Ovis aries: Cliffhanging
Christian, Judean and Islamic scripts are all overflown with references to these creatures, which have historically symbolised sacrifice and victimhood of the i...
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Christian, Judean and Islamic scripts are all overflown with references to these creatures, which have historically symbolised sacrifice and victimhood of the innocent. More recently, they have become a byword for conformism, stupidity and naivety, all of which are wrong: zoologists specialising in their behavioural traits will pooh pooh such notions. Sheep are anything but dim and possess a memory comparable to that of an elephant. Once they have looked at you, they will remember your face for up to two years.
Bravery surely must be one of their attributes, judging by their James Bond stunts they are trying to pull right on the edge of the cliff. I’d love to know how they do it but, unlike them, I am a pussy and afraid that if I inch any more forward to look down, I will be turning pale and bidding farewell to my lunch. I have been watching them for the last few minutes and I have even thought about whether they are suicidal or not. I have to defer my verdict on this one, as evidence at this point is woolly...
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Bravery surely must be one of their attributes, judging by their James Bond stunts they are trying to pull right on the edge of the cliff. I’d love to know how they do it but, unlike them, I am a pussy and afraid that if I inch any more forward to look down, I will be turning pale and bidding farewell to my lunch. I have been watching them for the last few minutes and I have even thought about whether they are suicidal or not. I have to defer my verdict on this one, as evidence at this point is woolly...
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Nov, 2018Views
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Awards
Peer Award
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Absolute Masterpiece
All Star
Magnificent Capture
Outstanding Creativity
Virtuoso
Superior Skill
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Trotts
November 24, 2018
Sheep certainly are not dumb creatures. I a previous life, I grew up on a farm so I think I can say that with some authority. When I first saw your photo I thought Mick must be in New Zealand ????????????????
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Linda49
November 25, 2018
Intriguing image Mick. They look very undecided and a little confused. If you had waited longer you could have taken home a couple of roasts and several lamb shanks. LOL!! Down under we would never have let them keep those tails.
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Daisy00
November 25, 2018
This looks so lovely and peaceful, Mick! The B/W add that special touch to this image....Excelente!!!!
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MicktheGreek
November 25, 2018
Thanks Daisy! The reason I choose B/W over colour in this case is to reflect the overall mood of the scene, dictated mainly by the "silence of the lambs". Looking at their faces, they appear to be rather solemn and anything but frolicsome.
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AnneDphotography
November 25, 2018
awesome shot Mick … I didn't know they could be so interesting … thank you for the read :)
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MicktheGreek
November 26, 2018
Cheers Anne! If you live in our lands, you know everything about them. In certain parts, they are everywhere.
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Pauldc1
November 28, 2018
Just another sensational capture. You make it look so easy to shoot this type of photography. You have a great gift my friend.
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MicktheGreek
November 28, 2018
Thanks Paul! The only gift in photography is patience, which I seem to possess in abundance. It is a miracle, because in any other aspect of life it is amongst the virtues I lack (my work colleagues would definitely agree). Having the patience to stalk the grazers paid off in this case.
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MicktheGreek
December 01, 2018
Thank you Marilena! After a few hours' drizzle the weather cleared in the evening and magical views unfolded.
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MicktheGreek
December 07, 2018
Cheers Steve! It is the mood evident on the sheep's faces that called for a B/W edit...
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lizziemellis
January 03, 2019
Wonderful capture and enjoyed the write up, my Grandfather, and Uncle where sheep farmers in the Shropshire hills I remember them telling me that they are able to graze on cliff edges due to their impressive peripheral vision, of being able to see behind them without moving their heads..another interesting fact they keep up their wolly sleeves:-)
wideopenspaces
January 05, 2019
Love this picture. Maybe because it brings back memories and stories that my father told me about his father.
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MicktheGreek
January 05, 2019
Thanks Alex! This is a familiar scene in these lands which this species abound.
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