Sunday 31 May 2009

One of Those Days (2)





The photographer commented that the larger billy above was about to try to ram the cougar off,and ended up with a paw in the face. It was close but the goats dug in (up), and the lion gave up, disappearing into junipers and mountain laurel.


Photo Credit: eyeinthewild.com CC=nc-nd-flickr.

15 comments:

Ruahines said...

Kia ora Barbara,
Wow, what an amazing photo, the unfolding of nature caught on camera. I could stare at this for hours.
Cheers,
Robb

David Cranmer said...

Extraordinary wildlife shot-I'm rooting for the Billys!

laughingwolf said...

are mountain goats as smelly as their domesticated cousins?

Barbara Martin said...

Robb, it is certainly a fantastic photo. On Flickr there are other photographs associated with this encounter which I was unable to post due to lack of permission.

David, the mountain goats in this photo got to live longer lives.

Tony, they may be with their thick woolly coats, though domesticated goats have no more odour than other farm animals when kept in clean conditions. I find goat meat quite tasty.

Teresa said...

WOW!! This photo is stupendous. I'm so glad the cougar gave up! (I, too, like goat meat stew, but I'm not sure about mountain goat meat...)

Diane AZ said...

Amazing photo. It makes me think about how little humans actually see of what goes on in nature.

Charles Gramlich said...

I think I'd have found a better place to climb up and get above my prey.

Steve Malley said...

One of those days, indeed!

Shelley Munro said...

Wow, what a great photo, Barbara. I wonder if the cougar was an inexperienced hunter?

Barbara Martin said...

Teresa, wild meat (elk and deer) has a different taste to it because of the plants they eat. Even domesticated animals that are slaughtered for human consumption taste differently if they are allowed to roam in large fields with weeds infused into the grass.

Diane, the wild is not much different than the corporate world: protect yourself from predators.

Charles, in the first series of photos the lion was above the goats but they moved, and the one above circled around.

Barbara Martin said...

Steve, I thought the title fit.

Shelley, it's a case of circumstances. Two goats with horns and hooves going after a lion tends to change the status quo.

Unknown said...

That's a stunning wildlife moment captured on camera Barbara. WOW

laughingwolf said...

nannies tend to stay clean and not smell too badly, unlike the billies

as for the meat, i quite agree...

Reb said...

Stunning photo Barbara and great caption!

Dina said...

Wow, you have one great post after another here!
Not sure I'd be brave enough to hike in your wilderness.