The Goat and the Bench
I was having dinner in Ajijic, Mexico ( near Guadalajara ) at Billy
Moon's. This villa serves as the artist's gallery, manufacturing center,
and posh restaurant. Yard workers are constantly trimming hedges or watering
plants. Meals are served in the open air patio which has long panels of
curtain sheers blowing softly in the breeze. The asparagus soup had arrived
steaming hot. I was cooling a spoonful when a goat in the courtyard jumped
up on a bench and began eating the leaves of an over hanging tree. I chuckled
at the sight and brought the spoon up to my mouth while the gardener chased
the agile character down. Soon however, the goat worked his way back to
the bench. I grabbed my camera and signaled for the gardener to let me have the shot before shoo-ing the goat off again. This was one of those times
when you just hold your breath and move slowly, hoping the moment won't
pass until you release the shutter. I clicked off a safety shot from the side just
in case I didn't make it all the way around in front of the bench. I carefully set,
focused and.....I got it!! This is one of my favorite photos from 1997.