Why a Mountain Goat Photo Made Me Sing

Ron Green, Colorado Springs

High on a hill
Was a lonely goatherd

Ho-de-lay-ho-de-lay
Ho-de-lay-hi-hoo
Loud was the voice
Of the lonely goatherd
Ho-de-lay-ho-de-lay

Ho-de-loo

Sound of Music fans will recognize the above as lyrics to “The Lonely Goatherd”. It’s the song I found myself singing when I saw this striking photo entered into the 41st annual National Wildlife Photo Contest. In fact, I couldn’t help but imagine Maria and the Von Trapp children putting on their enthusiastic puppet show that brought down the house. (Or, if you prefer, The Muppets version of the song).

Anyway, it just goes to show that a single photo can happily transport you to another time and place. I think I sang the entire score of the musical before the day was out.

Climb every mountain,
Ford every stream,
Follow every rainbow,
‘Till you find your dream.

However, I wanted to find out the real story behind the photo.  So, I did a little digging and found out that it was taken by Ronald Green of Colorado Springs, CO.  Ron has been photographing mountain goats at Mt. Evans in Colorado for a number of years. He was out one morning searching for goats and wasn’t having much success. But he happened to take one last look and this family suddenly appeared. “I was elated! They really lifted my spirits and urged me to keep shooting.”

Awesome wildlife sighting caught on film?  Now, that’s one of my favorite things!

Visit the contest site today to vote for the People’s Choice Award or enter your own photos for a chance to win a cash prize, iPad or iPod touch.