Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Felidae

Fortunately, this Cougar was seen at the Calgary Zoo, on 3 November 2014, and not in the wild! Well, at least lucky for me, but not for the Cougar. The Zoo has a pair of these powerful animals and every time I see them, I can't help but feel very thankful that I've never come across one in the wild. I always say that I would rather come across a Bear than a Cougar, any day! I always find these animals difficult to photograph, as they are usually striding along in their enclosure. Also, when other people are watching, too, their reflections in the glass spoil any shots you try to take. Every once in a while, I manage to get a shot that turns out OK. "This powerful predator roams the Americas, where it is also known as a puma, cougar, mountain lion and catamount. This big cat of many names is also found in many habitats, from Florida swamps to Canadian forests. Mountain lions like to prey on deer, though they also eat smaller animals such as coyotes, porcupines, and raccoons. They usually hunt at night or during the gloaming hours of dawn and dusk. These cats employ a blend of stealth and power, stalking their prey until an opportunity arrives to pounce, then going for the back of the neck with a fatal bite. They will hide large carcasses and feed on them for several days. Mountain lions once roamed nearly all of the United States. They were prized by hunters and despised by farmers and ranchers who suffered livestock losses at their hands. Subsequently, by the dawn of the 20th century, mountain lions were eliminated from nearly all of their range in the Midwest and Eastern U.S.—though the endangered Florida panther survives. Today, whitetail deer populations have rebounded over much of the mountain lion's former range and a few animals have appeared in more eastern states such as Missouri and Arkansas. Some biologists believe that these big cats could eventually recolonize much of their Midwest and Eastern range—if humans allow them to do so. In most western U.S. states and Canadian provinces, populations are considered sustainable enough to allow managed sport hunting. Mountain lions require a lot of room—only a few cats can survive in a 30-square-mile (78-square-kilometer) range. They are solitary and shy animals, seldom seen by humans. While they do occasionally attack people—usually children or solitary adults—statistics show that, on average, there are only four attacks and one human fatality each year in all of the U.S. and Canada." From National Geographic website. animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/mountain-l...

One of the two beautiful Snow Leopards at the Calgary Zoo, taken on 3 November 2014, when I spent a few hours there with my youngest daughter. This rock ledge became a sleeping place for this tired animal. Sadly, the Status for Snow Leopards is Endangered. "Snow leopards live between 3,000 and 5,500 metres (9,800 and 18,000 ft) above sea level in the rocky mountain ranges of Central and South Asia. Their secretive nature means that their exact numbers are unknown, but it has been estimated that between 3,500 and 7,000 snow leopards exist in the wild and between 600 and 700 in zoos worldwide." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_leopard ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Our weather took a turn for the worse yesterday evening, 8 November 2014. After a sunny day, freezing fog developed later evening, just when I had to drive home from part way across the city. It was the annual supper for a group I belong to and it was a very pleasant evening. Always good to catch up with friends. There is a warning that our roads are going to turn into “skating rinks” – never good news. Temperatures will plunge and this afternoon will be -6C with snow all day today and all day tomorrow (Monday). Temperature will be down to -14C on Tuesday, but at least the sun should be shining. I have to drive south of the city today and I’m not looking forward to it. It's -6C as I type at 6:00 am (windchill -12C) and it snowed overnight). I am so not ready for this!!

