sneak it in! Animals can show us some wonderful and crazy looks – it’s a lot of fun to capture them. Glad you liked them.
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Well played! Great photos all, love (!!) the fox!
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Thanks. I have often amused myself with trying come with some common theme in a group – this one was fun stretch. My cute fox thanks you for the accolades.
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Hahaha great! I love the fox. ❤ And the bear! I love all of them really. Here are my answers: Tail out, just because it kind of looks funny. No, that photo of the snowy owl is awesome. Yes, foxes are the best! Because it's hard for him to whistle. He's thinking "I do see you there." Beautiful tail feathers.
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Glad you enjoyed this one. Those fox and bear photos are pretty special to me as I remember the experiences. The fox walked right up beside the truck and looked into my lens – how cool is that? Great responses – I think you’re the only one to go with tail out – it’s just so odd, I had to find a way to post it and that crazy headless owl. And the bear most definitely did see me! Not much beats hawk’s tail feathers. Thanks for playing along.
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Ahhhhhh…you make me laugh! Great images. I would say tail in, face on owl, yes the fox can multi-task (because she’s female – haha), whistling takes quite a bit of concentration (according to my 6 year old), the bear thinks he’s found his dinner, and the hawks…well, I’m no expert, but by the looks of it he’s checking out her feathers! 😉 Enjoy the day!
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Making you laugh is most excellent! I loved your responses. I just had a flashback remembering how hard it was to learn to whistle and I never did figure out the loud fingers-in-your-mouth whistle. I would have never thot of that. You have a great day too!
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Wonderful!
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Thanks.
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I agree with Mark too…but brilliant images all!
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Glad you enjoyed them. I wasn’t quite sure what to do with this eclectic bunch so I decided to have a little fun with them. Mark was right.
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Great photos! I agree with Mark’s answers!
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Thanks. Mark is typically right!
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Excellent pictures. I especially like the fox.
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Thanks. That fox walked right up beside the truck – it was a magical moment that had me scrambling.
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Sorry, I’m as flummoxed as you are on all counts, but the fox pic is gorgeous and so is that bear 🙂
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Yes wildlife can be a confusing lot! Glad you enjoyed the fox and bear – those are both special memories for me.
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Great shots as ever Lyle. I’ll get the ball rolling then!
1. Definitely lose the tail!
2, Not always – in the case of this shot, I think yes.
3. Yes, because they’re sly!
4. Because his horns don’t work!
5. Lunch!
6. Sense of humour and a gentle claws
🙂
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Great post, wonderful photos and I agree with Mark! 🙂
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Thanks Hanne. I find it’s safe to agree with Mark on most things.
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You’re too kind! 🙂
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Hahaha!! 🙂 You’re right!
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Mark – those answers are better than I could have possibly imagined! I especially like the bear thinking about lunch. Great response.
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Thanks 🙂 Invoice in the post!
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Tail in, owl face, and love the sheep!
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Thanks for the help! I thot the expression in the sheep’s eye was priceless. Wildlife can provide so many interesting, unusual looks.
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