"When I look into the eyes of an animal I do not see an
animal. I see a living being. I see a friend. I feel a soul."
~ ANTHONY DOUGLAS WILLIAMS
by Betsy Seeton
I couldn't say it better than that quote. I, too, feel a soul when I look into the eyes of an animal. Animal lovers know that animals experience a wide variety of emotions. Experts confirm that elephants mourn their dead, cry out in grief, and can die from grief. I've witnessed cows taking great care of their babies. It's not merely instinct at work. Mother cows have been known to walk miles in search of their offspring. "Cows have incredible senses: they have near panoramic vision, can detect odours up to five miles away and they can hear low and high frequency sounds better than humans." [source]
I couldn't say it better than that quote. I, too, feel a soul when I look into the eyes of an animal. Animal lovers know that animals experience a wide variety of emotions. Experts confirm that elephants mourn their dead, cry out in grief, and can die from grief. I've witnessed cows taking great care of their babies. It's not merely instinct at work. Mother cows have been known to walk miles in search of their offspring. "Cows have incredible senses: they have near panoramic vision, can detect odours up to five miles away and they can hear low and high frequency sounds better than humans." [source]
"Cows to many people are a metaphor for mindless passivity, as they appear to graze seemingly oblivious to the world around them. Yet behind this placid facade cows feel pain, fear and anxiety and they worry about the future, they have emotions, form friendships, bear grudges and in the right circumstances they feel happiness and experience pleasure, they have long memories and just like us they are capable of learning from each other, have individual personalities and cognitive abilities: in short they are sentient. There is much scientific and anecdotal evidence that shows us that underneath their docility is a thinking, feeling, aware being." [From the article SENTIENCE IN FARM ANIMALS: CATTLE]
I took the photos in the collage of animals eyes above. My goal through the use of a camera lens is to bring the animal world into focus, in order to expand our own. I want to share my belief that all life matters. My photography passion extends to all animals, birds and reptiles. I posit that if the human race embraced that single concept -- all life matters -- we'd be closer to peace on this beautiful and glorious, but quite messed up planet.
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