Fortunately, this Cougar was seen at The Calgary Zoo on 6 October 2014, and not in the wild! Well, at least lucky for me, but not for the Cougar. The Zoo has a pair of these powerful animals and every time I see them, I can't help but feel very thankful that I've never come across one in the wild. "This powerful predator roams the Americas, where it is also known as a puma, cougar, mountain lion and catamount. This big cat of many names is also found in many habitats, from Florida swamps to Canadian forests. Mountain lions like to prey on deer, though they also eat smaller animals such as coyotes, porcupines, and raccoons. They usually hunt at night or during the gloaming hours of dawn and dusk. These cats employ a blend of stealth and power, stalking their prey until an opportunity arrives to pounce, then going for the back of the neck with a fatal bite. They will hide large carcasses and feed on them for several days. Mountain lions once roamed nearly all of the United States. They were prized by hunters and despised by farmers and ranchers who suffered livestock losses at their hands. Subsequently, by the dawn of the 20th century, mountain lions were eliminated from nearly all of their range in the Midwest and Eastern U.S.—though the endangered Florida panther survives. Today, whitetail deer populations have rebounded over much of the mountain lion's former range and a few animals have appeared in more eastern states such as Missouri and Arkansas. Some biologists believe that these big cats could eventually recolonize much of their Midwest and Eastern range—if humans allow them to do so. In most western U.S. states and Canadian provinces, populations are considered sustainable enough to allow managed sport hunting. Mountain lions require a lot of room—only a few cats can survive in a 30-square-mile (78-square-kilometer) range. They are solitary and shy animals, seldom seen by humans. While they do occasionally attack people—usually children or solitary adults—statistics show that, on average, there are only four attacks and one human fatality each year in all of the U.S. and Canada." From National Geographic website. animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/mountain-l...

A single, quick shot of a stuffed Lynx, part of a display at a visitor's centre at Bow Valley Provincial Park the day before yesterday, 18 June 2013. At least, I'm pretty sure it's a Lynx - I think we only have the Lynx and Bobcat, and this animal does have the long, black tufts on the ear tips. I've never seen one in the wild, but would love to - same with a Bobcat. This park is west of Calgary, on the very eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains and is a well-known location for birds and especially wildflowers. Unfortunately, it rained for almost the whole time we were out there, while we walked all round Middle Lake (seen in my photo above), then walked to and around Many Springs and then back to the cars at Middle Lake. From there, we drove down to the River and, as the sun was now out, we did just a short, very slow-paced, very enjoyable walk through the trees along the river's edge. Lol, I was totally exhausted by the time I got home - I'm used to slow-paced walks/hikes, stopping all the time to take photos. This was (for me) a fast-paced hike, apart from the river walk, which my body can't cope with, ha. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_lynx -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yesterday afternoon, I called in at the Calgary Zoo, and found one of the beautiful, endangered Amur Tiger cubs (born on 30 March 2012) feasting on some rather disgusting looking part of an animal. The adult female and this cub's two siblings were also all in the small, separate enclosure, spending time relaxing in the sun. Poor Mom could barely keep awake - and no wonder, with three energetic youngsters to look after. Every once in a while, one of the other cubs would slowly inch towards the feeding cub, hoping to get the food for itself, but the cub in my photo did a great job of defending his meal. The colour of this cub is exaggerated in my photo - there were so many people viewing through the glass and so many people seem to wear white or light coloured clothing, which reflects horribly in the dirty glass. Took two or three of my photos using a different setting, resulting in more vivid colour, but at least I was able to capture better detail. Later note added on 7 October 2012: Tigers that used to be known as Siberian Tigers are now known as Amur Tigers. The name change is because their range now only includes the Amur Valley in Eastern Siberia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siberian_tiger Wishing my family and friends, and all Canadians everywhere, a very Happy Thanksgiving. We have SO much to be thankful for, even in difficult or sad times. Enjoy this long weekend - and if you are driving, please drive carefully and don't drink and drive!

The three endangered Amur Tiger cubs, born on 30 March 2012, have grown so quickly. Though perhaps not as cute as when they were first allowed out for the public to see, it is still fun to watch them play and intereact with Mum and each other.

I am so thankful that I got this photo through glass and not out in the wild, ha! So far, I've never come across a Cougar while out on a walk or hike. Would prefer to come across a bear than one of these big cats, anyday. Taken at the Calgary Zoo on 8 September 2012, a day of very harsh sunlight - most of my photos from that day did not come out. Thinking of the victims of 9/11 and their families today. A day people will never forget.

Just managed to get a couple of quick shots of this beautiful, endangered Snow Leopard in between metal bars, which unfortunately, but understandably, have another fence outside them, between the visitors and the enclosure. Almost impossible to get even a half-decent shot of the two Big Cats, but sometimes you just get lucky. Taken at the Calgary Zoo on 28 September 2012. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_leopard

Much as I don't like seeing zoo "bars" in my photos, there is nothing I can do about it sometimes : ) This is one of the three beautiful, endangered Amur Tiger cubs, born March 30, 2012 at the Calgary Zoo. What a sad, sad day it would be if these majestic animals became extinct. Just occurred to me that this photo might give the impression that the cub is "depressed". Trust me, all three are such fun to watch because they are so active and playful and when Mum is there, too, they love to climb all over her, including when she is enjoying the small pool in that part of the enclosure.

