PAY ATTENTION!!!
PAY ATTENTION!!! belongs to the following groups:
AMERICA's National Parks and WILDLIFE Habitat, Animal Kingdom, Former DPF Members, Mother Nature's Finest, Pacific Northwest and United States
This isn’t the greatest photograph I’ve taken, there’s a lot of motion blur but I’ve posted it more to tell a story than as a good photographic image. I have been around 4 legged animals all my life, being fortunate to have worked as a ranch hand, in the State Forest as a forest warden and as a keeper in a zoo. I have worked with a range of animals from penguins to polar bears to elephants and have studied their language intently.
If you will look at this bear closely you will notice that he is giving clues that he is becoming agitated and is trying to get away from the cause of that agitation (us tourists). I have posted a couple other images of this bear and you will notice that in those images the bear’s lips are held loosely, ears are up, eyes are open wide and his back and shoulders are flat—he looks calm. In this image the bear’s lips are held tight, ears are back, eyes are intent and focused, shoulders are hunched and back bowed—he is not a happy camper. Most 4 legged animals do not like to confront humans and will do all they can to avoid us but if pressed they will defend themselves in the only way they know how. Just after taking this shot I had to grab a young lady that was intent on getting closer to this bear, she had no clue that this was a wild animal and would defend itself. She seemed amazed when I told her that if she pressed this animal that it was well within his power to kill her with one swipe of his paw.
As much as I would love to have my photographs published internationally please don’t be the subject of a journalistic image of a wild animal attacking a stupid human. When in their world listen to what they have to say—They do speak volumes just pay attention.
OK I’m off my soapbox now.
Photo captured at Paradise Lodge, Mount Rainier National Park.
Pat Lucas
I couldn’t agree more. It applies to domesticated animals as well as wild, if you learn respect for the animal and learn their body language, then it all makes for a happier household, of course domesticated animals aren’t nearly as dangerous as wild ones, but the same principle applies. I have a hormonal Cockatiel and oh boy, did I learn his language quickly. lol
Bryan Peterson replied
Thats very true Plukie, my cousin has a cockatoo that has an attitude like your cockatiel. But he is predictible, he will bite so you respect that and treat the animal accordingly.
Stzar
oh yes, ear laid back, mouth tight, looks like he feels threatened by your presence ~ caution !!
i LOVE what you have written here. Excellent work. So many people who encounter wild animals in the wilderness and National Parks have no concept of the danger they put themselves in when they approach too closely trying to get a better look or better photograph. So often, many people are not aware of the wildness of such a creature. many people are influenced by movies, childhood concepts such as teddy bears, etc and have not knowledge of the animals natural instincts and self preservation. Wonderful work Bryan !!
Bryan Peterson replied
Thanks for the comments Karon.
mwfoster
I can’t agree more. Most serious injurys at YellowStone National Park are from visitors getting gored by Bison and Elk. Just because the animals are grazing by the road does not meen to get out of cars and approch them. I had a bobcat sneek up behind my blind in a wetland that I’m working on. The big cat was as startled as I was so I put my stool on my sholders to look bigger. The cat ran off now that I was nine feet tall. I read about that in a book that smaller prediters might back off if they have a larger animal cornered.
Just thought I would share
Bryan Peterson replied
Thanks for the comments MW. Now cats are a different story (both domesticated and wild) who knows what they’re thinking! But yes in the wild size does matter thats why most animals with fur stand it up when mad or upset—to look bigger.
Stzar
i cannot imagine … try as i may… a bobcat being a serious threat on a human.
as glorious as they are, bobcats simply do no match in size and power the strength of a human, and so i find the above comment interesting.
perhaps referring to the mountain lion (cougar, puma) instead? If i am wrong, please accept my sincere apology.
Please visit this website: Yellowstone National Park
from the National Park Service
as an example of reference.
“Did You Know?”
There are more people hurt by bison than by bears each year in Yellowstone. Park regulations state that visitors must stay at least 25 yards away from bison or elk and 100 yards away from bears.
mwfoster
not to make this a forum but a 40 lbs of claws and teeth and a three wall 8×8 building with the exit is were the cat is. I would not want the bobcat to defend its self so that is why I made myself larger
Stzar
i think … mwfoster, that you are replying to my previous comment
This is a Forum ~ Bryan Peterson has so graciously posted !!
I have been in the company of and i have seen quite a few Bobcats in my lifetime ... in several States of the United States. ...., and i stand by my previous comment.
i do not understand your description of “a three wall 8×8 building with the exit is were the cat is. ” you just posted as a reply to me.
However, i will stretch my imagination and try ~
let us say you mean 8 feet by 8 feet building which still i am having trouble with comprehending …. means that this “cat” that you saw and made yourself larger against…. and base all your opinion on
was enclosed in a little room inside a building? Whether or not this is the case, ...
I ~ little Karon : )) fully mature woman that i am, still cannot fully comprehend your comment !!
That’s okay ~ I want to say to you ~ in my opinion ~
”...40 lbs of claws and teeth and a three wall 8×8 building with the exit is were the cat is. I would not want the bobcat to defend its self so that is why I made myself larger”
You mwfoster: Host of the RedBubble Group: AMERICA’s National Parks and Wildlife Habitat you have rejected and challenged me on several of my submissions to the gallerys of these RedBubble Groups ... and admitted later that you have no knowledge of, and later graciously admitted some of my works into your group(s) gallery(galleries).
and United States
AND: there is NO SUCH city within these United States known as and documented as The Colony Country United States
“The Colony”
Stzar
shall we get back to the subject of Bears ~ i realize i got side-tracked there for a moment ~ This forum is about Agitation
dear Bryan Peterson
and Your Work and Study
my compliments to you for this excellent foto and thought-provoking Journal
Photo captured at Paradise Lodge, Mount Rainier National Park.
Bryan Peterson replied
Thanks Karon. My point is that we are the interlopers in the 4 legged animals world, if we don’t listen to our hosts (no matter who it is) we will suffer the consequences.