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Father of all domestic cats


Father of all domestic cats
Photo Information
Copyright: Gerhard Theron (gerhardt) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1936 W: 244 N: 4106] (11620)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-08-28
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Minolta Dimage Z1
Photo Version: Original Version
Travelogue: Johannesburg Zoo
Theme(s): Mammals of Southern Africa, Lesser cats of the world, Felidae of the world: Second series [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2004-09-02 4:08
Viewed: 10151
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
African Wild Cat (Felis Lybica)

Once upon a time the cat did not live in the houses of men. She lived only in the bush or in the jungle.

One cat became friendly with a rabbit. She went everywhere with the rabbit and was astonished at the craftiness of her friend. One day a duiker (small African antelope), fought with the rabbit and killed it with its horns. As her friend was dead the cat lived with the duiker. Then the duiker was killed by a leopard, so the cat decided to live with the leopard. A few days later they met with a lion. The lion fought the leopard and killed it. The poor cat then made friends with the lion and lived with him until one day they met a herd of elephant. A huge bull fought with the lion and killed it.

The cat thought to herself, "I must make friends with an animal as large and strong as this elephant - surely nothing can defeat it!" But her troubles were not yet over, for one day a hunter shot the elephant with a poisoned arrow and the elephant died.

Now the cat did not know what to do, for she had never seen a two-legged animal such as this. She thought hard and said to herself, "if this man can kill a huge animal like an elephant, I had better make friends with him so that I can live in safety." She followed the hunter back to his home, and when the hunter entered his hut the cat crept up on to the veranda. She heard sounds of quarrelling in the hut and saw the man in flight from a woman who was beating him with a stick for stirring porridge.

The cat said to herself, "Now I have seen the strongest of all creatures - a woman!"

Ever after this the cat has lived in the huts with the women, because it is they who are all-powerful.

With Genetic Science scientists are now certain that the domestic cats are descended from the African wild cat shown in this photo. These cats are becoming increasingly rare in South Africa due to their ability to breed with domestic cats and from the diseases transmitted to them from their domestic cousins.
japie, ellis49, Lesley, CaptiveLight, PDP, Lourens, nwoehnl, carper, mi-si-sjell, kb10, Oldtree, dantor, bartove, danbachmann, Luc, sAner, sway, sily, Prop has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To sAner: Thanx for the word...gerhardt 2 03-08 13:20
To Callie: Ha.. Ha.. Ha..gerhardt 1 09-02 16:37
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
  • [2004-09-02 5:26]

This is a stunning portrait and I love those eyes. I can almost hear it purring for attention. I will not let my wife read this note as we still have issues about who's the boss!

Thanks

Very good Gerhard.
Very nice colours, good sharpness and
a very funny and good note.
Well done.

LOVE the story...what fun! This is a beautiful capture of a lovely creature. If I didn't know I would have said this was a domestic cat... great lighting and your focus is super. I like how the background color is soft like the colors of the cat. Good job!

I love the photo, and the note that goes with it...excellent.

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779] (11769)
  • [2004-09-02 8:58]

Exceptional note, I really enjoy reading your notes. I like looking at your pictures too, this one is a very nice portrait and I would never have guessed this was wild. Nice work Gerhard.

  • Great 
  • RAP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2524 W: 345 N: 2373] (7405)
  • [2004-09-02 9:12]

Se parece a mi viejo gato!!!
Y es lógico que así sea, siendo el antecesor de todos ellos.
Gran imagen, por nitidez, por colorido y perspectiva.
La mirada de un gato siempre es cautivante y ésta, mucho más.
Bravo!.

It is looked like my old cat!!!
And it is logical that thus it is, being the predecessor of all of them.
Great image, by clearness, colorful and perspective.
The glance of a cat always is gripping and this one, much more.
Bravo!.

First impression: what is a normal domestic cat doing here but after reading the pleasant note, now I know where the origine of my neighbour cat is coming from and been chased away by my dog. Stunning staring eyes !

Vaalboskat, a very nice kitty, hard to see, even more difficult to shoot. Enjoyed the note on the cat. Love the eyes, and the snorbaarde - mustach or whiskers just do not have the same ring. I have a nice series od 5 pictures I shot in Kalahari Gemsbokpark, but mine is much smaller. As for Japie - I am the boss in MY house - my WIFE said I may say so!

Absolutely an excellent photo!! Check those eyes!!! Detaille superb. Very nice note as well.

Very stunning image. The eyes and whiskers really stand out well.

Wonderful closeup, Gerhard - love the definition you got in the fur, as well as the alert eyes and the "beard". Fine posing too, and great job on the notes - LOL. Well done.

  • Great 
  • carper Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1973 W: 119 N: 2582] (8439)
  • [2004-09-04 14:09]

Gerhard ik schrijf je in het Nederlands,
Want er werd gezegd dat mijn kritieken niet goed zijn en of ik er comment van wil maken.
Erg goede poezekop, plachtig, het valt me mee dat ze hem er niet af halen.

I've to admit, I like your note.

The look of this cat reminds me off one of our four cats we have. When he has spotted a bird or heard a mise, or if he is in his "I secretly attack one of our other three cats" - mood, then he has exactly this look.

Wonderful moment you managed to capture here. Thanks for posting.

Very good Gerhard. I enjoy reading your notes.
I will posted some wild cats and jungle cat(Felis chaus)

  • Great 
  • sAner Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1455 W: 74 N: 1426] (4750)
  • [2005-02-15 6:14]
  • [+]

Best note I've read so far! Great picture. Everything is right. :) Sorry for being so late (I am fairly new to TN and I am checking al older pics aswell;)).

It is said a dog has a master, a cat has servants. Your description also implies this is true.

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