Air Quote by Dian Fossey
“I shall never forget my first encounter with gorillas. Sound preceded sight. Odor preceded sound in the form of an overwhelming, musky-barnyard, humanlike scent. The air was suddenly rent by a high-pitched series of screams followed by the rhythmic rondo of sharp pok-pok chestbeats from a great silverbacked male obscured behind what seemed an impenetrable wall of vegetation.”
About This Quote
Source Memoir: "Gorillas in the Mist", 1983
Her first encounter with gorillas was dominated by sound and smell before sight, highlighting the sensory richness of wildlife observation.
In simple terms: Encounter began with sound and smell before seeing the animal.
Key Takeaway
Pay attention to all senses when observing nature.
Themes
nature
wildlife
observation
sensory experience
anthropology
Mood
wonderful
reflective
Type
descriptive
observational
When to use this quote
- safari
- research expedition
- conservation education
Key Concepts
sensory perception
animal behavior
field research
Questions to Reflect On
- What does each sense reveal about animal behavior?
- How can we train ourselves to notice subtle cues?
A Different Perspective
Sensory focus may miss visual details.
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