Notes On Charlie ~ April 29

Since it has been crazy windy here, and I can’t take pictures in this kind of wind, I have another Farmily story to share.

I’ll often get emails from people checking in on Eli and Chloe since the number of photos with them has decreased over the years. Both Eli and Chloe are well and wonderful, happy, healthy, and still super buds with Charlie. They just don’t like being photographed much anymore.

Sometimes Charlie and Chloe will be running around playing together, and I’ll go out with my camera, and Chloe will just kind of fall back and keep to the edges of things. It’s not like anything traumatic happened with the camera, she’s just over it. Which I totally get – I hate it when people take pictures of me. It’s like the process just became tiresome to her and Eli. So I don’t force it.

Charlie, on the other hand, has always seemed to “get” the bigger picture and willingly, eagerly, engages in it. I bring out the camera and he works it like Kate Moss. If he wasn’t such an active participant in this photographic journey, it certainly would not have gone on this long. I’m glad he is, and I’m glad it has ~ he is definitely the one calling the shots.

one year ago: Colorblock
two years ago: Coyote Nest
three years ago: Spring Rain, Punk Styles
four years ago: Neck Nuzzle
five years ago: A Break In Our Regularly Scheduled Program

11 Responses to “Notes On Charlie ~ April 29”

  1. Betsy Says:

    Thanks for this update on Eli & Chloe. I was wondering a bit myself, but your news is good news! I am not surprised to read that you take your cues from the animals about what is ok and what is not. It’s part of what makes you a happy “Farmily”!

  2. wright1 Says:

    Glad to hear that Chloe and Eli are well, and you make very good points about their current lack of visibility on the site. Your images have power because of their natural, unforced qualities.

    If the subject isn’t cooperative, then even the most skilled artist can’t do a lot. At best, the quality of art is compromised, and possibly the relationship between artist and subject as well.

    It’s enough to know that the animals and people you care about and who care about you are well and happy. Thanks for sharing so many aspects of your life with us.

  3. Stefan Jones Says:

    My dog hates the whir and flash of cameras, and I have to surprise her if I want to take a shot that isn’t of her turning away in disgust.

  4. mj Says:

    Please give Charlie an extra treat for being so cooperative:) Curious that two normally domestic animals would shun the camera, but a naturally wild one would love it! I know Charlie is pretty domesticated, but in the wild, I would think a Coyote would not want that kind of attention.

    Charlie is just a joy to see. So glad he enjoys the photo sessions, as much as we do:)

  5. Canyouhearmeow Says:

    Paws and licks to Charlie and private paws and licks to Eli and Chloe. Thank you Shreve for your continued sharing. We are so very lucky, still.

  6. Felyne Says:

    It’s not something you would expect an animal to understand, that they’re having their photo taken.

    My tortoiseshell cat was a very private little cat and while she tolerated it for a while it got to the point that if she saw the camera she would leave. She was also crafty and would do things like turn her back to the camera or obsecure herself so she wasn’t clear in the shot (what it sounds like Chloe does). I guess they see it as an Eye and as long as the Eye isn’t looking at them they’re okay.

    My Burmese on the otherhand was quite the showpony and if you weren’t taking his picture he could throw quite the tantrum.

  7. Maggie Says:

    My dog Grace also hates being photographed. She sees the camera, or even my phone, and her ears drop and she runs away if she can. Same thing, nothing happened, but she just doesn’t want any part of it.

  8. carmel Says:

    My english pointer Gracie, is a poser! She’s a Charlie!!! She loves getting her picture taken. Lovely to hear that all in your care are happy and healthy:)

  9. Scotty Says:

    that is interesting, i can imagine that charlie will eventually slow down and become disinterested more as he becomes an old coyote and of course you will know that and when the time comes that will be your sign to wind this all down a bit.

    a few days ago one of my feral cats let me scratch behind his ears for the first time since i moved here into his house. their adoption of me has proceeded slowly.

    btw the skunk that visited me some weeks ago was a very large hog nosed skunk. in reading up on them i can see that because of infrequent sightings they are considered somewhat rare. point being, they are very very shy.

  10. Barbara Says:

    Shreve, I think you will enjoy this. It takes the story of Charlie and Eli one step farther:
    http://www.azfamily.com/news/Lion-and-Coyote-become-best-friends-181466161.html
    P.S. I hope you feel better soon.

  11. hello haha harf Says:

    charlie certainly is special.
    as are you.

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