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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Thirty Two: On Safari -- expressing the essence of nature > Babies make faces, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia, 2006
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10-JAN-2006

Babies make faces, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia, 2006

This baby Thornicroft's Giraffe wandered over to our vehicle and told me exactly what it thought about having its picture taken. It is an image expressing, through incongruous humor, the lighter side of the safari experience. The young giraffe had the last laugh. I did not see the tongue sticking out until I had already made the image. And I did not appreciate the potential teaching power of this image until Monique Jansen made a point to me about the power of humor to trigger the human imagination. One can spend a good amount of time just thinking about what that little giraffe must be thinking.

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Phil Douglis17-Feb-2006 23:05
Thanks, Jean and Nunes, for your comment. As for my caption and commentary, I always like to provide as much context as I can to my images. It helps me teach and others to learn.
Nunes BEIRAO - PHOTO09-Feb-2006 20:02
I really like this image, Phil, as well as all the comments you always put at the end of your images, telling us how you "felt" that precise moment!!!
Nunes
Jean Ray06-Feb-2006 02:37
This is simply a charming, adorable image that certainly makes me smile!
Phil Douglis26-Jan-2006 19:21
Good point, Diana -- the eyes are riveted on us. I looked to see if nature provides any more detail in the eyes, but its not there, so lightening them won't change much.
Phil Douglis26-Jan-2006 06:37
This is becoming one of the more popular images of this gallery, again because of the incongruity. A salute such as this from an animal is very special.
Guest 26-Jan-2006 05:21
I like this one because it is close up and personal. I like the way his eyes have direct contact with the lens. I wish his eyes were a little lighter though.
Diana
John Reed 26-Jan-2006 04:28
I like it, I like it! What a great expression you captured here.
Phil Douglis26-Jan-2006 01:21
Humor is almost always incongruous, and you know how much I value incongruity. Thanks, Carol.
Carol E Sandgren25-Jan-2006 23:58
Add me to your long list of those who get a big smile out of this funny face!
Phil Douglis25-Jan-2006 21:03
I grant you your impulse, Xin. I am sure the baby giraffe will be even more confused. Glad you like it.
Sheena Xin Liu25-Jan-2006 19:53
How adorable! This impulses me to return the same face to this creature , amusing her a little bit.
Phil Douglis25-Jan-2006 05:53
It was a good move to add this image to this gallery, LaRee. It offers a nice change of pace and mood and meaning, too.
LaRee 25-Jan-2006 05:47
You just can't look at this photo and not smile. If you are like me, it'll make you laugh.
It is just grand!
Phil Douglis25-Jan-2006 03:57
Thanks, Christine -- you raise an excellent point about the role that pictures play in anthropomorphism -- the attribution of human characteristics or behavior to animals. You are right, Walt Disney built a media empire on that concept, starting with Mickey Mouse in the 1930s and continuing right on through Narnia the Lion as we speak. You have encountered anthropomorphic comments on your own work as well. It is difficult not to fall into the trap of making pictures of animals that make us laugh or warm our heart -- I plead guilty to doing it here. Our viewers can react and relate to anthropomorphism, and if I can use it now and then to advance an idea, I will. But on Safari, I also try to keep in mind the fact that animals are animals. They are not human. They do not share our emotions or customs. For example mating lions are not romantically involved. They are instinctively compelled to reproduce their kind and they do. Lions will kill a baby giraffe such as this one in a heartbeat, because it is an easy kill. Lions will sometimes kill their own cubs, too -- because it is part of their nature. It goes against all we believe in. It is not cute or charming or heartwarming. But it is real. And I've tried to depict some of that reality here too. Animals are not people -- if we are to understand them, I think we must let them be animals first, last, and always.
Guest 25-Jan-2006 00:46
This is a great close-up; giraffes have a long grey tongue that always fascinated me. Who does not like baby animals – they usually have such cute features. It is interesting to see how we tend to give animals human intentions. Walt Disney made a fortune by portraying animals with human feelings and behaviours. Most of your pictures in this gallery have a hint of that something that makes us identify to them (affection between lions, protective maternal instinct of monkey and elephant, playfulness between lion siblings, etc.).
I had a similar experience with my own pictures recently as a friend told me that he would have liked to get to know better some of the pigs I had photographed… as if they were humans.
Christine
Phil Douglis24-Jan-2006 23:35
Glad you both got a chuckle out of the incongruity. I will send you a printable file, Mo. Thanks.
Lara S24-Jan-2006 20:39
Ha Ha. She totally stuck her tongue at you. She Showed you!!!!
monique jansen24-Jan-2006 20:38
It really does make me laugh, can you make me a print, it will help me through the boring winter months with a smile
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