The scene that appears on my computer screen as I first open it is a scenic shot from somewhere in the world.?ÿ A waterfall in Switzerland or a sailing regatta in Australia or.................
The one that just popped up showed a llama in a national park in the Andes in Ecuador.?ÿ I have experience with llamas as I have owned nearly 50 at one time.?ÿ The llama in the photo is looking directly at the photographer.?ÿ Makes for a nice portrait.?ÿ BUT.....it's ears are laying flat against it's head.?ÿ That means it is NOT HAPPY.?ÿ I bet about two seconds later the llama spit directly into the face of the photographer.?ÿ That IS NOT a pleasant experience, as I can attest from multiple occasions.?ÿ Llamas chew a cud, similar to cattle, so the spit is more cud juice than saliva.?ÿ The aroma left behind will be reminiscent of whatever plants the llama is attempting to digest.
Just south of Coarsegold CA on the east side of Hwy 41, (there's a subdivision there now) was "Safari World". It was a local zoo-wild animal park. We could hear the Lions roar in the evening, as they were fed.
My mom thought big ears were cute. Always wanted a pet donkey. Well, she met this llama at Safari World. Mom thought she had a friend. As she talked with it, the llama made various sounds. Put its ears back, and launched a good 10 ounce load of green juice into her face. Mom went to wash. It took her a couple of days to clean up the smell.
Mom never did establish camaraderie with that cute llama.
But she did discover not all cute things are nice things. A lesson many men also have learned.
Nate
