Wednesday, January 12, 2011

why we watch


This last week my family and I visited the Oceanário de Lisboa (Lisbon Aquarium) and were fascinated watching these sea otters from the Pacific ocean. There were three otters in the exhibit and these two floated around together, touching the entire time. Most of the time the head of one bumped up against the other as they cleaned their fur, but at one moment, they reached out and held hands, er, paws as if to reassure each other. It was the most endearing sight.

What is it, that draws us to zoos and aquariums? I think we visit these places, not only to see the creatures from the wild, but to see a bit of ourselves. We seek the human behaviors, and are so excited when we catch the moments that make these animals a little more understandable to us. FeeMail's photo is a great example. She captured a moment that brings the wild a little closer to humanity.

Kat of The Kat Eye View of the World

Untitled by FeeMail

10 comments:

Fee ist mein Name said...

Thank you so much for choosing my picture! And I think what you say is totally right! Have a great day!

Unknown said...

wonderful photos of these glorious animals. your otter shot took me back to california -- i lived in carmel and we'd see these otters in monterey bay, feeding among the kelp beds. so beautiful!

MaggieGem said...

Wonderful photos... great post, we do love to see ourselves in others!

blue elephant photography said...

those otters are the cutest! awww ♥
and the mother and child monkeys are so funny!
their gestures speak a lot!

Tavia said...

When I was a kid the San Diego zoo was my dream...not Disneyland. I will never forget when I finally made it! The playful otters & the human like orangutans...LOVE!

Anna said...

Otters on our lake in the Fall are always a welcome sight, so large and playful! Touching captures.

Anika said...

I could watch otters for days...way too cute!

Jamie said...

Adorable

GailO said...

Wonderful shots! I agree that we do see human traits in animals... orangutans always do seem so human-like!

Kirstin said...

I adore sea otters and have spent many an hour watching them play....and such a sweet accompanying picture.

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