In Defense of Spice

That which defies us, defines us. In the case of some things, some pigs, the unidentifiable is the undeniable.
What good would come of this? the pig wonders aloud. The shimmering tower offers no response.

Sometimes words fly faster than thought and even the most well-meaning pig may find himself scrambling for a bottle.

Taken: 03/30/2012 in Kensington, Brooklyn. I could not find a way to present the white wall or the box, so I put Pig & Bulgari (Bvlgari? Bull Gary?) in the frame. I like the red cap that is so much like a red Jolly Rancher (what flavor were those?) that I'm wondering if this wasn't all a hoax.

Known Dangers

"My drama does not curl in on itself. I am not the center of my universe. Best be be on my way, there are flames afoot and I will not huff to stir them about... my fringes are delicate."

No Leaps of Faith

Taken: 03/10/2011 in Amer, Rajasthan, India. The day was coming to a close and this rhesus macaque wanted a better perch to gaze out over the hills. Who can blame him for trying? He had been batting his lashes for awhile but with little success. He moved on.

Too Early to Tell

A dead goose tells no tales. This one stood frozen, challenging the wind to knock him over. It was for naught.

Taken: 05/15/2010 in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY. The geese filled the lake and some were putting on a display worthy of a contortionist's jester. Soon after, the city came for them, citing regulation (something to do with parades).

Ex Bumblers in Crime

Accidentally perched on the same flower, Vincent and Raphael grazed for a moment--avoiding eye contact. In the end, the flower-pasture was not big enough for the two of them. The High Line wasn't big enough.

Taken: 07/16/2011 at the High Line Park, Manhattan, NY. There were a lot of little flower patches and hundreds of bees and bumblebees swarming around. These two landed on the same flower only once in the time I was watching them and after 1 or 2 seconds they took off again. This was the only shot I managed to get off in that moment.

Highly Contested

There's a deep swath of not here, followed by a deeper one of here.

Inside there's always a contest, outside is usually a strawberry cone. Contesting even this gives a man strifes.

Be forthcoming, hide in the height.

Be as a raccoon--wear your stripes proud.

Taken: 09/11/2010 in Central Park, New York, NY. A mother, protective of her cubs, wonders what I'm doing. The cubs had been running around and playing fearlessly in the branches. Oh to be young again. After noticing me watching them the mother stopped and watched me for a while. 

Skipped a Beat

When you threaten me and mine, I warn you with a loud listen. Or a sharp sniff. This stick is my stick, that stick is my stick too. I can't sing it, but you can imagine it. Furthermore, I'm not always in this "harness," nor am I always so willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. So, were I you, and I'm not you, luckily, I would move on.

Taken: 04/10/2010 in Brooklyn, NY. While humans often come to lament the awful ordeal that is a "Stickup," this gent will only admit that he's not happy with the stick down. Other than that, all's well.

Self Praise

Nature gives itself a hand. Sitting in the trough of a flower edge, a fly pauses to admire the scenery, wash its hands of any wrongdoing. Maybe it's dealing itself out?

Taken: 08/22/2010 at Compost For Brooklyn in Kensington, Brooklyn, NY. The compost garden provides a lovely array of critters to photograph when all the plants are blooming. This was taken with my Opteka 10x adapter, which is an excellent bit of glass for macro use on a regular lens. Cheap, effective and easy to use. It takes time to get the technique down, but so much fun.

Putting on a Show

Two geese warm up an audience that isn't afraid to get its feet wet. The real show, they promise, is just around the corner. Just beyond the curb. A curious passerby might wonder where they hide all the stage props. A smart one will just enjoy the show.

Taken: 04/03/2010 in Waltham, MA not too far from the old Watch Factory. While some learn their hand at their native tongue, others raucous about with their time. There were more fowl on the day, and even a turtle. This bench, was so asking to be photographed--even more than the geese.

Package This

The world ain't so big. My prognosis ain't bleak. You don't scare me with your flames.

Taken: 04/30/2010 at Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, NY. An ant picks his way across the hot stone. Unaware of its institution. The black beneath matches the black within. The explosions are of no concern. The world is only as big as he can traverse in a thought.

This is My Flower!

You could try messing with my flower, but I will take it personally. Step away and no one will get hurt.

Taken: 08/10/2010 at the Chateau Ramezay Museum Garden in Montreal, Canada. The garden was home to many different flying critters.

Coming in for Landing

Coming in for Landing, originally uploaded by twelveicat.

Fuzzy.

Fuzzy.

Food!

Food!

Fuzzy.

Fuzzy.

Food!

Fuzzy.