241 thoughts on “Wild Eyes~”

  1. R.I.P. Cecil the Lion and all the other wild creatures killed for pleasure and profit. Truly it is a sin to murder God’s creatures just because we can. As humans we must protect wild animals and Not hunt them down for ego and money.

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  2. What GORGEOUS captures Cindy, and couldn’t agree more with you, how ANYONE could derive pleasure from killing these beautiful creatures is beyond me!

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  4. I enjoy the idea of wild animals. These are such warm and soulful eyes. Giraffe’s long eyelashes are so lovely. Thanks, Cindy for these wise words and special photos.
    I even have a hard time when deer herds are thinned but happy if families get deer meat, plus more room and foliage for the remaining deer, Cindy.

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    1. I always think of the Beatles song, when I hear the term, “Big Game Hunter…” Remember Bungalow Bill? “Went tiger hunting with his elephant gun. In case of accidents he always brung his mum.”

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  19. The thing about your photos is that you show us gentility, heart, and soul. Ironically, though these are “wild” animals, there isn’t anything wild in their eyes (in the sense of a wild and crazed look sometimes seen in humans) but there is peace and lovingkindness in those eyes.

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    1. Yes! Exactly. When are we going out for lunch? Ironic indeed, that the term ‘wild eyes’ does pertain more accurately to some humans, than to wild animals. Animal eyes capture me with their wisdom and grace.
      We share more than a name Cynthia. <3

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    1. Yes, there needs to be more protection for all vulnerable humans and animals! We’re all on this planet together.
      I am going to review your book as soon as I finish it on Amazon/Goodreads. Thoroughly enjoying it.

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    1. One of the things I find the saddest is the children. If you watch a child with any animal they are enraptured with joy. It is so fun to watch. They are so gentle. And yet, someone takes that child and trains them to hunt and kill for fun. Incomprehensible, unless it is necessary for survival.

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  22. hsampson

    Thanks for the wonderful photos Cindy and I am happy to see that nowadays more people are changing the concept that hunting, bull fights, dog fights, etc are sports or an art form!

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      1. hsampson

        Indeed, a barbarian is some who is uncivilised! And the number of civilised people are growing every day! We finally are understanding our true role on this planet!

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  31. I think it’s the first time I see photos of a giraffe at eye level! I agree one hundred percent, I cannot understand how it’s allowed to kill for “sport” so magnificent creatures. Thank you Cindy 🙂

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    1. I can’t even imagine how someone could derive more pleasure in killing than in photographing. I am a shrink. Maybe I could teach hunters how to get their trophies with cameras rather than guns, but this probably wouldn’t work. Sadism is a big part of hunting and let’s all be straight about this.

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  39. Such a timely post Cindy! What lovely images of animals going about their daily lives just as we do… eating, showing affection towards each other, resting. It’s unimaginable to me that someone would want to disrupt life. I’m still appalled and it’s not just because Cecil had a name or fame. All these animals are distinct, beautiful individuals. <3 ~Lynn

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  41. I love that first shot ~ wow, it is just like I am looking in the mirror every morning 🙂 Beautiful series, and especially of the big cats and agree fully with your sentiments, they are amazing beasts.

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  42. Maybe you could use your amazing “shrink” powers to hypnotize them into believing they are the prey or orphaned babes. Just maybe they would find it enlightening.

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  43. I so absolutely agree with you and my heart cried for the killing got these beautiful creatures for sport as we have been hearing about on the news.
    My great-grandson was so excited to see the giraffes and think they are straight from heaven.

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    1. Children intuitively know this about animals. It kills me to think of parents crushing this childlike love by turning children into hunters. Tell you great grandson he is right and I am proud he knows this! <3

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    1. I have been struck by three things when taking photos of wild animals and wild birds, they are curious and interested in people who stand still for long periods, who do not talk or make a sound, and who have a biggish camera affixed to their face! Laughing, but it’s true. They must find it all somewhat atypical. That’s why so many of them look directly at the camera.

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  58. Thank you for raising awareness. Why can’t people who shoot and stuff animals be happy with shooting these beautiful creatures using a camera and having the photo as a trophy? I had chills when I opened my reader and the first thing I saw was your picture of a giraffe. A mother giraffe and little one were my last images I dreamt as I awoke this morning. 😀

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  65. “Giraffes can be very dangerous…” I laughed out loud when I read that explanation by the woman who killed one. So stay in your own country, and don’t travel long distances to other people’s countries where there may be giraffes that they are happy to take the risk of living with. That should solve all your problems, dear heart… RH

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    1. Oh those photos of her laying next to the dead giraffe. Made me feel ill, and she is so proud oh herself. Ughhh. Giraffes are curious, and like to have their space respected, if you do this, they might eventually walk closer to get a look at you. What a thrill this is, to be checked out by giraffes!!!!! She, of course would take the opportunity to shoot them.

