When you look into these wild eyes,
what do you see?
I see,
wild hearts,
untamed,
yearning to be free.
These mountain lions were photographed at The Big Bear Alpine Zoo in Big Bear Lake California.
Big Bear Alpine Zoo is a rescue and rehabilitation facility that provides injured, orphaned and imprinted wild animals a safe haven, either temporarily as they heal, or permanently if they are unable to survive in the wild. 90% of the animals brought to the facility are released back into the wild.
There are 160 animals in the facility currently, comprising 60 different species. There is a golden eagle with one eye, a bear with three legs, a grizzly that was scheduled for euthanasia at Yellowstone, animals that were kept as pets and abandoned when they become too much to handle, and many more animals with sad histories.
A new zoo is under construction that will offer more spacious accommodation with glass enclosures. The zoo is owned by The Big Bear Department of Parks and Recreation and is staffed by county employees (Source: Big Bear Alpine Zoo).
Cheers to you from the gorgeous cats at The Big Bear Alpine Zoo~
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Spectacular photos Cindy. They are such beautiful animals. But then I always have been a cat lover.
Alison
Although, mountain lion live around The Holler, and I see their tracks, I have never actually seen a mountain lion in the wild because they are so incredibly elusive. Seeing them up close was truly an amazing experience
Wow! I look in those eyes and I see pride, power, and majesty! Gorgeous creatures! 😻❤️
I love what you see! <3
So good to hear of the work this facility does to help wild creatures and to know so many of them are released back
I am really impressed with the return to the wild release rates too. The facility has been rescuing animals since 1959.
That must be a lot of rescued animals since 1959
I wonder what the n is?
What a handsome creature! We once lived in Big Bear City when Bill was working on building new roads in “wilderness areas.” We loved it there but have no recollection of a zoo. That was eons ago however.
You and me both. I have been coming to Big Bear since I was a child and I have never heard of this place even though it has been operating since 1959.
You took some impressive photos of the beautiful creature, Cindy. I hope they end up having a wonderful natural life. I’m very happy about The Big Bear Department of Parks and Recreation.
Their rescue and rehabilitation results are impressive, as well as the animals they keep for life as there are no other options. They have this amazing white Asian Deer I will post photos of, who was found abandoned on a roof in Beverly Hills.
Wow, abandoned on a roof. Humans!#!
Agreed.
Wonderful photos, Cindy! Glad there were some bars between you and that gaze. It looks like they were sizing you up for lunch! 😉
I had to shoot through chain link and think scratched plexiglass. I could have altered the photos to get rid of the blur, but decided not to because these animals are not wild and free. If they were, I would never have gotten these photos.
True.
<3
So very beautiful. I’m glad so many are released to the wild.
They return rate is impressive isn’t it <3
Oh wow … these are extra special!
Mountain Lion have always been a fascinating mystery to me. I remember finding their staches of partially eaten deer as a child and being so curious about them…
Fabulous photos, Cindy.I look in those eyes and see wisdom, God. What must they think of humans when they look in our eyes?
I so love what you see <3 It gives me goosebumps. And yes, there is this question of what they see when they look at us. I can't imagine it being positive. I
I love that most of these animals are being returned to the wild – the best kind of zoo. 🙂 Wonderful photos.
I agree, it is a rescue and rehabilitation facility, which makes it more impressive than a zoo.
I saw a cat that looked hungry in some pics and bored in others. Must be before and after he got fed. Beautiful pics.
You are perceptive. They were actively moving about, waiting to be fed.
Glad it’s not me they’re feeding on. I just heard about a cougar sighting in our area (not in a zoo), so am on the lookout. Getting a rubber neck.
We had one walk down the middle of the street where I used to live in suburbia which I never saw, now that I live in The Holler, all I see are tracks.
Let’s hope it stays that way, except at a distance.
<3 <3
Gorgeous!
Aren’t they regal creatures!
Completely awesome!
We have these magnificent creatures roaming the hills and I have never seen one. Although, at my former home, one walked down the middle of the street in the middle of the day, but I wasn’t there!!! It sure got the neighbors excited though!
Yes, I’m sure of that! Blessings. 🙂
Blessings back to you <3
🙂
No, they do not meow and rub against your leg when hungry.
No, I don’t think they do! Although the bobcat looked so much like my cat Herbert, it was disconcerting.
Marvelous closeup photos of the handsome mountain lion!
