Wednesday, March 12, 2008
No Cattle
Comments:
Interesting title - there is an implied environmental message there, although cattle aren't blameless on that score!
For me, this looks like the scene an innocent passer-by might see as he/she stumbles across a massive military build-up. Whatever is going on, it is obviously serious business.
I like the arteries of wires following the main trunk route.
It does have a slightly military look to it, like an army getting ready at dawn.
This has a layer cake look similar to your recent prairie picture.
John -- cattle are normally what would have been seen there -- it does sadden me when I travel around Florida and see ever more development, though I suspect that will slow for a year or so now given our economy.
I don't really agree about the comments but let's not start on that :-)
The way the barrier blocks the view on the trucks almost looks like censorship, or maybe expresses your condemnation?
The picture is a strong picture without the title. There is definitely something military and menacing here. Human 'can do', and no holds barred.
The title changes the picture a lot. The introduction of cattle into a lot of environments is a recent phenomenon. There are parts of Australia where the grazing of cattle is a hot issue. To anybody familiar with a pre-cattle landscape, the cows probably seemed quite like these trucks.
Leaving aside any current political overtones, there is a big question that this, and some of Doug's recent pictures, opens up. We (thats as in humanity) seems to have a strong urge to declare some time in the recent past - maybe 50 to a 100 years ago - as the golden age. I bet there is some literature on this. I'll have a look if I get the time.
My first reaction was to crop off that highlight on the left edge middle, which would also tighen up the framing of the row of yellow vehicles. An interesting urban landscape image and I also like the repeat of the parallel lines of the fence and wires.
I greatly appreciate your comments.
Not all that much conscious thought went into the title -- I considered leaving it untitled and now think that might be best -- leaving out any more subjective interpretations. Colin's point is a good one.
About cattle -- I do not have any great affinity for them. I don't even eat beef and I understand fairly well their negative effects on the environment. That said, cattle ranching has a long history and tradition in central Florida -- beginning in the 1600s when they were introduced by the Spanish. The remaining ranch lands are now often managed to help support and benefit some unique Florida wildlife that require large open territory, such as the Crested Caracara, Sandhills Cranes, endangered Florida Panthers and Whooping Cranes.
Doug -- I expected some comment on that bright highlight -- I considered cropping it, but ultimately decided to leave it there. I'd be interested in other opinions about that.
The bright highlight is a perfectly innocent reminder of sunrise. Cropping would give the row of vehicles a greater sense of menace if that was what you desired but given all the debate above, I am not going to revisit that! Colin is probably right about golden ages but I think that there is a sharper edge to such discussion today. Is there any parallel with building on prairie in Florida to clearing rain forest in South America? Enough tweaks of Stephane's tail for now!
There is an ambiguity in the interpretation I can put on this image and both fit the title.
My first thought was that these were part of the industrial agricultural machine that marches across the prairies gathering grain.
Then after reading the comments I realised that it could be the preparation for the covering of farmland with a development.
Whichever interpretation the image has poignancy.
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For me, this looks like the scene an innocent passer-by might see as he/she stumbles across a massive military build-up. Whatever is going on, it is obviously serious business.
I like the arteries of wires following the main trunk route.
This has a layer cake look similar to your recent prairie picture.
The way the barrier blocks the view on the trucks almost looks like censorship, or maybe expresses your condemnation?
The title changes the picture a lot. The introduction of cattle into a lot of environments is a recent phenomenon. There are parts of Australia where the grazing of cattle is a hot issue. To anybody familiar with a pre-cattle landscape, the cows probably seemed quite like these trucks.
Leaving aside any current political overtones, there is a big question that this, and some of Doug's recent pictures, opens up. We (thats as in humanity) seems to have a strong urge to declare some time in the recent past - maybe 50 to a 100 years ago - as the golden age. I bet there is some literature on this. I'll have a look if I get the time.
Not all that much conscious thought went into the title -- I considered leaving it untitled and now think that might be best -- leaving out any more subjective interpretations. Colin's point is a good one.
About cattle -- I do not have any great affinity for them. I don't even eat beef and I understand fairly well their negative effects on the environment. That said, cattle ranching has a long history and tradition in central Florida -- beginning in the 1600s when they were introduced by the Spanish. The remaining ranch lands are now often managed to help support and benefit some unique Florida wildlife that require large open territory, such as the Crested Caracara, Sandhills Cranes, endangered Florida Panthers and Whooping Cranes.
Doug -- I expected some comment on that bright highlight -- I considered cropping it, but ultimately decided to leave it there. I'd be interested in other opinions about that.
My first thought was that these were part of the industrial agricultural machine that marches across the prairies gathering grain.
Then after reading the comments I realised that it could be the preparation for the covering of farmland with a development.
Whichever interpretation the image has poignancy.