Possum that was hit by a car. A friend of mine pointed it out. The little hairless babies started climbing out a few hours later. It was very heartbreaking to watch them, but there wasn't much we could do about it.
Statistics
Place: 50 out of 232 Avg (all users): 5.7792 Avg (commenters): 6.6500 Avg (participants): 5.6364 Avg (non-participants): 5.9091 Views since voting: 1441 Votes: 231 Comments: 25 Favorites: 0
Thanks to everyone who commented on my photograph this week. I'm surprised by the number of comments I've received on this photo. I figured it would be a pretty evocative photo, but didn't think I'd be getting over 20 comments. I'm surprised I didn't get more comments about how sick and twisted I was. I think the haters didn't leave comments, just bad votes. I will not say I blame them, just disappointed that they didn't see this image for what I think is a very real view of desolation. Pink, hairless, blind babies crawling around their recently deceased mother... How much more desolate could this be?
"Perhaps it could have been a little better if the animal was in a peaceful position without it's mouth gaping open and w/o the dying babies at its side it may have been an interesting shot. I am sorry, but at the moment it is too tasteless for my liking.
However, if we forget the content, the picture could have done with a tighter crop on the subjects and a wider aperture to blur the background further."
I apologies if I have been a little sarcastic with the previous msg. I was in a bit of a mood I guess, no excuse however.
This shot both disgusts me and amazes me. I can only begin to imagine what happened to these poor animals. Well composed and great detail. Only thing I would have changed, is to try to get more depth into the horizon, which would have added a sense of great vastness and loneliness. Great capture!
this becomes grotesque rather than desolate...it's all over for these guys and it makes me wonder what you the photographer think you're getting out of this
I can't stand to look at this picture. It's awful. You've got tears in my eyes. I HATE it! I hope you buried the poor mom and her babies out of respect for taking her photo...
Opposum babies in the pouch of the mother can survive impacts by cars. If you are reading this, please pass on the word that when you find an opposum hit on the side of the road, it is very important to check to see if there are babies. If there are, they can usually be saved. These babies may have survived, and climbed around the mom to try to find food and water. They may have died a brutal death of dydration, and exposure.
I support a local wildlife rehabiliator in the area and she has shared this advice with me. If you don\'t know where a wildlife rehabilitator is in your area, call the local humane society and/or your local zoo keepers. They can direct you.
When I first saw your image I thought it was a little sick but on my second look over I noticed the little ones also dead. I have to admit it made me change my opnion of your picture. Good job and good luck.
Wow! What a sad photo this is! Poor possums! The framing is too square to me. I would have like to see more of the surrounding area... ala rules of thirds, maybe. Just a thought. (7)
This is better than the other dead rodent picture. seeing the dead baby ones too definitely adds to the desolation. I like the background; it looks like this empty field of gravel goes on forever.
I have a mixed feeling about this. Sad but true, I suppose. I thought it was just another 'eeewww' shot but you've made the point. Strong subject for me.
Incredible picture, very hard-hitting. The babies really add to the power of the shot, you've not held back here! Superb composition, great textures, very sharp... technically this is spot-on. It's very odd to see a dead mammal with it's legs straight up in the air... there's a black humour about it like a cartoon. I think that's what makes the shot so powerful, the juxtaposition of humour with the angst of the dead, abandoned babies. However, although I think this captures an emotion near to desolation, it's not 100% there for me. 9
Add photograph to your favorites
Add photographer to your favorites
Photographer found comment helpful.
