
Leopards are often touted as being the most aggressive of the cats, and while that is certainly a truism and there is much fact to lend it credence, there are other moments, those tiny “snapshots of time”, that seems to capture those instants that are so absurdly out-of-place and don’t fit into the realities of the “norm”. I think this picture is one of those types.
This is another pic of Macumba, my youngest “son”. While he can be both fierce and snarly to people, and perhaps even a bit grumbly to me, there are other cherished moments when he can simply have a need to have some fun.
There is just something so very amusing, I think, of those tilted-head expressions that animals can sometimes give us silly humans, and you must simply ponder what thoughts they /must/ be thinking. This is one such picture that I think has captured that expression, not only of amusement and play, but of the display of what I can only interpret as complex thought of some kind. I don’t know; you be the judge. Are they just “stupid animals”? Personally, I don’t think so. There is a /lot/ of something going on behind those bright eyes. And with those Evil Spotted Things, one never knows what mischief they might be dreaming up!
So this Macumba, in one of those more uplifting, head-tilt moments. On the surface, one might only imagine that the leopard just wants to leap and land on one’s head. But the expression, I think, says differently. It more like:
“Hey! You! Yeah /you/! Wanna play?”
Nothing can see the world quite like a camera; another Priceless Moment, captured to be shared!
This picture was taken 14-Feb-04. The image was taken with a Canon EOS 10D and the EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 USM lens. The original was taken at full frame of 3072x2048x24b, ISO eqv 400, 1/125 shutter, f/5.6. This image was shrunken down for space conservation.
Disclaimer: I hate to have to put this on here, but the pic is copyright me. Please do not distribute, copy, alter, etc, without my permission. Having said all that, feel free to download and use it for your own inspiration.
This is another pic of Macumba, my youngest “son”. While he can be both fierce and snarly to people, and perhaps even a bit grumbly to me, there are other cherished moments when he can simply have a need to have some fun.
There is just something so very amusing, I think, of those tilted-head expressions that animals can sometimes give us silly humans, and you must simply ponder what thoughts they /must/ be thinking. This is one such picture that I think has captured that expression, not only of amusement and play, but of the display of what I can only interpret as complex thought of some kind. I don’t know; you be the judge. Are they just “stupid animals”? Personally, I don’t think so. There is a /lot/ of something going on behind those bright eyes. And with those Evil Spotted Things, one never knows what mischief they might be dreaming up!
So this Macumba, in one of those more uplifting, head-tilt moments. On the surface, one might only imagine that the leopard just wants to leap and land on one’s head. But the expression, I think, says differently. It more like:
“Hey! You! Yeah /you/! Wanna play?”
Nothing can see the world quite like a camera; another Priceless Moment, captured to be shared!
This picture was taken 14-Feb-04. The image was taken with a Canon EOS 10D and the EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 USM lens. The original was taken at full frame of 3072x2048x24b, ISO eqv 400, 1/125 shutter, f/5.6. This image was shrunken down for space conservation.
Disclaimer: I hate to have to put this on here, but the pic is copyright me. Please do not distribute, copy, alter, etc, without my permission. Having said all that, feel free to download and use it for your own inspiration.
Category Photography / Animal related (non-anthro)
Species Leopard
Size 1536 x 1024px
File Size 144.9 kB
You know, i honestly think that Macumba has got to be the most beautiful leopard i've ever seen^^, (And yea, you can quote me on that to him:p)
I kept trying to think of something to reply here, but i kept looking at him instead:) I mean... Look at that /perfect/ creature... I think i'm starting to get what you've been trying to tell me all along^^,
Ofcourse, his bodily form might be perfect, i don't think his psyke is:p I think someone is gonna look at me and see a walking steak the day that i finally meet him:s
It's been a while since the last upload from you here^^, I'm glad you didn't leave:) Your pictures are always worth the wait you know^^, I always look forward to them at least;) Really great leopard/Mac shot here^^, Will Drifter be included in your next upload? Do you have any of those shots where Drifter is shown in all his mighty pride? As in, standing proud on a rock, gazing out over his territory, chest high, looking for intruders to maul and eat?^^, I would love to see a picture like that of him^^, I mean, Mountain /Lion/^^,
I kept trying to think of something to reply here, but i kept looking at him instead:) I mean... Look at that /perfect/ creature... I think i'm starting to get what you've been trying to tell me all along^^,
Ofcourse, his bodily form might be perfect, i don't think his psyke is:p I think someone is gonna look at me and see a walking steak the day that i finally meet him:s
It's been a while since the last upload from you here^^, I'm glad you didn't leave:) Your pictures are always worth the wait you know^^, I always look forward to them at least;) Really great leopard/Mac shot here^^, Will Drifter be included in your next upload? Do you have any of those shots where Drifter is shown in all his mighty pride? As in, standing proud on a rock, gazing out over his territory, chest high, looking for intruders to maul and eat?^^, I would love to see a picture like that of him^^, I mean, Mountain /Lion/^^,
I've had the standard "grassy hill" windows XP background on my computer for some time now. I think I've finally found a replacement =3 Thanks a bunch, for a very inspiring, and deceptively cute picture of Macumba. One wouldn't guess that there's a several-hundred pound spring hidden behind all that, taking one look at this moment you've captured.