Thank you very much!
So nice to read of these zoo sanctuaries and the community recreation departments that operate them. We have one similar in Folsom, near Sacramento, with injured and abandoned native animals and birds. One of my university classes toured it last fall and were so impressed with the facilities. Beautiful photos, Cindy! I was still learning my camera so my images weren’t great!
I was just near Folsom. Next time I am near, I will visit. Thanks for the heads up Terri <3
An incredibly beautiful big cat, Cindy! I am glad these zoo refuges exist. Thank you for sharing. <3
Thank you for caring <3
Those are very ‘no nonsense’ eyes. He is inscrutable like the Sphinx. Wonderful portrait shots, Cindy.
Yes, he wouldn’t be interested in excuses or explanations would he. Smart cat!
I see frustration, Cindy. Sadly.
I hear you and I see it too.
so beautiful.
Yes <3
Beautiful mountain lions. We have Wildlife West Nature Park and Rescued Wildlife Zoo east of Albuquerque that serves a similar function.
So important and so needed <3
I thought I saw a big beautiful puddy cat! I did! I did!
Laughing! You saw two….. 😼😼
I did, I did!! 😀
🙂 🙂
Beautiful cat! Hope I see one in the wild some day…from a distance.
I hope for this too. A fleeting glance before he/she moves off would be amazing…..
Absolutely fantastic. When I look into their eyes I see a being who knows who he is. Someone who is centered and at peace with life.
We humans could learn a thing or thirty from them couldn’t we!
I hope it’s okay that I reblog this wonderful post. Thank you.
Awww, thank you on behalf of everyone, critters and the humans who help them <3
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Mille grazie!
Pingback: Wild Eyes~ —(By the fabulous Cindy Knoke) | Rethinking Life
Thank you sweet lady!
I’m glad they have a facility to take care of them. They’re beautifully photographed! To me their eyes look alert, and also aloof.
Yes, alert and aloof is an excellent descriptor!
What a beautiful big kitty. I understand that, out of all the big cats, only Snow Leopards can actually purr like house cats. I have a 20lbs orange Hemingway with thumbs. He is a mess.
Is it possible that your Garfield is eating too much pizza???? Lucky feline. Or maybe he is just a big bold marmalade bunch of joy! There are two snow leopards at The Alpine Rescue. I think one was blind. They just rested on the roof of their enclosure, truly looking unperturbed, like they were on the top of world. They seemed the least confined of all the animals.
He is my rescue kitty. The people that had him before me, I’d like to slap. Seven cats in the house with one problem cat. They favored the problem cat & it wreaked havoc on the other cats. Instead of addressing the issue, they started giving away the other cats. My Oliver is a big baby & wound up with a damaged ear & fear problems. He was already 20lbs when I got him. And, I don’t feed him cheap food, either. He gets herbal supplements & locally sourced simple treats. I would never poison him with mainstream garbage. He is totally rotten! ❤
I would love to see a big cat in person. I am in awe.
I am in love with your Oliver and so glad he found you!!! <3 <3
❤❤❤😍
Really amazing captures Cindy ! 🙂
There were major obstacles to photograph around, but these felines amazing beauty almost erased the photographic flaws.
☺
Beautiful creatures. I am glad they are receiving such good care.
Thank you Mandy <3
Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
These magnificent pictures of a mountain lion were taken by Cindy Knoke at The Big Bear Alpine Zoo where wild animals are rehabilitated and, if possible, released back into the wild.
Thank you for advocating for the voiceless Patricia & be well my friend <3
Gorgeous photos and animal. You sure do find lots of beauty in Cali! Thanks for sharing your wild heart adventures. 🙂
Thank you more for sharing them with me Brad & cheers to you my friend.
Thanks Cindy!
<3
They are doing good work. Fantastic picture of this beautiful creature.
Thank you! It is so good to hear about all the humans who do good work regularly.
A fantastic and beautiful range of images. Thank you, Cyndi.
Thank you more for appreciating them Isabel.
Remarkable photos.
Thank you Cynthia, much appreciated.
Wow, they look into you don’t they 🙂
They certainly do, and they don’t seem impressed, smart creatures.
He’s beautiful but those are the eyes of a cold hearted killer (my house is pretty much the same!)
I would like your house!! And yes, these are predator eyes. But they kill to eat, whereas humans, lots of humans, kill for fun and other stupid reasons.
