The massive beast wandered across the Playa at Burning Man, coming straight for me. I quickly got out of its way, but not before I snapped a photo. Wildlife photographers have to take chances! And there is lots of wild life at Burning Man.
As noted in my last post, I’ve been sorting through and categorizing my Burning Man photos from the 11 years I have attended the event: 2004-5-6-7-9-10-12-13-14-15 and 17. I’ve created 15 categories and will do posts on several of my favorites from each category over the next several weeks.
The bigger tribes (groups) at Burning Man often create large mutant vehicles to transport their members around. Many of these come in the form of large animals— like really big animals.
The gargantuan fellow I dodged looked even scarier from the side.I caught up with it at night a few days later at a burn and discovered it had laser eyes, which was even more disturbing. When I was processing photos for this post, however, I noted that the license plate on the front said Wool. The mutant was a sheep. It changed my whole perspective. Who worries about sheep! Going back to the top photo, I saw a friendly animal looking at me.
And why worry about a sheep when there are rhinos and lions and hippos and angry unicorns about! Oh my! Following are my photos of the large mutant animals I have found wandering the Playa during the day and at night. Enjoy.
This rhino is one of my all time favorite mutant vehicles in the Black Rock Desert.Here it is out wandering across the Playa.Here we have the king of lions. Note the Burning Man symbol cut outs on its cheek. Burning Man is ok! I guess.A look at the full lion. My friend, Tom Lovering provides perspective by relaxing on the lion’s tongue! Is he about to become fast food?Another favorite of mine: a mammoth. This fellow was on a potty break. Its passengers had all climbed off to use the port-a-potties.You could crow home about this fellow.Even more so at night.Your friendly, local neighborhood warthog.And a side view. Judging from this unicorn’s face, it had gotten up on the wrong side of the bed.It was still scowling at night.A more elegant unicorn.The Cheshire Cat. Alice would be pleased. She would probably be enamored with Burning Man as well. I always feel like I am in Wonderland. And I am pretty sure that I have seen the Mad Hatter there.And another cat. A very large white one. At least I think it’s a cat. Here’s another animal I am not 100% sure about, but I think it is a hippo.Looking a bit more hippo-ish.There’s no question here. The hippo even came labeled: Hippo Love.One very large canary. I’ll bet it would be good at tweeting. Watch out Donald. You may have competition. (Peggy thinks it’s a rubber ducky.)No cart before the horse here. The horse is part of the cart.The horsecart’s head.A large elephant apparently having fun with a truck.Burning Man is where the Wild Things are. Yum!Folks from the South will recognize this Armadillo mutant vehicle.And I will conclude today’s post with another favorite of mine, a cockeyed frog. I think the tongue is made to shoot out flames. Apparently the frog likes to cook its bugs before it eats them!
NEXT POST: A PCT post if I have the time to put it together. A post on smaller animal mutant vehicles if not. It’s ready to go.
First i thought the chicken was best. Then, I decided it was the Rubber Ducky (yes, I agree with Peggy). But then the Armadillo showed up, and I was smitten. I love armadillos. Of course, I don’t have a yard or garden they’re going to dig up, so affection comes a little easier. Still: they’re such a part of our folklore, they get to pretty much do as they please.
Pretty funny with the armadillo, Linda. I wish we had some around here. I saw lots of dead ones along the highways in the South before I ever met up with a live one, and it was charming. –Curt
Please don’t hold me to this but I believe that the rhino is stored in Petaluma, California. There are other objects and vehicles used at Burning Man there as well.
Petaluma is one of the centers for creating Burning Man art, Tim. Several cities in California and the west have developed substantial art communities around Burning Man. I’ve often thought it would make an interesting book and have it on my list of books to write. (grin)
I’m not sure if I can make the connection but I can ask around if you’re interested.
Coming up, I have a couple of temples (including one honoring Timothy Leary) that were made by the Petaluma group. The temples actually feature photography– strange photography but photography none the less. There have been some articles in the local paper that feature the center. –Curt
I’ll have to explore that and catch up on the postings. I’ve been on assignment for the last 2 1/2 weeks photographing a project my wife is doing for Natomas Charter School in Sacramento entitled Guns into Flowers. You can see more about it on her blog https://janeingramallen.wordpress.com Not many photos as we are waited for all the model releases to come in.
That’s an interesting and worthwhile project, Tim. Good for your wife. I lived in South Natomas when it was still farmland. –Curt
I’ll pass on your comments. Thank you.
You seem to have been around. A positive statement.
Wandering through Time and Place 
WOW! You know I’ve never been to Burning Man. Great pictures!
By the time I get finished with this series, M.B., you will have a fairly good overview of the event, or at least the art part of it. Thanks. –Curt
The horse head and the unicorn and the night rooster! Just wow.
It’s always fun to see which mutant animals appeal to different people, Sylvia. 🙂 –Curt
As you know I adore your Burning Man posts. Almost as good as being there! The rhino wins it for me in this group although the warthog is fascinating.
Thanks, Sue. There are a ‘few’ coming. 🙂 Pretty amazing what the artists can do with metal re the Rhino and the Warthog. –Curt
The Rhino was my favourite until I reached the end and came to the Armadillo!
The armadillo was a big fellow, Andrew. And the look in its eye was one to make you think twice about hitching a ride! –Curt
Glorious beasts! The rhino is rather special.
Aren’t they! The Rhino is quite the hulk! 🙂 –Curt
I always say that kids get all the cool stuff. Now I will have to amend that. Big kids get all the cool stuff.
Laughing, Craig. No doubt about it, there is some pretty cool stuff running around on the Playa durning Burning Man!
First i thought the chicken was best. Then, I decided it was the Rubber Ducky (yes, I agree with Peggy). But then the Armadillo showed up, and I was smitten. I love armadillos. Of course, I don’t have a yard or garden they’re going to dig up, so affection comes a little easier. Still: they’re such a part of our folklore, they get to pretty much do as they please.
Pretty funny with the armadillo, Linda. I wish we had some around here. I saw lots of dead ones along the highways in the South before I ever met up with a live one, and it was charming. –Curt
Please don’t hold me to this but I believe that the rhino is stored in Petaluma, California. There are other objects and vehicles used at Burning Man there as well.
Petaluma is one of the centers for creating Burning Man art, Tim. Several cities in California and the west have developed substantial art communities around Burning Man. I’ve often thought it would make an interesting book and have it on my list of books to write. (grin)
I’m not sure if I can make the connection but I can ask around if you’re interested.
Coming up, I have a couple of temples (including one honoring Timothy Leary) that were made by the Petaluma group. The temples actually feature photography– strange photography but photography none the less. There have been some articles in the local paper that feature the center. –Curt
I’ll have to explore that and catch up on the postings. I’ve been on assignment for the last 2 1/2 weeks photographing a project my wife is doing for Natomas Charter School in Sacramento entitled Guns into Flowers. You can see more about it on her blog https://janeingramallen.wordpress.com Not many photos as we are waited for all the model releases to come in.
That’s an interesting and worthwhile project, Tim. Good for your wife. I lived in South Natomas when it was still farmland. –Curt
I’ll pass on your comments. Thank you.
You seem to have been around. A positive statement.
Certainly lots of places in Sacramento. 🙂
Awesome – stunning. I love all these.
It’s always fun, Satenada, to journey out to Burning Man and admire the latest creations. –Curt