There is an old guessing game (in the US, anyway) that dates back to the age of radio. There was more self-entertainment then, and one of the entertainments was Twenty Questions. In this game someone kept something in mind (a name, a place, a thing, etc) and the others attempted to identify it by asking no more than 20 questions. The first question, which did not count as one of the 20, was "Is it animal, vegetable, or mineral?" Following this, players then asked questions one at a time, questions which may be answered in terms of yes or no.

This month's assignment is to make a photo that typifies the first category, animal. Think about the game, then think about categories which would led to the answer "animal", then make a photo. We will deal with the other categories in later assignments.

So, for this month's assignment, make a photo of something animal. Try to do it in the context of the game, but animal it must illustrate. If you have something especially subtle or interesting, please explain it in your photographer's comment.

To qualify for this month's assignment,
• Submit a photo taken of something animal

If you have any questions, email an admin. If your photo is deemed to not meet our assignment criteria and hence removed, please accept our decision graciously. Our decisions are not subjects for debate, so if you are not sure, ask first. To include your entry in the assignment, just check off the box that says 2012 01 ~ 20 Questions: Animal. You can view previous assignments here. You may submit as many photos as you like into the assignment. Good luck!

This assignment will be enabled on February 1 and run through February 29.

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From sheenawilkie/Administrator (0) on February 2, 2012 1:27:22 AM CST Thanks for putting this together for us Del! Reply

From loiswakeman/Lois (16,401) on February 2, 2012 3:20:43 AM CST Cue cute kittens! :-) Nice one Del - and as a geology graduate with a keen interest in both botany and zoology, I look forward to this series. Reply

From captaindon/Don (11,677) on February 2, 2012 10:15:47 AM CST I am not sure that I understand exactly what you are looking for. I get the impression that you are not looking for just a simple picture of an animal like a deer or bear or household pet. I think you are looking for something that illustrates animalism? I just don't quite know what you are really after. Sorry, sometimes I just don't get it. Perhaps if you could post a couple of examples. Thanks Don Reply

From loiswakeman/Lois (16,401) on February 2, 2012 10:55:17 AM CST I'm sure Del will elucidate, but as it's in the theme of the programme, I'd guess we have to take a shot that isn't readily identifiable as a complete animal? Reply

From del/Administrator (0) on February 2, 2012 12:08:53 PM CST Not really; see my answer to Don. Del Reply

From del/Administrator (0) on February 2, 2012 12:08:19 PM CST Try it in the context of the game. If I were the answerer and you the questioner, I might have in my mind "the Queen Mary" thinking of the ocean liner now located in Long Beach, California. If I were thinking of one of the historic queens of England, I would answer the first question as "animal". But if I were thinking of the ship, I would answer "mineral". Now, how would you illustrate either of these answers in the context of the game? For mineral, a photo of a ship. For animal, a photo of a regal-looking lady. With that said, don't be surprised at photos that are not in the spirit of the assignment. These topics are very broad, compared to most recent ones, and any topic gets abused by people who don't understand the assignment, don't know about the assignment, or don't care about the assignment. This is a mental game I ask you to play every month, with players responses in the form of photographs. Some play by the simple rules I publish, some don't. I like to think that those who play by the rules have more fun. Del Reply

From captaindon/Don (11,677) on February 2, 2012 1:21:47 PM CST Thanks for the response. I am still on shaky ground but if I think of something, I will give it a try, but chances are I will wind up waiting for next month's assignment. Don Reply

From del/Administrator (0) on February 2, 2012 2:59:50 PM CST It might not be better, Don. Next month is vegetable. Reply

From tvernuccio/Sheila (37,104) on February 2, 2012 2:10:36 PM CST I'm confused too, Del, even after you explained it in more detail. :( Reply

From del/Administrator (0) on February 2, 2012 2:55:36 PM CST If it is something that is typically behind the glass or inside the cage at the zoo, it is animal. If it is something that is typically between the walkways at the zoo, it is vegetable. If it is the cages or habitats at the zoo, it is mineral. No need to make this too hard. For extra self-satisfaction points, do the assignment after giving thought to something which could be the subject of this guessing game, and must be classified as animal, vegetable, or mineral. Reply

From tvernuccio/Sheila (37,104) on February 3, 2012 12:23:02 AM CST Thanks Del. :) Reply

From karin2007/Karin (19,610) on February 2, 2012 2:49:18 PM CST As I don't know this game I googled : "Animal, Vegetable, or Mineral?" and got this definition English people define everything as being either Animal (if it is alive) Vegetable (if it grows) or Mineral (if it isn't alive, doesn't grow and comes from the ground.) bit confusing .... So for this part of the assignment I should  take a photo of something that is alive and the others have to guess what/who it is? I already see a butterfly and a pigeon  being submitted .... but that's not how you meant it, or?  I can't figure out what exactly I have to do for this assignment ... any more hints from you, Del? Reply

From del/Administrator (0) on February 2, 2012 2:59:28 PM CST There are more detailed definitions for animal, dealing with ability to reproduce, get its own food, etc. And most vegetable stuff is chlorophyll based (but not all vegetables, such as mushrooms). Mineral is neither; not alive or growing in any sense; think rocks and metals. In a strict sense, neither of the first two should be there because I assume they did not give much thought, and maybe did not even realize there is an assignment. But having set the rules, I stick by them, so they can stay. As I told Sheila, don't make it too difficult, and give yourself extra points for thinking of something that could be an object in this game before making the photo. [Edit: You don't have to expect anyone to guess what it is. That part of the game is just that, a game. This assignment uses the game as an example. But, feel free to add comments to the photo and engage viewers in the spirit of the game.] Del Reply

From karin2007/Karin (19,610) on February 2, 2012 3:16:10 PM CST Thanks Del, I try to get it Reply

From swanda/John (1,023) on February 3, 2012 7:53:09 AM CST It might open up the assignment to remember that people are animals. Reply

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