Saturday, February 27, 2010

Vigilant Protector



The Jaguar bites through the skull of it's prey piercing the brain as it's preferred method of attack. It is known as a "stalk and ambush" predator....by the time you see it...it is too late.

I had a phenomenal day at our zoo this past weekend. I spent most of the day with the Jaguar. Luckily I was able to capture two sides of this magnificent creature. This is the predator, the stalker, the largest feline in the western hemisphere side of the cat.

Tomorrow you will see the other side of this creature...quite different from today. I was given the look above when I set up my tripod and was making a commotion. Movement that this cat didn't like...find out tomorrow why it was so intent on watching my every move.

Have a great Sunday.

Dan

21 comments:

The Muse said...

sometimes all a writer can say is WOW!

The Muse said...

ok i had to come back...
and tell you to be careful!

amatamari© said...

Truly magnificent and impressive! Beautiful shots - as always! -

shabby girl said...

I'm at a loss for words, really. Fantastic doesn't do it justice.
I LOVE THESE!!! You have totally captured her intensity!

Dan Felstead said...

Thanks Muse! I was safe behind the barriers of course...but surely glad I was!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Thank you Amatamari...I appreciate your kind words. It was a treat so see such a magnificent creature.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Thanks Shabbygirl...also I heard some good news this morning...they said that the desert spring flowers are beginning to bloom and it should be a great year for them due to the rain...hope you get some good pictures.

Dan

Heather said...

You're so busy, Dan - always somewhere, doing something interesting...and, yes, a zoo is interesting to me because our nearest one is hours away :)

Very nice!!

myonlyphoto said...

Dan you did it again, something different but excellent. Thanks for sharing, enjoyed it a lot. Anna :)

Dan Felstead said...

Heather...I usually make it to the zoo once or twice a year. This jaguar had two cubs about 6 months ago and this is the first time I have been there since the event...tomorrow I have pics of the cubs as well.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Thanks Anna...hope you are having a great Sunday. Tomorrow I have pictures of her cubs.

Dan

septembermom said...

Amazing! So close!

_we_the_pieces_ said...

wow! that's a really beautiful animal!

Sunny said...

Those eyes pierce right through you, they almost have a human quality.
Impressive pictures of an amazing animal.
Sunny :)

Lesley said...

Hi Dan, sorry it's been so long!
I am transfixed by your photos of this magnificent animal, I can't stop looking at those amazing eyes!

Cynthia L. H. said...

Absolutely incredible, Dan. Your creativity never ceases to amaze me. So nice of the jaguar to cooperate this magnificently.
;^)

Dan Felstead said...

Septembermom...she was close but not as close as it seems...I used a telephoto lens. She was probably about 10 or 15 feet from me. That was close enough!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Thanks Molly good to hear from you again! How are things with school?

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Thanks Sunny...I would love to hear your captions for the photos...they are always interesting!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Hazy Daisy...never worry about gaps in time visiting my blog...you are always welcomed whenever you stop by. I know how it is to be busy and run out of time...priorities have to be met.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Cynthia...she did seem to be posing for me! Although I don't know how happy she was that I was there with her cubs nearby.

Dan