Just remember; To Miss Kitty , you are a medium sized, slow, easy to catch, snack. YOU might think she's a pretty girl , SHE thinks that the talking monkeys are food she hasn't caught YET. Big and dangerous is only pretty if you believe that you are in control, otherwise its just scary as hell. I try to never forget WHO is looking back at me from the cage. (look up HOWDA PISTOL) --Ray
We were down Sarasota way last week and spent an afternoon at http://bigcathabitat.org. Neat way to spend a couple hours. I made a friend in a Tiger who was quite curious as to my wheelchair. We spent a bit playing chase up and down his run.
Funniest thing I ever did see, at the Nawlins Zoo: A couple of kids watching the cheetahs being the glass. One of the cheetahs stretches nonchalantly, settles back down into the catloaf position, then starts the exact same butt-wiggle that housecats do just before rolling in hot on a cat toy... Kids are oblivious, until the cheetah charges them, breaking off at the last second before hitting the glass, and stepping back to his buddy, entire body radiating feline amusement, while the kids scramble in terror. My wife and I are trying not to have a hearty laugh at the kids' expense, having seen this coming and done nothing
My local PBS station recently showed the BBC documentary "Tiger - Spy in the Jungle." Elephants carrying cameras disguised as tree trunks were used to film a tigress and her four cubs in an Indian tiger refuge. No doubt that the footage was manipulated for the purposes of narrative, but it was still fun to watch the cubs grow up. More importantly, they weren't afraid to show the tigers kill and feed.
A lifetime ago I used to hang out with a bunch of Cooper's acolytes. I went on a desert shooting excursion and campout organized by a guy who coached at Orange Gunsite. At day's end everyone parked around the campfire and took turns reciting poems, heavy emphasis on Kipling and Robert Service. When my turn came I gave them the only poem I've ever bothered to commit to memory. That one.
But, yeah, I'm reminded of how, when tasked with bringing the most beautiful Earth female for an interstellar beauty contest, Jaime Retief chose a female Bengal Tiger.
Jim Corbett, who hunted down so many man-eaters, described the tiger as "a large-hearted gentleman", and even credited one(the Dabidhura Temple tiger)with having a sense of humor. Lightning can kill you, too, but it's beautiful and impressive to watch.
Tigers-- particularly Siberian tigers, have always been my favorite big cat. They are ridiculously fast and strong, yet beautiful. Even in cages, they maintain enormous amounts of muscle.
I really had no idea about jaw power until I went to Out of Africa in AZ on a feeding day. (Wed is the best!)
Watched a Siberian kitty eat a deer head. Started licking the open neck then very casually chomped through the skull like a human bites through a Hershey bar. Complete awe.
I figure Tam can have a lean and tigerish aspect every once in a while. We benefit from it, because she is socialized enough to reduce much of her natural aggressiveness to snark.
Ever been to Exotic Feline Rescue Center over in Center Point? It's the most tigers I've ever seen in one place and you're probably close enough for it to just be an afternoon trip.
At the Austin Zoo, there is a tiger cage with a sign warning visitors that the tigers can urinate well beyond the distance from bars to walkway.
Watching newbies stand and patiently read the sign as an insolent beast casually walks to the front of the cage, turns his back to the kiddies, and lets loose with a high pressure blast is a frequent high point of visits to the zoo.
Just remember; To Miss Kitty , you are a medium sized, slow, easy to catch, snack. YOU might think she's a pretty girl , SHE thinks that the talking monkeys are food she hasn't caught YET. Big and dangerous is only pretty if you believe that you are in control, otherwise its just scary as hell. I try to never forget WHO is looking back at me from the cage. (look up HOWDA PISTOL) --Ray
ReplyDeleteMe too.
ReplyDeleteCould frame thy fearful symmetry .......
ReplyDeleteThat's probably why Kellogg's picked a tiger to flog breakfast cereal, and Exxon its gasoline. And Hobbes, of course. :)
ReplyDeleteWonder how many bad parodies of Blake there are that describe other cats?
Leopard, leopard in a tree,
Contemplating eating me...
Tam's reply: *one* more bad parody, anyway...
We were down Sarasota way last week and spent an afternoon at http://bigcathabitat.org. Neat way to spend a couple hours. I made a friend in a Tiger who was quite curious as to my wheelchair. We spent a bit playing chase up and down his run.
ReplyDeleteOur two current fuzzballs will have to do for now, in the Tiger department.
ReplyDeleteAll 8-1/2 lbs. of miniature, long haired black cuteness, and her 13 lb. fur-factory, long haired tabby brother.
He's about ferocious as Hello Kitty, and I don't mean Kalishnikitty, either.
