The Snipe Hunt by Ken _Gilliland
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Description
Ever been on a “Snipe” hunt? A snipe hunt, a form of wild goose chase that is also known as a fool's errand, is a type of practical joke that involves experienced people making fun of newcomers by giving them an impossible or imaginary task. The origin of the term is a practical joke where inexperienced campers are told about a bird or animal called the snipe as well as a usually ridiculous method of catching it, such as running around the woods carrying a bag or making strange noises.
In the most popular version of the snipe hunt, especially in the American South, a newcomer is taken deep into the woods late at night and told to make a clucking noise while holding a large sack. The others, who are in on the joke, say that they will sneak away and then walk back towards the newcomer, thereby driving snipes towards the bag holder. The frightened snipes, they say, will be attracted to the clucking noise and easily caught in the bag. The newcomer is then simply left in the dark forest, eventually to realize his gullibility and find his way home or back to camp.
What even most of the pranksters don't know is that the "Snipe" is real. The commom snipe breeds extensively across northern Europe and Asia, then winters in parts of Europe, North Africa, and across southern Asia. It is found almost always in marshes, wetlands, flooded fields, and moist grasslands.
It feeds on insects; primarily earthworms by foraging in the mud for them. The male Common Snipe performs "winnowing" displays during courtship, circling high then diving, producing a distinctive sound as the air flows over specially modified tail feathers. This behavior has given rise to the Finnish name, "Taivaanvuohi", or "sky goat", because the sound is similar to the sound a goat makes.
Snipes are exceptionally difficult to see even for experienced hunters, so much so that the word "sniper" is derived from it to refer to anyone skilled enough to shoot one.
Model Credits: Kids4 (DAZ), Common Snipe (me from my "Songbird ReMix Birds of Legend")
Comments (16)
Richardphotos
excellent scene and idea
kelvinhughes
most excellent Ken well done
Artus1971
nice scene, excelent render, well done
Flint_Hawk
The information you give is always so fascinating! This is a great & fun illustration!
njb2000
The cats are good at catching them as I found just the beak of one on the door step! (Sorry about that) Lovely scene and story!
Irish
Snipe Hunts are fun; I always remember the one from the movie "Home From the Hills"...a real oldie with a very young George Hamilton as the lad they sent on the snip hunt ~ never heard of them until then. Excellent, beautifully done scene!!
Rhanagaz
Wonderful scene! :o)
macbride
beautiful and original
SIGMAWORLD
Beautiful scene!
Kindredsoul
beautiful render...I enjoy seeing kids having fun there, realistic weeds and grasses too.
Kerya
Lovely render - and interesting story. Thank you!
Cimaira
lol, yes, I've heard of "snipe hunts" never participated in one, but I've known a few who have :) Beautiful scene and wonderful pov with all the children busy looking for the snipe!
ragouc
Very good POV and scene.
Brian S.
This is so well made!
aerrynn
A wonderful nature scene and a great POV!
jac204
Nice image. Like Irish, I first heard of snipe hunts in "Home From the Hill" and always assumed not such animal existed.