cougar staredown

This cougar (mountain lion) resides at the Living Desert Museum near Tuscon, Arizona. Although I try not to take images of captive animals if at all possible, the glare and raw essence I felt from this big cat compelled me to capture it on film. It is sad that these large and magnificent predators have been so persecuted throughout North America, and it is not often that someon is lucky enough to see one in the wild. I have been lucky enough to take part in research efforts on these beautiful creatures, and it is truly a gift I always cherish in my professional career.