Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Our neighbors the jackals

Jackal! I finally got a good shot of a jackal!
Just in time for ABC Wednesday "J" day.
I was walking silently on the path in the woods, on the part that is covered with soft pine needles. Suddenly I saw a jackal standing on the path, looking out over the valley. He didn't notice me! I turned on the camera behind my back, trying to muffle the sound.
Then he saw me. I knew the minute I moved the camera he would run. So we both just stood and stared at each other. I was so enjoying being that close to a wild animal.
A second jackal came up behind the first and must have said, "What are you doing?! That's a human--let's get out of here!" Only then did I raise the camera and shoot.
Don't you love the look on his pretty face?! (even better when you enlarge the photo)
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Jackal groups howling next to my house and in the woods can be heard on a short sound clip here. They are very funny.
To see a majestic jackal in the snow please see my post "In defense of jackals."
And to have a laugh, see "Danger lurking in the night" starring Shachar the Cat and a prowling jackal.
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28 comments:

  1. An interesting story and picture. Lucky you to get this photo.

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  2. Jackals for neighbours. My most exotic neighbour is a seagull.

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  3. I enjoyed all your linked jackal posts, but will comment only here. You have convinced me that they are charming animals,intelligent and wary. I hope everyone enlarges the photo to get an even better view.

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  4. Everybody MUST click on the photo to see that wonderful creature larger. You're right, his face is lovely and expressive. You shot a wonderful photo.

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  5. hello! I have not seen a jackal before. out of curiosity ,I listen to the sound clip... I thought jackals are like dogs but they sounded somewhat like cats! Funny indeed. Thank you for sharing.

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  6. Wonderful shot! I will also be posting a wild animal for ABC Wednesday J (but not till tomorrow).

    Kate
    cholulared.blogspot.com

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  7. Dina, I love this picture of the Jackal, the first thing I did wsd to enlarge it. It really looks like a cros between a fox and wolf. Wild creatures are so beautiful.
    I looked at the others too, but could not get the sound for the howling.

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  8. Well, we've gone all the way to Jerusalem Hills to be enlightened about Jackals.

    Here, in North Carolina, one of the "old time" songs from previous centuries has a line in the chorus, "can't you hear Jerusalem mourn?" Well, listening to the sound clip of the Jackals brings to mind that line in the song, "Can't you hear Jerusalem mourn?".......

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  9. Thanks for sharing - I've never seen a live jackal. And the one looking at your cat, wow those eyes are burning in the night!

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  10. Wow - imagine being that close...Wow. Neat capture!

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  11. He's handsome! A little like a coyote, but better looking. I've had a similar experience with a coyote. What a blessing to share that moment with a wild creature.

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  12. I enlarged the photo and had a good look at the little fellow. Very nice, with the back light. Are they dangerous?

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  13. He looks a little surprised and not a little indignant about this "creature" invading its space. And curious too.

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  14. Wonderful shot, Dina! You've photographed the jackal so well!Here, our neighbours are pigeons: something quite different!

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  15. You've got interesting neighbours.I have never seen a jackal except in the zoo.It looks just like a doggy. Lovely shot Dina!

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  16. That is a beautiful photo! I love the way he is silhouetted against the green light. He looks like a red version of our coyotes, but they definitely sound different. The jackals sounded much more feline to me.

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  17. What a wonderful face (and fur!) he has. Great catch!

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  18. How wonderful, Dina! I envy you! It's a beautiful animal. Thank you for your visit to my concentration camp. I answered your comment on my blog!

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  19. Oh wow .. that was a most entertaining post for 'J'! I love the sound of the howlings, they sound like a cross between cats and peacocks! LOL!

    And the pictures of Shachar and the jackal are priceless! I'm glad he didn't get eaten!

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  20. Great photo! Especially enlarged...beautiful animal...and beautiful trees also...

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  21. What a great - and lucky - shot! I listened to the clip of jackals and I would be terrified if they howled like that outside my home! Does that make me a wuss? Or are you just used to it!? Great post x

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  22. Dina,
    One of my most wonderful memories (there are SO many)is of hearing the Jackals on Moshav Kisalon for the very first time. I love to hear them, although the first time was scarry.
    Thanks

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  23. The jackal seems rather puzzled as though he can't quite figure out what to make of you. Fuuun...

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  24. It a beautiful photo too, Dina! How lucky that you were able to get such a great shot. Cute story too!

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  25. What a magical moment. Excellent capture!

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  26. Dina - that is AWESOME!!! We have LOTS of coyotes here, and I must admit, sometimes the sounds they make cause the hair to stand up on the back of my neck ;-)

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  27. I'm glad that they live by your house & not mine!

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