For a research method that has a lot to offer, graphic elicitation is underused; particularly so with groups that could benefit from its use such as farmers. It is especially suited to presenting ideas to sceptical interviewees; in this case farmers who were doubtful about aspects of climate change. The graphic-elicitation method led to a number of interesting observations. Some participants retained their sense of optimism by viewing the graphic -elicitation images in particular ways—they saw in them what they wanted to see. Some had taken actions which could be perceived as responses to climate change adaptations but were really prompted by the more immediate issues of low water availability and commodity prices. Some seemed to maintain optimism by blaming their low water availability on the policies and actions of the government and upstream irrigators; which allowed them to transfer the responsibility for responding to climate change to someone else.