Guest Big Cats

Hi!  Got a few guest cats for you today!  Let's start off with this one:

 

 As you can probably tell, we've been to the Zoo.  Now, I've two minds about zoos.  I'm all for freedom and letting animals live in their natural habitats unmolested, but I will never have a chance to see any of these creatures in the wild.  And, frankly, I've no desire to see the beast above in the wild, as it would probably eat me.  Anyway, it is a magical thing to see these animals.  They are so perfectly, well....themselves.  I have no other way to describe it.  And I realize that their self-ness is somewhat compromised by their zoo-ness, but they retain that wild core, that alien nature that you can see as they move, that you can see just as they sit and think their private thoughts.  I am no great philosopher, to describe what I feel and think.  I guess my poor photos will have to do.

 We were wandering around during the height of the day.  The cats were resting and thus there are no action shots.  Do have a nice pic of the Bobcat having a nap on the highest point of his habitat:

 
Maddie's probably thinking that this, while high up, this is not nearly so comfortable as her couch-back in the window.

One of our favorite big cats is the ocelot:

 
Though it is such a delicate creature we tend to call it the ocelittle...This one is missing toes on it's right front foot, which is why it's zoo-bound.  Looks like the keepers try to take good care of it.  Evidence?

 
Cat toy in the habitat.  Who knew? 

Of course, there's the king of the beasts.

 
One powerful looking dude.  I feel bad for this guy.  He just lost his mate to cancer.  I realize that cats, in general, don't take on like we do, but it can't be easy.  Of course, maybe he just likes the extra space and not having to put the seat down. 

I've a few more photos, but they're for another post.

What does our own fierce creature think?

 

Losers!  All of 'em.  And don't even tell me about how I'm sitting the same way the puma is.  He's a rank amateur.  None of them better ever show up around here, that's for sure.  No one else gets to sit on my couch! 

Not a problem, dear.

Comments

[Scooby, Shaggy & Scout]

"Not having to put the seat down" Ranger you never fail to put a smile on my face!
Maddie, those big cats are a sight to see but you are a wonder to behold.

[Scooby, Shaggy & Scout]

Just wondering how the knee exam went.

[john]

Why, thank you! You are quite thoughtful. Everything seems to be as good as can possibly be expected. the surgeon says the knee could not feel better. Maddie is *out of the Mewlag*!

'Course, now she seems to have been bitten on the butt by some spider or other. More on this later.

Thanks!