(Shasta nods) You're very welcome. Enjoy!
One of the most amazing things about all the animals I've worked with is how very aware they are of how fragile /we/ are. Macumba likes to bite quite a bit, but it's very rare that he'll ever break the skin. It happens, but not often. Considering that he's got about a 3000psi bite-pressure at the tips of the canines, that says a lot I think. :)
Animals are truly amazing creatures!
One of the most amazing things about all the animals I've worked with is how very aware they are of how fragile /we/ are. Macumba likes to bite quite a bit, but it's very rare that he'll ever break the skin. It happens, but not often. Considering that he's got about a 3000psi bite-pressure at the tips of the canines, that says a lot I think. :)
Animals are truly amazing creatures!
(Shasta grins) As much as Macumba likes to play, he's always been really good when I've got the camera and am working closely with him. I've gotten some pretty amazing pix of him. Now Drifter! That's an entirely different matter. If /he/ got a hold of the camera, I'd /never/ get it back! :)
(grins) Well, there's certainly a few domestics that are very bold, which I guess is close to just being social. Some are more that way than others, but there's a lot of personality factors too. :)
I've always found some of the most "heavy in personality" kitties to be Saimese, Tuxedo, and Maine Coons. Saimese are fun, as they talk a lot. It's both the coolest thing about them, and the most annoying. :)
I've always found some of the most "heavy in personality" kitties to be Saimese, Tuxedo, and Maine Coons. Saimese are fun, as they talk a lot. It's both the coolest thing about them, and the most annoying. :)
I've had all three, and I loved all of my cats.
My mom has a brown tabby Coon (named Mouse) who's affectionate but aloof, and I have a black Coon mix (named Shaiah) who is very talkative and affectionate.
I also have a 15 pound black Siamese mix (named Deuce) currently and he's a sweetheart, skittish as hell, but sweet. I used to have a 20pound Tonkinese (named Bandit; though he may have been just Siamese now that I think about it) who was very friendly and talkative, and very smart. He liked to snuggle with me at night and gave the best kitty hugs EVAR. I miss him. My mom has an aloof and bitchy Siamese (named Chrissy) who, when she decides she wants to be petted, she will come to you, and if she decides shes done, lets you know on no uncertain terms.
I used to have a very effeminate BnW Tuxedo cat, originally named Mistique because we thought it was female until I suddenly discovered she was really a he, and changed his name to Magic. He was a sweet and very inquisitive cat.
My mom has a brown tabby Coon (named Mouse) who's affectionate but aloof, and I have a black Coon mix (named Shaiah) who is very talkative and affectionate.
I also have a 15 pound black Siamese mix (named Deuce) currently and he's a sweetheart, skittish as hell, but sweet. I used to have a 20pound Tonkinese (named Bandit; though he may have been just Siamese now that I think about it) who was very friendly and talkative, and very smart. He liked to snuggle with me at night and gave the best kitty hugs EVAR. I miss him. My mom has an aloof and bitchy Siamese (named Chrissy) who, when she decides she wants to be petted, she will come to you, and if she decides shes done, lets you know on no uncertain terms.
I used to have a very effeminate BnW Tuxedo cat, originally named Mistique because we thought it was female until I suddenly discovered she was really a he, and changed his name to Magic. He was a sweet and very inquisitive cat.
