Tuesday 13 June 2017

Bison

See Ecology.

Sight
Morning sun on bison almost to the edge of sight.

Scent
The wind brings their scent, "...a wild musky smell." (p. 429)

Sound
Audible:
tens of thousands of -
hooves, felt like a vibration;
jaws tearing grass and plants;
rumbling ruminant stomachs; (p. 434)
bison in thunderous flight when attacked. (p. 435)

A truly monstrous appeal to three senses

3 comments:

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Paul!

Hmmm, a "monstrous appeal" by Stirling to three of the sense? Maybe, but fully worthy of having been created by Poul Anderson and certainly in his tradition of writing.

Sean

S.M. Stirling said...

There are comparable sights today. I've seen the annual migration into the northern Serengeti and Masai-Mara, and the total moving animal mass is stunning.

Sean M. Brooks said...

Dear Mr. Stirling,

Good! And a bit surprising, considering what I have read of the problems caused by illegal poaching of many animals in Africa.

Sean