But, let a housefly sneak through the door, and you can see that wee bit o' Tiger in 'em, all the same.
Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX
Our two current fuzzballs will have to do for now, in the Tiger department.
ReplyDeleteAll 8-1/2 lbs. of miniature, long haired black cuteness, and her 13 lb. fur-factory, long haired tabby brother.
He's about ferocious as Hello Kitty, and I don't mean Kalishnikitty, either.
But, let a housefly sneak through the door, and you can see that wee bit o' Tiger in 'em, all the same.
Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX
I too would like to look at tigers all day, possibly over rifle sights in the vane of Peter Capstick
ReplyDeleteFunniest thing I ever did see, at the Nawlins Zoo: A couple of kids watching the cheetahs being the glass. One of the cheetahs stretches nonchalantly, settles back down into the catloaf position, then starts the exact same butt-wiggle that housecats do just before rolling in hot on a cat toy...
ReplyDeleteKids are oblivious, until the cheetah charges them, breaking off at the last second before hitting the glass, and stepping back to his buddy, entire body radiating feline amusement, while the kids scramble in terror. My wife and I are trying not to have a hearty laugh at the kids' expense, having seen this coming and done nothing
My local PBS station recently showed the BBC documentary "Tiger - Spy in the Jungle." Elephants carrying cameras disguised as tree trunks were used to film a tigress and her four cubs in an Indian tiger refuge. No doubt that the footage was manipulated for the purposes of narrative, but it was still fun to watch the cubs grow up. More importantly, they weren't afraid to show the tigers kill and feed.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b009smrg
A lifetime ago I used to hang out with a bunch of Cooper's acolytes. I went on a desert shooting excursion and campout organized by a guy who coached at Orange Gunsite. At day's end everyone parked around the campfire and took turns reciting poems, heavy emphasis on Kipling and Robert Service. When my turn came I gave them the only poem I've ever bothered to commit to memory. That one.
ReplyDeleteSnow leopards are pretty, um, pretty too.
ReplyDeleteBut, yeah, I'm reminded of how, when tasked with bringing the most beautiful Earth female for an interstellar beauty contest, Jaime Retief chose a female Bengal Tiger.
Jim Corbett, who hunted down so many man-eaters, described the tiger as "a large-hearted gentleman", and even credited one(the Dabidhura Temple tiger)with having a sense of humor. Lightning can kill you, too, but it's beautiful and impressive to watch.
ReplyDeleteTigers-- particularly Siberian tigers, have always been my favorite big cat. They are ridiculously fast and strong, yet beautiful. Even in cages, they maintain enormous amounts of muscle.
ReplyDeleteCheck out the great scene of a blind woman examining a sedated tiger in the movie Manhunter. (With an excellent and uncharacteristic musical piece by Shriekback (known primarily for their song "Nemesis") playing in the background, called "Coelocanth".)
The first photo makes me feel as though a movie is about to begin.
ReplyDeleteI really had no idea about jaw power until I went to Out of Africa in AZ on a feeding day.
ReplyDelete(Wed is the best!)
Watched a Siberian kitty eat a deer head.
Started licking the open neck then very casually chomped through the skull like a human bites through a Hershey bar.
Complete awe.
I figure Tam can have a lean and tigerish aspect every once in a while. We benefit from it, because she is socialized enough to reduce much of her natural aggressiveness to snark.
ReplyDeleteMe too. I think Manda had to physically pull me away last time we went to the zoo.
ReplyDeleteSorry, but Kipling ruined real tigers for me....
ReplyDeleteI saw those photos and thought 'Shere Khan, you don't know who you're messing with.'
Imaginary tigers are a different critter altogether; whoever that one thinks he is, he's no match for Hobbes.
gvi
Ever been to Exotic Feline Rescue Center over in Center Point? It's the most tigers I've ever seen in one place and you're probably close enough for it to just be an afternoon trip.
ReplyDelete"I could spend all day watching tigers..."
ReplyDeleteAnd tigers could spend all day watching you
"Tiger, tiger, burning bright,
ReplyDeletewhat has caused you to ignite?"
If that wasn't more than enough I can dish out a longer one.
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park near Escondido has just opened a fabulous tiger area. Come see the tigers in a beautiful habitat.
ReplyDeleteAt the Austin Zoo, there is a tiger cage with a sign warning visitors that the tigers can urinate well beyond the distance from bars to walkway.
ReplyDeleteWatching newbies stand and patiently read the sign as an insolent beast casually walks to the front of the cage, turns his back to the kiddies, and lets loose with a high pressure blast is a frequent high point of visits to the zoo.
Visitors beware!