9 thoughts on “Who’s In Our Yard by Christopher J Ananias”

  1. Bill Tope's avatar Bill Tope says:

    I liked the shot of the raccoons. Reminded me of when, 40 years ago, my old farmhouse was invaded by troupe of coons. When I first saw the results of their mischief, I was taken aback: doors and drawers–even flour and sugar cannisters–had been opened. It was like an old 1960s Disney nature short. Yikes! Also reminded my of Stephen North’s early 20th century memoir, “Rascal,” about taking a raccoon juvnile from the wild and raising it, with mixed results. Thanks for the pictorial.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • chrisja70778e85b8abd's avatar chrisja70778e85b8abd says:

      Hi Bill

      The raccoons opening the sugar canisters is hilarious! I’m not surprised, lol. I knew a crazy guy that had a pet raccoon. It was under his crawlspace. He claimed it was friendly–not too sure. It did come out and waddled around.

      Thanks!

      Christopher

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  2. Thank you CJA and the Light Bringer Carisa

    The use of light creates such wonderfully creepy effects. Like you, we have Raccoons like the mail carries pizza coupons. Had a group of three cubs come by as regulars this past summer after their Mom brought them around once. She let them know I am an easy touch. Very easy to make friends with. Great little visual tale here.

    Leila

    Like

    Reply
    • chrisja70778e85b8abd's avatar chrisja70778e85b8abd says:

      Hi Leila

      We thank you and aim to please in our “backyard studio!”–I think Dale coined that phrase–credit due.

      Aww that nice about the little raccoon cubs. The are good people!

      Glad the story came across, been working more and more on telling stories with photography. I think being a part of The Springs has helped me in this endeavor.

      A lot of times, when I take pictures my first thought is, “Hey this could be a good one for Saragun Springs.”

      CJA

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      • Hi CJA

        I hope you continue to give us this sort of thing! There is certainly a great interest in what can also be described as a live action panel cartoon. Truly entertaining because you have the skills to make it so.

        Leila

        Liked by 1 person

  3. DWB's avatar DWB says:

    CJA

    Art is (perhaps) about transformation if it is about anything at all; and you have achieved that goal here. These pictures have an uncanny edginess to them brought about by the light, the way of the light (the way it’s used) and the lack of light here. It’s like a combo of Rembrandt’s experiments and 1950s American horror movies of the classic variety.

    For pictures to leap free of the constraints of the usual (or the mundane), they need to have a tone, and a stance, just like writing does. Very few pictures manage to be both genuinely funny and genuinely scary at the same time, but these pictures do that. Therefore, they touch the limits of a new tone. This, among other issues, is what makes them artistic and not just something that is created for the hell of it.

    The first picture and the spaceman picture are genuinely scary on numerous levels. Yet they have humor too, leading us back into a new tone. The pictures of the ‘coons and the deer defamiliarize these amazing American creatures and they make the viewer wonder what goes on in the animal world/s, and maybe other worlds, while we are sleeping, or while we are supposed to be sleeping.

    The Light Bringer photo works as the centerpiece of this collection. This picture adds greatly to the complexity of the whole series. A haunting beauty comes through strongly. This world is not just made up of horrors and humor (and life is filled with more than enough of both). It’s also made up of beauty, which also overflows, if you know where to look.

    Jesus called it “the light of the body.” What he meant by that was that some people have an inspiring glow about them at all times, even when, or especially when, they themselves are unaware of it, or don’t care, and by don’t care I mean in the good sense of not caring, like Bukowski’s “Don’t try.”

    Native Americans were and are on very friendly terms with the animals of this continent (for the most part) and their culture/s frequently also celebrate and explore the existence of these things like extraterrestrial creatures (from outer space) and a belief in Big Foot, Sasquatch, the Big Muddy Monster (as he’s called in southern Illinois) and other outlandish, so-called pseudo-scientific and possibly mythic creatures and characters out of the deep woods and the deep prairies. As such, these pictures have been influenced in the best of ways by the Native American spirit.

    Tell Carisa I said hi!

    Great job on these at all levels!

    DWB

    Like

    Reply
  4. chrisja70778e85b8abd's avatar chrisja70778e85b8abd says:

    Hi DWB

    Glad you like them! Those 50s movies were pretty stark. I like that kind of thing too. Reminds of J. Cagney’s gangster movies with the search lights.

    Yes, at night time the animals can at least roam more freely with less fear of humans.

    The Spaceman looks like he’s ripping something or just a fast walker, lol. That was me in a Carhart jacket with reflective stripes. The monster (me) that was strange how it sort of morphs into something creepy.

    Great way to illuminate “The Light Bringer.” She does indeed bring a different aspect to the series. Yes there seems to be too much interest in the darkness of the world. I think Carisa will really get a kick out of what you said here! –since she is the subject.

    Right there are bright beacons in this dark world, according to the Bible. “Don’t try” is good advice. The world, especially now, really is a stage.

    Love and value The Native Americans point of view. They are the closest humans to nature. Maybe the only truly qualified people to speak on its spiritual side.

    Thanks for your great comments!

    CJA

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a reply to DWB Cancel reply