Sentry

He stands as tall as I do, but until he is pointed out, I do not see him. In fact, when I finally accept his presence, I am amazed that I could have missed him at all. With an outstretched arm, I could have gently stroked his unkempt coat.

He doesn’t so much stare, as consider me. Bravely and diligently, this diminutive hero acts as sentry for his community and their month-old pups. His posture, as he watches, has the characteristic uprightness of the meerkat.

How could I have missed so rare an opportunity to encounter this personality so close?

I had been watching an animal of completely different stature. My lens had been firmly fixed on the heads of giraffes, picking selectively off high branches with their purple tongues. The photo I sought was for my future sister-in-law and my attention was solely focused on its composition.

 But my furry friend was undeterred and willingly held his pose so that I could take this shot before I returned to the less accommodating giraffes. I am grateful for his co-operation.