Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Guard Llama


The flock of gray geese looked so appealing that I had to pull off the road to attempt a photograph. They quickly fled the corral, not from me, but from the sudden appearance of a big, ragged llama. He zeroed in on me, climbed up the gate a bit, and bared his teeth while issuing guttural threats. The only thing between me and death, he said, was this puny gate. Intrepid City Daily Photo Blogger that I am, I retreated only after getting the shots. I am free to photograph!, I said, as I leaped back into my little truck and hurried on my way.

19 comments:

Chuck Pefley said...

Aw, he's just giving you a friendly smile and greeting :) Cheerful looking llama. They aren't carnivores, you know. Perfectly safe. Probably just wanted his chin or ears scratched.

USelaine said...

Chuck, he sounded like a alligator with a bad cold. You should have heard him!

Tell you what. You pet him first.

Jules said...

I think that llama was smitten by you and that smile and guttural moaning was his love call!!!!

Love it!!!!

Nice to be back and to catch up with you!!!!

Anonymous said...

I did not know they would do this but there he stands.

Halcyon said...

I like the story. He looks sort of like he's smiling and posing in the second photo.

Bill said...

In the second shot, it looks like he is saying "Cheeseeeeeee" :)

Marie-Noyale said...

A photo blogger life is not that smooth!!!
he just wanted his nice little teeths!!! brushed...
I would have run for my life like you did...because even if they are not carnivores, he would have to taste to know!!!

Dina said...

That is one huge scary llama.
Glad you did the Eats, shoots and leaves thing (well, not eats).
I had to work with some of these male llamas at Heifer Ranch. Tried to be nice to one by feeding him a carrot. He chewed it up and spit it in my eye.
Brave one, you are, Elaine. Good onya.

Jill said...

Elaine -- this is too cute! They can spit a good distance so it's good that didn't happen! My neighbor does llama rescue. See here http://salemdailyphoto.blogspot.com/search?q=llama

She hugs them and they love her. But they give me the wary eye as I am a stranger. We offered her part of our field to use and they are in the process of fencing it off so with them in my 'yard', maybe I'll be able to get closer. Great post!

Knoxville Girl said...

Sorry, but he looks rather satanic to me - this is where a zoom lens and a swift vehicle come in handy.

Flying Solo said...

Too funny!! hehe

Joy said...

A guard llama. How interesting. It is big, isn't it?

Many thanks for your visits to Norwich Daily Photo. I hope that you enjoy the colours of summer on my blog.

joy

dianasfaria.com said...

good story & good for you that you wouldn't back down. It's amazing how one's camera makes one brave. It's the creative impulse too,I think!

USelaine said...

Jules - If that's the look of love, I'm done with love. Nice to see you back!

Abraham - I read somewhere that llamas are used to guard sheep in the mountains because they are aggressive protectors against mountain lions. They must be fearless.

Halcyon and Bill - When I looked at the photo on my computer, I thought people would think that. Notice, if you will, the flattened back ears.

Marie-noyale and Dina - These blogs will lead us to places we otherwise wouldn't go to. We need measures of bravery and prudence.

Jill - My guess is that llamas can be as variable as dogs. Some are aggressive guards, some are as gentle as lambs.

KG - My feelings exactly!

Coco Cutie and Joy - He was big, all right, and cute in a "Night of the Living Dead" sort of way. Zombies!

Lily H. - Good thing the camera has a longer reach than the feet.

Petrea Burchard said...

What an excellent shot of his evil grin, and a delightful description to go with it. I'm so glad you're safe. Be careful out there!

Louis la Vache said...

....Baring his teeth and rushing for the gate, he mistook Eliane for the dentist he was hoping would give him that much-needed root canal! Alas, it was not to be!.......

Jane Hards Photography said...

What an evil looking llama. Great capture though.

Janet Kincaid said...

That's one serious lookin' llama. I'd definitely stand back!

Benjamin Madison said...

That is one baaaaad llama. Reminds me of that movie about the mutant killer sheep.