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Save the Vicunas - Three


Save the Vicunas - Three
Photo Information
Copyright: Alon Schreibman (alon) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 265 W: 24 N: 246] (1269)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-03-23
Categories: Nature
Camera: Canon EOS 10D, Sigma 70-200 f2.8 EX APO, Digital ISO 100
Exposure: f/4.5, 1/350 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Wild Vicunas [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-10-16 4:02
Viewed: 1064
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This is the first shot from the series that I will publish here in the next few days. I know it is not a typical TE photos, but I think it is important to increase the public awareness to species that are close to extinction.

Vicuna is a rare wild animal from the Llama family. It has probably the finest (about 12 microns in diameter) and most expensive wool in the world, but still, can’t be domesticated. That’s why raw wool from Vicuna has been legally auctioned at $500 per kg while average vicuna fleece provides only 0.2 kg. If you compare those prices to the best replacement of Vicuna wool which is fine Alpaca wool, it cost around $15 per kg, but the wool is twice thicker.

The vicuna lives in the altiplano highlands of Chile, Peru, Bolivia and Argentina in altitude above 4000 meters.

Many people used to kill those beautiful creatures because of the valuable wool, and in the 70’s the situation was very close to a point of extinction. The governments of those countries declared the Vicuna as a protected animal, and set special regulations of how to be able to take the wool without killing the poor animal.

The Vicunas are very shy, and it is not easy to get that close to them. I had to move very slowly, and to hide behind some bushes. In some stage they saw me, but because I didn’t move they didn’t run away, and looked at my direction from curiosity. :-)

The photo was taken in Park Lauca which is located in north of Chile. This park border with Bolivia and not too far from Peru, so if you travel in this region, it is highly recommended to visit this park. It is not packed with tourists and has one of the best natural scenes I ever saw.


PS: The photo was not cropped. I just adjusted the contrast and slightly sharpened.
alejandroguzman, Marmou, sebautourdumond, aloyho, elihesamian, fayeulle has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To alejandroguzman: Many thanks!alon 1 10-16 04:57
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Alon:

Lovely and beautifull PORTRAIT !!! LOL ...

I really like those animals, they are so simple and charmed.

I got som pics of vicunas, have u seen them ??? check into my album photos and tell me what do u think about them.

I will add u into my favorite list, ok?

hugs
alejandro

Hola,

Beautifull part of Nature and very beautifull picture. I like very much vicunas with their long slim neck, dark eyes and their so wild way to turn back wildly when trying to go nearer to catch them...
Thanks
Salut
Marielle

Salut Alon
Encore une image me rappelant de beaux souvenirs. Le fabuleux Parc Lauca et ses vigognes. Une belle photo et en plus ce n'est pas un crop! je suis jaloux car je n'ai pas réussi a les approcher même en prenant toutes mes précautions!
Bravo,
Seb

nice image. I like the identical attitude of the 2 vicunas and the blurred background.
Vanessa

Hi Alon,
Beautiful DOF and I love how the heads of the three vicuna formed a triangle. The colours are very pleasant and your effort to be commended. Well done!! Regards.

Nice and funny shot Alon, I like a lot how the central Lama is turned on the other side and the other two watch at you.. well captured and composed, compliments!!
have a nice week, Fabio.

The composition of three is excellent. You did very well to capture these creatures without frightening them away. Dof is good so the background is blurred. Well done
Kath

The note indeed touched me,Alon,I always am worry about this matter about some rare kind of animal,and sometines we hear about extinction of some species in the world,and this is very very sad,such WILD "Man" we have in the world,and I'm wondering that they are always success in their dirty aims,...how we kill this beautiful innocence creatures?...MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!...the animal are not important,The Man kills Man for ...don't they?!

This is great shot,with nice colors nad very well composed,all 3 shots in the serie are great,I'm very very Thanks ful for sharing this shots as a serie,Alon,

Best To You
M

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