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  68. You have captured a look of compassion in the eyes of the giraffe Cindy and as for those magnificent lion photos, it is all about pride and belonging.

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    1. I saw that too. I would like to hear more from the African people about what they think about these idiot Americans who come and slaughter their heritage. They need the tourist dollars though and that makes the whole situation even sadder. How ’bout tourists go to Africa and shoot photos of the animals rather then murder them.

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  88. You captured their eyes and other details so well! While native peoples have hunt to eat, I’m not much for taking them down just to hang on a wall… or weird medicinal beliefs.

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    1. It is hard to find reasons to support trophy hunting when so many species are endangered, at the brink of extinction, or extinct due to human hunting and habitat destruction. We are a destructive species.

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  89. Incredible photos, Cindy! Whenever I see paintings of these animals, I think they are exaggerating the gorgeous outlined eyes. These photos prove they aren’t! Wow. These have such a visceral effect!!

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  90. I couldn’t agree more with the sentiment in your post. I’m afraid I hate hunting for “sport” — both of magnificent creatures like these or more commonplace ones such as rabbits and squirrels. It’s wrong to make a game of killing something.

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    1. Yes, someone on this blog recently said they supported killing foxes because foxes are animals who “kill for fun.” What would happen if we applied this same logic to humans?

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      1. Yes, it really is a very silly argument. For one thing, humans kill for fun, as you rightly say. Also, it takes no account of our much-vaunted mighty intellect. Just as we’d don’t usually ask toddlers for their spiritual guidance or detailed financial advice, foxes are simply not equipped for higher level moral reasoning.

        It’s rather foolish to argue, “Well foxes don’t sit down and consider the ethical implications of their behavior, so why should we?” Where does that kind of logic get us? “Oh female preying mantises think it’s okay to eat their mate after copulation, so what’s the problem?”

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      2. Yes, exactly. Ironic isn’t it? We really might be better off asking toddlers for spritual guidance though. We might get some really good ideas and it can’t be worse than some of the stuff adults toss around! 😉 😉

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    1. Good girl, I appreciate the restraint, and I don’t want to be kiting anymore potentially ‘offensive’ posts after the Bare Bathing Behavior debacle….. 😉

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  92. Cindy, my dear friend, somehow you got knocked off my list of followers. I’ve no idea how that happened and it’s probably some WordPress glitch. I wondered why I’d received no notifications of your posts lately. Now I know why. So sorry about that. I’ve missed you. Will re-follow you immediately. xxxx

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    1. Yes, this same thing has happened to me with a collection of blogs I follow. It is very frustrating because you don’t know that you are not following until you think of the person and go check out their blog and see all the posts you have missed. So no worries, I understand exactly what this is like. I am sure there are blogs I don’t even know I am unfollowing!

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      1. I swear it happens whenever WordPress decides to fiddle around with the layout of the Dashboard and the Reader. I wish they’d leave things alone, as changes often don’t equate with improvement.
        Am so glad to have reconnected with you and that you understand. There are probably people out there seething with each other due to unwitting unfollowings!

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      2. I know there are people with hurt feelings who don’t realize the unfollow was unintentional. Now posts are not appearing in the reader. It happened to me twice in the last few weeks. Keeping things the same might be smarter so WP can focus on the glitches rather than repetitively redoing things.

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  94. They are beautiful creatures, and when one respects their territory, and is aware of the possible dangers they present, by taking the proper precaution there is nothing to fear. However, killing these animals (especially the way a recent dentist killed that lion) is appalling to think about. I love the pictures of the giraffe, such a gorgeous creature. Nice photos, Cindy.

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    1. Your first sentence contains the core of my approach to wild animals (and some people too) respect their space, monitor their body language. They will usually tell you when you are too close. Thanks much for knowing this.

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  98. Great photos Cindy – the lion shots are particularly beautiful! They look so content.

    I too just cannot comprehend how people can murder these wonderful and majestic creatures and feel pride or pleasure about doing so. It’s truly despicable.

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  100. Cindy. I want you to know how much I appreciate your follow. And, your blog is simply beautiful! just can’t get over how clear these photo’s are, and I just love these! <3

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      2. I am on facebook but am a newbie and basically suck at it. So if I try and facebook friend Cherl Ann, I will find you? If not please find me, Cindy Knoke. I definitely want to know more about you.

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  101. Yes, inconceivable to me as well. Blood lust, whether for wild things or the wild look in a refugee’s eyes. The urge in humans to destroy, to kill the feral instinct in another, as if one can feast off the power of life they’ve extinguished. Seriously sad.

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