The adult female (i.e. Mom) made her way into the tiny pool in this separated area that is used when certain of the Amur Tigers at the Calgary Zoo have to be kept away from the other adult Tigers. Her three cubs, born March 30, 2012, joined her instantly and had great fun climbing over her back and playing with her tail - they love it in there! Photographed though a very dirty window with reflections of all the people watching in front of me and behind me, but a little darkening made it fit to post : ) Taken on 21 August 2012.

I finally made it to the Calgary Zoo yesterday afternoon - I desperately needed endless colourful and beautiful things to photograph, lol. Luckily, when I passed the endangered Amur Tiger area, the three baby Tigers came outside for a short while. This one was just emerging from the covered, closed area, where you can just make out the mother lying down inside. There were so many people standing there and there always seemed to be tall people wearing light-coloured clothing that created really bad reflections in the glass. I managed to touch up this photo sufficiently to post : ) Don't you just love those huge paws and that tongue sticking out? Kind of reminds me of my baby pictures - I had my tongue sticking out in so many of them, ha! Three new animals make such a wonderful addition to the endangered Amur Tiger population. By the way, the Tigers have a huge area of trees, grass, fallen logs and a small creek running through the area - not like being in the wild, of course, but so much better than a small cage. They also have just a very small separated area (seen in my image above), with a hammock, where certain animals can be separated when necessary, for various reasons. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siberian_tiger Later note added on 14 June 2012: Tigers that used to be known as Siberian Tigers are now known as Amur Tigers. The name change is because their range now only includes the Amur Valley in Eastern Siberia. The link below is from YouTube, showing the three Amur Tiger cubs at the Calgary Zoo. This video from the den box camera was taken on Friday, April 20. youtu.be/XFyAFe0nCeY

One of the two beautiful Snow Leopards at the Calgary Zoo, taken on September 30th. "Snow leopards live between 3,000 and 5,500 metres (9,800 and 18,000 ft) above sea level in the rocky mountain ranges of Central and South Asia. Their secretive nature means that their exact numbers are unknown, but it has been estimated that between 3,500 and 7,000 snow leopards exist in the wild and between 600 and 700 in zoos worldwide." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_leopard It's quarter to 1:00 in the morning and I have to be up at 5:20 a.m. (better than the 4:10 a.m. this morning!) to do the Calgary Christmas Bird Count, so I thought I'd post my photos very early, before I fall into bed. The small group I'm part of tomorrow (4 of us?) will be searching part of the NE of the city to see what birds we can find and how many of each. Today, I took part in the Canmore (near Banff in the Rocky Mountains) Christmas Bird Count. Four of us walked all the streets and alleys in the Harvey Heights area. A beautiful winter's day - yet very few of my photos turned out, ha! Have any of you seen these cute little Pixar videos (I got the links from YouTube)? I posted the links last December and happened to just come across them again afew minutes ago.. Cute little Pixar short films:- Snowman trapped in a snowglobe: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShoyXTIeqsM Table lamps playing ball: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGxoui3IFS0

The sign by the enclosure at the Zoo says: "Our Eurasian Snow Leopards are spending a few months in the Cougar exhibit at Canadian Wilds while their home is being re-furbished." "The Snow Leopard, sometimes known as the Ounce, is a large cat native to the mountain ranges of central and southern Asia. Well known for its beautiful fur, the Snow Leopard has a whitish-tan coat with ringed spots of dark, ashy-brown and rosettes of black . The fur turns white in the winter. Its tail is heavy with fur and the bottom of its paws are covered with fur for protection against snow and cold. The life span of a Snow Leopard is normally 15-18 years, but in captivity they can live up to 20 years. During the 1960s, the Snow Leopard's total population went down to 1,000 animals, but has since recovered slightly." From Wikipedia. The Conservation Status of these magnificent creatures is "Endangered."