Lens-Artists Challenge #248 – Mood

“Sometimes, we are sad but we really don’t know why we are sad, so we say we aren’t sad but we really are.”

Mark Haddon

This week Sofia has challenged us to share images that express moods in our photography. While I know it may be quite different than her original intent, I decided to share some images I made last week during a visit to a local “goatery”. It was great fun being out among the baby goats, most of them just days or a few weeks old. Like humans I found them to be quite expressive in the way they showed their moods. For example, the little fellow in the image above looked quite sad, while the one below seemed curious and inquisitive, if a bit shy.

Here’s Looking at YOU Kid

“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.”

Albert Einstein

Some of the goats had already established their place as “king of the hill” / “leader of the pack” / “top dog” (or in this case, top goat!). The little one below seemed to have decreed him or herself as exactly that.

Top Goat

“Leaders emerge, they cannot be recruited.”

Haresh Sippy

Anthropomorphism is defined as assigning human traits and emotions to non-humans. But who, I ask, SAYS that non-humans do not have emotions and moods?! It’s been shown that animals communicate, care for their young, form packs which in turn have leaders, and have emotions that in many cases are every bit as strong as our own. Why then, should we assume they don’t have as many moods as we do?! These adorable little goats were as playful and fun as any children I’ve known – jostling for position and continually engaging in games that any parent would recognize. Not unlike human babies, they seemed to be constantly hungry. Interestingly it seemed they didn’t care if the source of their milk was their own mother or any female in the vicinity with a reasonable supply!

Hungry

“Nourishment comes in many forms. So does happiness.”

Ranjani Rao

Of course since the goatery shares its home with a number of other farm animals, we were entertained by them as well. For example, there were quite a few chickens as the farm has a large egg business. This one seemed particularly proud of her work. I learned that the red comb typically denotes that the chicken is in “lay”.

Proud

I used the image in a birthday card I sent to a good friend. I wished her an “egg-cellent” birthday. She replied with a much more clever caption “You mean I have to pack them TOO?!” LOL, wish I’d thought of that!

Can you guess the caption of the next image?

Sheepish

“Actually, I’m an excellent liar. But what I’m really good at is appearing appropriately sheepish and adorable after I’m caught.”

Julia Quinn

Finally, one of my favorite animals of the day (except for the baby goats of course!), the most contented, laid-back, relaxed fellow ever. Although I can’t be sure, I’m thinking he may have sired some of the goats with similar coloring. Maybe that’s why he looks so contented 🙂. Gotta love that smile!

Chill

“We need to regard relaxation as a process of surrendering to a deeper wisdom.”

Kenneth S. Cohen

Hopefully Sofia won’t mind that I took such a literal approach to her challenge. Be sure to visit her beautiful post on Photographias, and to link your responses there. Adding the Lens-Artists Tag will ensure that your post appears in our reader section.

Sincere thanks for your amazing responses to Ann-Christine’s Backlit challenge last week. It was truly inspiring to see the ways everyone has made the most of such beautiful light. Next week‘s challenge will be led by John on his Journeys with Johnbo site so be sure to check it out next Saturday at noon EST. Until then as always please stay safe, be kind and enjoy the journey.

Interested in joining the Lens-Artists challenge? Click here for more information.

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Tags: animal, farm, goat, LENS-ARTISTS, mood, photography

• May 7, 2023
• Photography
• 106 Comments