Photographer’s Note
In th the area around the many lagunas you can see many alpacas and also vicunas.
This is laguna Chiarcota(about 4000m)
I like this foto ,because of what the alpacas are doing.The two in front,maybe male and female or two male rivals,and the two in the background viewing the great landscape like tourists.
Something about Alpacas:
Alpacas have been domesticated for thousands of years, and originate from Peru, Chile and Bolivia. There are no wild alpacas; it is believed that they are descended from the vicuna, which is also native to South America. They are closely related to llamas, which are descended from the guanaco. These four species of animals are collectively called camelids.
Of the four, the alpaca and the vicuña are the most valuable wool-bearing animals: the alpaca because of the quality and quantity of its wool, and the vicuña because of the softness, fineness and quality of its coat.
Alpacas and llamas can (and do) successfully cross breed, the resulting offspring are called huarizo.
There are two types of alpaca – huacaya (with crimpy sheep-like “wool”) and suri (with silky dreadlocks). Suris are much rarer than huacaya, estimated to make up between 6 and 10% of the alpaca population. The suri is probably rarer because it is less hardy in the harsh South American mountain climates, as the style of its fleece offers less insulation against the cold (the suri fleece parts along the spine, exposing the animal to the cold unlike the huacaya fleece which provides excellent cover over the backbone).
Alpaca fleece is a luxurious fibre, similar to sheep’s wool in some respects, although it is lighter in weight, silkier to the touch, warmer and not as prickly. A big trade of alpace fleece exists in the countries where alpacas live, from very simple and not so expensive garments made by the aboriginal communities, to sophisticated products industrially made, that can have significantly high prices.
Alpacas come in 22 natural colours, from a true blue black through browns and fawns to white, and there are silver greys and rose greys as well.
Traditionally, alpaca meat has been eaten fresh, fried or in stews, by Andean inhabitants. There is a resurgent interest in alpaca meat in countries like Peru, where it is relatively easy to find it at upscale restaurants.
isabela_sor, RADEEH, timleahy, pilpel-adom, Buin, Rossignol, Giorgio, fijiphil has marked this note useful
Critiques | Translate
RADEEH
(2768) 2006-02-24 12:35
The ice capped mountains,the cloude sky,and the bushes are well captured.
The sharpness of the shot is awesome.
The beauty of the place is mind blowing.
The way you absorbed is tempting me to go there.
Well captured A grand shot.
Thanks for sharing
Framboisilla
(5402) 2006-02-24 12:40
Hello Andreas,
Very beautiful landscape with very nice colors and contrasts, a good sharpness. I like animals in the first plan !
Regards,
Stéphanie.
timleahy
(2189) 2006-02-24 12:40
Andreas,
Amazing shot! Good depth of field and great colours. The mountains looks so smooth in texture with the blue sky sharp against it.
love the way the animals are looking in different directions, almost like sentries.
...tim
Ekim (10) 2006-02-24 12:42
Beautiful picture, it looks like you've made one photograph by adding two different pictures together.
isabela_sor
(42175) 2006-02-24 12:43
I like this animals and how two of them are looking right to mountains..Fantastic landscape and a great picture!
Thank you
A nice week-end
Isabela
fayeulle
(26543) 2006-02-24 12:43
Hi Andreas
What a note ! Very interresting....
Ne poto is also i,terresting. Obviously I this the water level is tilted. When I saw this lagoon the lighting was very different and colors different also
Have a nice WE
Cheers
JP
Gerrit
(35763) 2006-02-24 13:52
Hi Leo, a very strong one. I like the different layers here and the brightness and clarity of the scene.
Thanks and regards, Gerrit
Buin
(37736) 2006-02-24 15:33
Hallo Andreas!
What should I comment to this informative and sharp photo and it's note? PERFECT !
My congratulations!
Frank
Rossignol
(2289) 2006-02-24 17:53
Hallo Andreas
This is a superb photo. The landscape is breathtaking and there's something slightly comical about the way the alpacas, particularly the one at the front left, are standing in perfect profile. Very well exposed in what look like quite harsh and difficult light conditions.
Excellent work
Peter
Giorgio
(8716) 2006-02-25 2:14
- It's really a splendid landscape even without the alpacas, with, this is a undeniable most, the POV, the color, all is excellent, cheer!
giorgio
markstaples
(15670) 2006-02-25 4:56
Hi Leo!
How did you do it? Did you offer them food to pose for you like this?! Superb composition, well captured against a very beautiful background. The colours are again lovely and natural. Thanks for sharing.
Best wishes
Mark
fijiphil
(1345) 2006-06-06 14:00
There seems to be a slight slant to the right, or is that just an illusiuon created by the sloping shoreline? Great shot nonetheless.
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Andreas LEO Urban (leo61)
(43406) - Genre: Places
- Medium: Color
- Date Taken: 2004-03-00
- Categories: Nature
- Camera: Minolta dynax 7000i, Sigma 24mm f2.8
- Photo Version: Original Version
- Travelogue: 10 weeks in Southamerica
- Date Submitted: 2006-02-24 12:19
- Favorites: 1 [view]








