Wild Boar

This is the family of wild boar I spotted at Myakka State Park Friday night and mentioned to a birding couple (who in turn tipped me off to the awesome family of barred owls). Usually, the boar are off the beaten path, deep in the woods rooting around in thick palmettos or tall grass, so they're not easy to see. Rarely do they lift their heads from their foraging, which makes it challenging for us wildlife photographers to get a snout shot.  (See post about the SDP Editor-in-Chief's 2013 "Snout Edict" here.) So, I was surprised to see this family in the open right off the main road in the park.  (The little off white blob left of center is a baby boar.)  They were at least 75-100 yards away and as noisy as can be...ripping, chomping and snorting at the ground. The distance was good for safety but not so good for executing that perfect snout shot.  One of these days, I'll capture it.  

Preoccupied Piggies

Well, the SDP Editor in Chief has issued an edict to the entire staff.  When visiting Myakka State Park we are to do everything within our photographic powers to capture a picture of a wild boar clearly showing a snout.  I watched this family at a distance for quite awhile (as an owl hooted and a red shouldered hawk cawed nearby -- what ambiance!), but to my dismay the boars wouldn't look up. They were preoccupied snarfing dinner.  They kept their heads very low, grazing away, never lifting their snouts. No matter how much I willed them under my breath, it didn't happen. I shall take this wild boar assignment seriously.  Be prepared to see snouts.  One of these days.  On the bright side, it's very cool to see wild boar wandering around the park oblivious to humans.