Leopards can do their share of snuggling - as proved in: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/383156/ - but as always, the problems usually come in when they try and hug you back! Leopards are such violent creatures, don’cha know. :)
LOL! yea. I don't think the big cats intend to harm for the most pert, They're just so big and strong that it's easy for them to hurt us. But I also think that they're more like housecats than people realize, they just turn to the "Fight" side, instead of the "Flight" if you know what i mean.
Well, one things I've learned, and try to impart onto people, is that a cat is essentially a cat, is a cat, is a cat. Sure, they come in different shapes and sizes, but instinctually and behaviorally, they're all much the same. Felines are strange and awesome creatures, as are so many of the "animal kingdom". :)
Oh, thisis such a great picture! I love leopards, they are so amazing, and whatever pic you shoot of them, it will be amazing cute :)
The funny fact is, that a white lioncub in our local zoo is named Macumba/Makumba too, i never heard of this name before, but it looks as it's a popular name for Felines =P
The funny fact is, that a white lioncub in our local zoo is named Macumba/Makumba too, i never heard of this name before, but it looks as it's a popular name for Felines =P
(Shasta grins belatedly) It mostly depends on the part of the world you're from. "Macumba" (or Makumba, as you pointed out) are a Brazilian form of Voodoo, if you believe in that sort of thing, which makes it a rather fitting name for a feline, especially those of very aggressive natures such as jags and leopards. But to your point, I've never seen a leopard that wasn't extremely photogenic. They are truly magnificent beasts!
Thank you for the explanation of the name, i think it's really a good name for big felines. Unfortunately not really fitting for our makumba http://www.furaffinity.net/view/3832679/ here :(
He is still a cub, but it's nearly sure that he won't survive this year. The zoo where he came from took him away to soon from his mother. there are now problems with his head/brain because his head grows to slow for his brain and hurts like hell. There still was a surgery that was successful, but something is still not good. He does not eat enough to be strong enough for another surgery :(
He is such a poor little lion...
He is still a cub, but it's nearly sure that he won't survive this year. The zoo where he came from took him away to soon from his mother. there are now problems with his head/brain because his head grows to slow for his brain and hurts like hell. There still was a surgery that was successful, but something is still not good. He does not eat enough to be strong enough for another surgery :(
He is such a poor little lion...
That's very well said. I never loose the hope for him, but it's hard for me because i live so far away from this zoo..
I will never loose my passion for the animals, but it's really sad i'll never come close to them, and will stay a normal guest in the zoo. There's no way to interact with them and this hurts me :(
I will never loose my passion for the animals, but it's really sad i'll never come close to them, and will stay a normal guest in the zoo. There's no way to interact with them and this hurts me :(
Please forgive my two-year+ absence. Life, for a while, has been a bit overwhelming and depressing, but I'm trying to recover and get back into things here (hopefully updating my page here eventually).
It's hard to offer and real hope with only words. I know your pain. Sometimes, viewing these animals from a distance is an agony all by itself. All I can really do is say, reach out over the internet, and see what "distance support" you can offer to any organization which you find compelling. Some of them are very good, and can always use help in the more "administrative" rolls, like fund-raising, mailing, website updates, etc, etc. There are always ways to "help" the animals, even from a distance, and then benefit is, you'll get to feel the rewards in your own life for having done something worthwhile for the animals. It's a good feeling. :)
It's hard to offer and real hope with only words. I know your pain. Sometimes, viewing these animals from a distance is an agony all by itself. All I can really do is say, reach out over the internet, and see what "distance support" you can offer to any organization which you find compelling. Some of them are very good, and can always use help in the more "administrative" rolls, like fund-raising, mailing, website updates, etc, etc. There are always ways to "help" the animals, even from a distance, and then benefit is, you'll get to feel the rewards in your own life for having done something worthwhile for the animals. It's a good feeling. :)
In the meantime Macumba died shortly after our last posts, very sad story. Lost many tears for him. His Friend the lioness has now a new companion and they like each other... that's great, because she was very sad then as well when Macumba died. Now since some Years i have more access tho the animals, and can pet her. She is very lovely and likes to be petted. I spend everything i can to this zoo, so there is no way i could do anything for any other organisation. I use all my money and free time to rebuld/repair and optimize this zoo. and i hope the very best for its future....
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