This pride of lions is from the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, here in Colorado Springs. You can hear this guy roaring all over the joint when some jerk upsets him (for instance, he really hates it when people shine flashlights in at him during the night-time zoo experiences--so would I--I hope he busts through the glass and eats one of them).
But the real cool cats in this photo are the lionesses. They are the reason I have to visit the lions every time we go. They exude attitude. I've named them. I even have imaginary voices for them. Not kidding.
Last time we went, I got to see who the winning bad-ass of the lionesses was, as she took out two of the others over a bone. They went off into separate corners and pretended not to glare at her for awhile, but they never made another move. There was much nonchalant paw licking while they watched her out of the corners of their eyes, saying "You didn't scare me; I just don't want a bone right now. I was just after that little ant in front of you. Shows what you know, Mary Beth." The fourth one just shook her head (well, internally, anyway) and ignored the younguns while she cradled a piece of meaty bone none of the others appeared to notice. Seriously, she was hiding it, all wrapped up in her paws. I watched her cover it up when they walked her way. Smart.
Mary Beth also eyeballed my nephew like he was dessert. I got pictures of her staring at him while gnawing away, but they suck because of how badly damaged the glass is (or maybe it was just super dirty that day). She walked right up to him and continued eyeballing him. I'd rather not know what she said; she doesn't mess around.
The lionesses of CMZ rock.
And that's your [Mostly] (though [Hardly] might make more sense sometimes) Wordless Wednesday. I'm hoping for an opportunity to go get some fall photos now that some of the trees have started to change, but we'll see. Life is busy right now!
Don't forget to tune in Thursday for an interview with Andrew Leon!
May you find your Muse.
9 comments:
Now I just have to know which one of these lovely ladies is Mary Beth.
Truly Magnificent.
Yvonne.
You and me both...love the lion exhibit at the Dallas Zoo. Usually dirty glass from the floor to about 3 feet...kiddie height.
So majestic! I love watching lions at the zoo. Did you see the Disney documentary Big Cats??? It's really good and informative - you might like it!
I love lions. Watching them at the zoo or even on the Discovery Channel is such a treat!
Great shot! I love watching lions and tigers and then comparing their movement and gestures to my cats' :-)
Carol, she's the one sitting up on the right, I believe.
Yvonne, they truly are!
Chuck, that is exactly where I was crouched trying to photograph her. Can't begrudge the kids, though.
Annalise, I had planned on taking the kids to see that, but wasn't sure if they would enjoy it yet, so I'll probably rent it. Thanks for the rec!
Angela, I agree: a treat!
Crystal, I couldn't agree more!
Deniz, that is part of it, too. My cats both died last year and I love to see their mannerisms in the big cats.
Lionesses are SO much more bad-ass than their male counterparts! As it should be.
Liz, so incredibly true. Probably part of why I think they're so cool.
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