If you're not squeamish please enlarge some of these photos of the hunt.
The chameleon would have remained well-hidden if he had stayed still.
His fatal error was to run when Lara and I started down the old stone stairs.
Lara saw him move.
.
You could almost hear his silent scream as Lara's claws pierced him.
Belly up.
The tail hung from the cat's mouth as she did what born-in-the-wild hunter carnivores do..
As I heard the crunching sounds, a little wave of doubt or even shame passed over me.
Maybe I should have helped the chameleon escape before Lara's first pounce . . . .
instead of my first reaction being "Run for the camera, Dina! For the blog, for Camera-Critters!"
.
I know exactly how you feel..you know it's natural instincts and part of nature, but still you close your eyes and cringe! You really can't see him, maybe if he was smart and played possum! :D
ReplyDeleteWell, this is a fascinating series of photos. Pays to have camera on the ready. I am amused sometimes at our revulsion of these natural instincts when so many people think nothing of eating animals. Ironic, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteAnd it was a cute chameleon. At this level, I understand the laws of nature just fine. It's man's behavior that is so perplexing... I mean, isn't that why we have a brain, a conscience? Anyway, great captures of this little hunt, Dina. And glad to read the night heat is diminishing.
ReplyDeleteThat's what cats do - I used to have some and they would bring me "gifts." I always had that little twinge of guilt too.
ReplyDeleteWell, that's what cats do. Our 'tame' pussycats are still very close to their big sabretooth wearing ancestors.
ReplyDeleteWow! You got an amazing series of photos. It was sad for the chameleon, but the cat has a right to eat, too. I'm afraid it's all part of nature.
ReplyDeleteOur cat used to be a deadly hunter, even catching squirrels and rabbits. Now he is too fat and lazy.
ReplyDeleteAn Arkies Musings
Oh my! I hate when my cats do this!
ReplyDeleteMy kitty brought us a dead mouse last night, he did not eat it, but did try to bring in inside with hime, I had to draw the line at that.
ReplyDeleteNice sequence. I know that cats do that, but I would have seen the chamaleon safe: cats have lots of different foods to eat, for example the canned food made expressly for them!
ReplyDeleteI bet this is not the first chameleon and also not the last one he will eat. Great pictures.
ReplyDeleteNature is often cruel. It's the circle of life. Those are great shots, no reason to feel guilty. Cats have to eat, too.
ReplyDeleteI know it's nature at work but it is always a bit shocking to see live food eaten...
ReplyDeleteAwww...survival of the fittest. We had a dog and cat (at diff times in my life) growing up that would leave gifts outside the door for us. Never a lizard. Mostly, birds, moles, bats, and mice.
ReplyDeleteGood life pictures though.
http://reesspace.blogspot.com/2010/09/camera-critters-spider.html