Cats kill for fun but its their instinct. Human (westernre, anyway) usually don’t need to. I had a hunter follow me on instagram the other day. I was horrified at all their photos of dead deer and guns. I am a animal lover and vegetarian. Actually I just realised it probably explains the nightmares I had last night!! I blocked them.
Some domestic cats kill for fun. People are far more deadly than any wild animal. Herbert, our cat, refuses to kill anything. He just paws bugs and frogs and lizards with no claws out, until we rescue them, and he seems relieved, almost like he doesn’t know what else to do with them! He actually carries frogs into the house in his mouth without hurting them, and then looks at them, seemingly dumbfounded. I have heard other people talk about their cats doing this. I think you are on the right track, blocking negativity, protecting your sensitivity, and creating your beautiful, life affirming art. We need a whole bunch more people like you on this planet <3
I have two cats, Hattie who has never caught or killed a thing in her life. The other Bingo will kill rats and mice although he only has one tooth. When I say fun I mean instinct. Bingo isn’t hungry and he cant eat the things he kills he just enjoys hunting and is a practiced killer. I’ve seen him do it and it’s pretty impressive (if you are not a fan of rats and mice). As for violence in humans, truama, testosterone and lack of empathy all have a role to play. I hate violence or cruelty to either animals or humans. Thank you for the discussion, Cindy.
They remind me of our famous Guy the gorilla – resigned to boredom
Ah, yes. Is it resignation or despair? Perhaps a bit of both.
Yes
<3
It might be because that my subconscious says this is a predator that shapes my thinking to see – I do not messing around…
I am glad to hear this is the place to help injured wild animals and eventual they can have their freedom back (if they can survive on their own). This is great!
Yes, our subconscious is wired to perceive threat before we are even aware of it. It helped our species survive. My reaction to looking into the eyes of a creature like this in the wild would be far different than in captivity. The lion’s look seems to be saying that! Thank you for caring about them despite their threatening appearance.
Even though I am scared of them so badly (e.g. snakes are good closely creatures that I often run across), I do care for them (but still well aware to make sure that I stay clear of their way as much as I can).
This strategy keeps you alive. This sort of fear is adaptive.
schöne Tier sind das, beste Grüße von mir zu dir, passe auf dich auf und erkälte dich nicht, Klaus
Danke, Klaus und bleib warm, mein Freund.
Love these photos of the Mountain Lions and a very worthwhile organization to care for them until than can be set free agsin.
Thank you Gary & be well my friend.
I see a yearning, too, Cindy, maybe to eat the photographer, lol. Only joking, but I do see a gazing beyond the barrier look in those eyes. Nice that they will have more room soon and that do many are released back into the wild. Beautiful photographs.
I definitely notice that wild animals both in the wild and in captivity look differently at me when I have a camera plastered permanently to my face. They tend to look directly into the lens. It is almost as if they see it as an unusual eye. Of course, maybe they are just thinking, I want to eat her, but I am not sure about the camera!!!
A beautiful animal – soon set free, I hope. Great shots. Sounds like a good organization – much needed. Thank you for posting and giving a link!
Thank you for your concern Leya and for reading the link <3
♥
Amazing shots.
Grazie mille.
What a gorgeous cougar. Thank you for sharing this, Cindy. I hope the facility gets everything they need to keep helping these amazing animals. Sharing.
Hugs on the wing.
I hope so too, and thank you for caring Teagan <3
Again sensational photos of a beautiful animal. Thanks Cindy 🙂
Regards Alexander
Thank you & much appreciated Alexander.
Beautiful!
I am happy you think so!
Stunning photos. I am so glad that the animals that can go back get released. And that those that can’t have a safe haven.
Yes, it is the best possible option available for them. I am glad you care about them.
Sehr eindrucksvolle Tiere! Das was ihnen hier am ehesten nahekommt ist der etwas kleinere und viel leichtere Eurasian Lynx, der Luchs, von dem es nach den Angaben der zuständigen Bundesangentur in Deutschland momentan ganze 77 freilebende Exemplare (z.B. im Harz, im Bayerischen Wald und Schwarzwald) gibt.
Ich wusste nicht, dass es in Deutschland Luchs gibt. Sie sind wunderschöne Kreaturen und es ist so wichtig, sie zu schützen. Es gibt so wenige von ihnen! Danke, dass du mich erzogen hast!