I had a dream
I had a dream the other day, that large rodents and small rodents, tailed and tailless, brown and black and spotted, would all be featured in a special edition of National Geographic Magazine. That dream is, as yet, unfulfilled. The magazine cover shown above is a sham. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t made progress. It looks like at least one rodent, yours truly, may well appear in this prestigious periodical!
Waiting for the photographer from National Geographic to set up
It all started when Melly got an email from an editor at National Geographic Magazine. Please note that this is the MAGAZINE and NOT the TV Show or the TV Channel. The magazine is the best thing because they have such wonderful photos and what could be more wonderful than a photo of a capybara?
Of course, getting those wonderful photos isn’t easy. It took Vince and his assistant Eric a long time to set up their equipment out at my pool just to try to get one such image. In the meantime, I started watching Sharknado on the SyFy channel with Melly, Coral and Flopsy, the Killer Cat.
This is the dumbest show I ever saw!
It took the photographer a long time to set up but no so long that I had to–I mean, got to–watch all of Sharknado. That show is really long.
You might notice that I am foaming at the mouth a little. I really hope that doesn’t mean I have to go back to the vet.
Getting in the pool
I made quite a production out of getting into the pool. I hope Vince caught all of that nice paw action on film.
Capture my cuteness if you can!
The article is going to be about the human/animal bond when the animal is an exotic. That meant that Vince didn’t just take photos of me, he took photos of me and Melly interacting.
Good day for a swim
It was 105 degrees F on Saturday so I think all of us were glad to be in the water. All of us except Eric, the assistant. He had to stay on land to move the lights and reflectors around and what not. I spent a good three hours in the pool. No reason to get out when people were giving me all that attention!
Smile for the camera!
It’s hard to strike a bunch of different poses for a whole three hours, and that was only part of it! They were actually here both Saturday and Sunday. I’m pretty sure I was cute both days.
I really got comfortable even with Vince in the pool with me
Me and Melly
That’s a pretty cute photo of me and Melly. Coral took that, just imagine the amazing the images Vince must have gotten!
I'm a big capybara
Coral took this with her camera phone! It’s low resolution (well, I cropped it a lot), but I think it is still pretty cute. I am not going to bite Melly on the head, she is getting ready to throw me over backward. That is my favorite game.
I'm cute on land too
Eventually I had to get out! Enough with the pictures already!
Marking my flower
After I get out of the pool, I like to mark the yard a bit just in case another capybara has been roaming around while I was swimming.
But what's this? Still photographing me?
Turns out, Vince was still photographing me. This time it was video for the Nat. Geo. blog or something. Vince says a little video might improve my chances of getting in the magazine. As it happens, I might not actually make the magazine. Vince said he was photographing at least 18 animals and only 12 or so will make the grade. But I am the only rodent he is photographing so I’ll make it, won’t I?
Coral and Flopsy
Talk about the human/animal bond! I’m not sure Coral and Flopsy the Killer Cat actually have one. This is what they looked like while they were waiting for Vince and Eric to pack up their gear.
Out to lunch
We all went out to lunch together and I was super cute! Only I think Vince didn’t have his camera out. And he might be upset that I spilled his beer.
Flopsy and I are exhausted!
It was a long two days and at the end of it Flopsy and I were exhausted. Vince was still taking some video but I’m afraid it is going to look just like a still–no action whatsoever.
The magazine with my image in it–if there is one–won’t be until at least Feb. 2014. That is a long time from now so we will probably all have forgotten about it. Then it will be a pleasant surprise to find me in it, or not so terribly disappointing if I am not there.
Well done, Gari! You’ve hit the frontpage! I am delighted to see this!
I really hope you will be in the magazine since we get it each month. YAYY Gari 🙂
Great story! You did look cute both days — both in the water and on land – how could you not! I think the beer spillage is just a “hazard” of the job that Vince is used to 🙂
Wonderful photos! When does that issue hit the stands? I have got to get a copy!!!!
I think it was a very nice experience for you, Melly, Coral and Flopsy. The best part was that you could stay in the pool for 3 hours…. Yay!!!
Oh, you spilled Vince’s beer!
Hope you had fun! 🙂
First of all, a nicely written blog, and nice pictures too. Thank you for sharing with us.
Spilled the beer? not a problem, provided that the tap was left on…..I don’t think Vince would mind to have one more…and one more…Oops, still got work to do in the afternoon.
To summarize,the shooting experience with the weirdest pet in the world, is “having no movement while taking videos, and moving around while taking stills…”
Good one! Looking forward to reading about you guys on the NG Magazine.
Gari this is priceless. I must admit I truly fell for the “Special All Rodent Issue”. I have not subscribed to NG for many years now, and hope there will be a way to get myself an issue when you make your debut next February. (I have no doubt you will be chosen.) Thanks for sharing another superb adventure Gari and Melanie!
Well done, big boy! It seems to me that the next Valentine’s day issue of the magazine is the very one for you!
I can’t believe there is one person who could resist your charm! Especially in National Geographic!
I hope you get in the magazine! That pic of Coral and Flopsy is a classic!
Gari, I’m really happy for you ! =) Gari, мин синең өчен бик шат (the Tatar language)!=)
Oh boy! I can’t wait until next February!! Good job, Gari and Melly…
This was SO fantastic!!
Even Coral’s pics are just splendid!!
I’m very excited abt this…you had BETTER be in NatGeo….or there will be words!!!!
I hope you make it into the magazine Gari! Please keep us posted. You did a great job of posing, such a regal capy.
My Sweet Handsome Gari, WOW with the looks of these beautiful photos, I have no doubt at all that you WILL be on the cover and in the National Geographic Magazine. You are such a natural. Yes, February is a ways off, but with the way time flies, it will be here before you know it. And a Valentine month. It’s perfect!!! Your perfect my love! And Melly looks so pretty. You are making a STAR out of her too. How awesome is that?
I hope you make it into the magazine. I would surely buy that issue 🙂
I certainly hope you are in the magazine!! I can’t imagine them excluding you and Melly. You are a must!