Gallery: speaking a great language
An animal’s eyes have the power to speak a great language
Martin Buber, philosopher
It’s often said that the eyes are the windows into the soul, but many will claim that an animal doesn’t have a soul. However, soul or not, an animal’s eyes can certainly be very expressive.
I was excited last week to see a new nature photography challenge launched by Denzil, but too occupied in sorting through my Colombia photos to join in. To be honest, I’m still busy with those photos but couldn’t resist this week’s theme of ‘Eyes’!
So here, quite simply, is a selection of photos taken in various places which focus on the eyes of an animal. Plus one that doesn’t!
Snow leopard in a sanctuary in Kent, England
Hippo in the Okavango Delta, Botswana
[also seen in my opening photo]
Zebra in Chobe National Park, Botswana
Giraffe’s eye, Giraffe Manor, Nairobi
At the Elephant Camp at Tiger Tops Tharu, Chitwan National Park, Nepal
Chipmunk near Yakima in Washington State, its eye reflecting the surrounding landscape
In the weed-filled crocodile pool in Bakau, Gambia
The bizarre eye of a chameleon in a sanctuary in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
[held by my husband Chris]
Flamingo at Jersey Zoo
And here’s the shot that is not of an animal’s eyes! Like many insects, this Owl Butterfly in Selvatura Park, Costa Rica, uses eye-like markings (here on the underside of its wings) to act as a deterrent to predators. The idea is to make attackers think they are facing a larger and potentially dangerous animal.
59 Comments
Jane Lurie
Fantastic wildlife images, Sarah. “Eye spy” a wonderful post. 🙂
Jane Lurie
Haha! I though I had seen it before… 😂
Sarah Wilkie
I was surprised to see you commenting again 🤣
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Jane Lurie
Wow, Sarah, the eyes have it! 😀 Love your post and these beautiful animals.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Jane 😊 Funnily enough, I nearly called this post ‘the eyes have it’, until I came across that quote!
Jane Lurie
We both love a good pun!😉
equinoxio21
Outstanding pictures. You are a very good photographer… Animals are very hard to capture. The chameleon? I had a similar one in front of my window as a teen, when I lived in Kenya… The three horn variety… I must have a – bad – picture somewhere.
Thanks for the trip back to memory lane…
Sarah Wilkie
Aw, thank you so much 😊 I enjoy photographing animals but you’re right, they’re not easy to capture – I must have far more poor photos than I do decent ones!
equinoxio21
Well, if one has to throw ten away for one good shot, I’ll do it… (Even more so with digital photography. LOL. I still remember travelling to far away places with limited supplies of film…)
Sarah Wilkie
Oh yes, digital photography has made all the difference. Also, now we can see immediately if a shot has worked or not, and try again if it hasn’t (although in the case of birds that particular opportunity has probably flown!)
equinoxio21
True. I would add “digital lab”. I process most of my pictures in Photoshop. No special effects, just cropping, erasing a few details. Working with light…
JohnRH
Great photos. The ayes have it.
Sarah Wilkie
Yes indeed they do – thank you 😀
wetanddustyroads
Well, when I think back to how many times I’ve looked into our spaniels’ eyes, I definitely think they had a soul! The photo of that snow leopard – wow!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much 😊 Spaniel eyes are especially soulful I think.
grandmisadventures
I love how you’ve zoomed in to really see the eyes in detail. Really beautiful pictures of so many beautiful animals 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
Zoomed in or in some cases cropped 😆 Thank you so much, I’m glad you enjoyed these!
Mike and Kellye Hefner
So beautiful, Sarah.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Kellye 😀
SoyBend
I especially liked the snow leopard, Sarah. Such beautiful creatures!
Sarah Wilkie
They are – I love all the big cats (and small ones!) 🦁🐯
sheetalbravon
Wow! I’m speechless. This is a lovely collection of eyes have it. Beautifully photographed, Sarah.
Sarah Wilkie
Oh, thank you so much Sheetal 😊
Suzanne@PictureRetirement
Great challenge and fabulous representation as usual.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Suzanne 😊
Sue
Oh, fab!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Sue 🙂
Sue
😊
Marie
Beautifully put together Sarah. I’m particularly drawn to the elephant for some reason….
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Marie 😊 I’m always drawn to elephants!
Tales From My Lens
Such a great mix of some beautiful eyes!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much 😀
Tracey
I believe animals have souls and you have beautifully captured them!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Tracey 😊
Susanne Swanson
These are all wonderful photos, Sarah! And the giraffe and elephant eyes are amazing!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Susanne 😊 I often like to study details of animals when I can, such as their eyes or other features, so this challenge was perfect for me.
Susanne Swanson
You did a wonderful job!
restlessjo
Is that a ‘come hither’ from the giraffe, Sarah? Fabulous! While the elephant looks rather weary.
Sarah Wilkie
Haha, yes, maybe the giraffe was flirting a little – although as we were feeding her she was probably more interested in eating than anything else! We were also feeding the elephant or at least about to – maybe she was hungry rather than tired?
restlessjo
Yes, my husband looks like that if I don’t feed him often enough 🤣
Sarah Wilkie
🤣🤣
Monkey's Tale
Beautiful pictures Sarah, I love the leopard’s the most and have to say I was a little afraid of the flamingo’s eyes! Maggie
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Maggie 🙂 I’m curious why you say you’re afraid of the flamingo – most people would say the crocodile!
Monkey's Tale
T
His eye, I looked possessed!
Denzil
What a super portfolio of eye pics Sarah, thanks for taking part. Love that flamingo trying to have a snooze, apparently, And the owl butterfly with its huge owl, hopefully scary enough to deter predators from eating such a cute butterfly!
Sarah Wilkie
You’re right about the flamingo Denzil – I have an almost identical photo taken seconds later with the eye closed! Glad you enjoyed my contribution, this is a great idea for a challenge and I look forward to joining in again soon 🙂
Denzil
Super, thanks Sarah.
Brad M
You just know they are watching us as much as we are watching them.
Sarah Wilkie
Ha yes, especially those hippos!
Heyjude
Some great animal close-ups here Sarah. The ‘eyes’ definitely have it!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Jude 😊
bushboy
So many a smile Sarah. These are ever so good. Love the starting Hippo, the Zebra had a hard night, the elephant looks stoned, bright as a button Chipmunk and that Chameleon 😂
I must agree with Alison. This is one kick ass post Sarah 💓
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Brian, I love your commentary on these animals’ conditions / states of mind 😆
margaret21
Fabulous shots. My own post will appear on Monday and also has an Owl Butterfly. But mine came from nowhere more exotic than the Horniman Butterfly House, so I’m quite jealous.
Sarah Wilkie
I’ll look forward to seeing yours Margaret and to comparing butterflies 😆
Alison
Love the way you put this together, mine pales in comparison! I’m going to have to get my proper camera out. How funny we both found this new challenge at the same time 😊
Sarah Wilkie
I think a number of us are gradually discovering this challenge – it seems to be taking off quite quickly. I’m curious to see what other themes he comes up with!
Alison
Yes will be interesting