|
 |
|
|
|
| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
"SNOW LEOPARD".
Many many years ago when I was a youth I saw a BLACK PANTHER, face to face, and we both made eye contact, in Khandala, India along the Western Ghats. It was seated on a ledge overlooking a huge forest. Was not afraid of it; it just looked me in the eye and leaped downward into the dense jungle .... and, it was gone. I NEVER EVER FORGOT THIS CONTACT. Have trekked in the Himalayas too and I never ever saw another Black Panther. Ten years ago I returned to India, to the place of my birth ...... the wild life gone ..... where .... how....when? And this has happened during MY life time.
Have seen tigers in the wild and leopards too in India; but , never a "SNOW LEOPARD" until I got into the Calgary Zoo.
Had the great bounty to learn to survive in the wild. This is how I was able to spend days on end in the Alberta wilderness with Cougars, Bears, Wolverines, Deer and Elk. WONDERFUL TIMES. Have often said to myself: "Why can't this peaceful co-existance be possible amongst ourselves, humans"?
Have recently been watching on TV "Planet in peril" by Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Anderson Cooper of 360. What's happening to us? People in power seem to have their own personal agendas in mind; agendas of revenge, of lust, of greed, of personal egos etc:. NOBODY IN POWER SEEM TO CARE ABOUT THE STABILITY OF THIS OUR ONLY HOME ... Mother Earth.
The "SNOW LEOPARD" is a vanishing animal. This Panthera unica of the felidae family that weighs about 36 Kg. living in the high altitude mountain steppe and coniferous forests feeding on Muskdeer, wild sheep and markhors is a cold-weather specialist. Its luxurious, smokey grey coat insulates it against the frigid temperatures. The extremely long tail that you are seeing to the right within this register is often wrapped around the nose and face, like a muffler, to prevent frostbite from chillig winds. Long, thick hair on the paws encrease their width and breadth, often enabling them to glide across snow without breaking through the crust. These are peerless creatures of stealth, silence and surprise, leaping upto 15 meters onto their prey, making them the best jumpers among the big cats.
Now here is the sad part about this elusive phantom. Shy, secretive and exceedingly rare, it has been observed only fleetingly in its natural habitat. It is believed that fewer than 800 animals remain in the wild.
THIS DECLINE IS CAUSED BY A STRONG TRADITION IN SPORTS HUNTING, A DEMAND FOR ITS EXQUSITIVELY BEAUTIFUL FUR, AND THE DEPLETION OF THE CAT'S NATURAL PREY.
I strongly forsee that zoo-bred animals may provide the only hope to retain these species among the living. MOST UNFORTUNATE.!!!???
Please visit aido.
To enlarge it please click on the bottom right of the image. |
eqshannon, Jamesp, pablominto, Alex99, angybone, c_rapp, Debz, Maite, mlines, hester has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
|
|
| Discussions |
| None | | You must be logged in to start a discussion. |
|
- Jamesp
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1223 W: 0 N: 4446]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(13284) - [2007-10-27 16:08]
-
Hi Mario
Good POV with excellent DOF.
TFS
James
Hello Mario,
Great details in the fur coat!
I like the tight framing, a fine moment is captured and the big cat seems cooperative!
Greetings,
Pablo -
-
- Alex99
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2935 W: 142 N: 4217]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(13775) - [2007-10-28 5:42]
-
Hi, dear Mario.
Once more great portrait. I am impressed with your choice of POV so much. The framing and composition of the shot are superb too. The glance of the fine animal is very impressive. Colour palette is unusual and fine. Bravo and best wishes.
Yours "rules infringer" Alexei.
Looks like a kitten! :) SO sweet and gentle in this photo. You captured a soft side to this very capable animal. Lovely!
A big man with a BIG heart. May you live on many more years ot take such wonderful pictures. This is a very rare sight for my eyes and captured well by your keen eye, with colours so true and close in yet as if it could come and grasp you...but I think it would lick your hand in appreciation.
Bob
-
- c_rapp
(710)
- [2007-10-28 11:04]
-
wonderful pov great details. Love the tight crop. TFs
Christan
-
- Debz
(3281)
- [2007-10-29 6:15]
-
Hi Mario, very nice shot with a great note. These are too rare and I am sad to know that now the Tibetans are hunting them again for their skins. They are indeed beautiful. A nice profile and the markings are very clear and sharp, works well as a close up.
tfs
debz
-
- mlines
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 493 W: 14 N: 528]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(2378) - [2007-10-29 14:42]
-
Hi Mario. A very natural setting for this beautiful animal. Avoiding any boards and wires makes it excellent. TFS. Murray.
-
- hester
(10762)
- [2007-12-23 9:50]
-
Hi Mario
I love all the details in the fur. Great POV and good DOF too
TFS
Karan
