I took the day off!
At 6:30am this morning, Heather and I stepped outside of Boulder.
After a later-than-planned start, a long and somewhat unusual detour off US36 and a stop for gas, we arrived at our destination. And for those of you still convinced that I drive like a grandma... we shaved at least a half hour off the estimated time by Google, even with the detour!
Destination: Serenity Springs Wildlife Center
A safe haven and retirement community for wild cats. Featuring tigers, lions, cougar, bobcat, leopard and so much more. Each animal rescued from a bad or illegal home, show biz or unfortunate circumstance. This non-profit provides great companionship, healthy food and veterinarian care for animals that otherwise have nowhere to go.
This tiger was ready to greet us before the 9am tour... one of many tigers who live here, but significantly more active than most of the others.
Sleeping in on the weekend.
And there were the tiger cubs... happy (and lively) little accidents. I couldn't wait to give one a cuddle!
This lioness was a movie star in a former life... you might recognize her from Second Hand Lions. Unlike actors and actresses of the human variety, big cats are retired fairly young - at least before they have a chance to grow bored or cranky!
As we walked around Serenity Springs, we were joined by the smallest cat resident here. A domesticated house cat with a passion for visitors and a hankering to taunt the larger residents with his black and white tail as we passed each cage.
This mountain lion perked up, big time. That little cat had "snack" written all over him!
A black leopard
last but not least ... some non-cat residents, to mix it up a bit. These are coutimundi. Kinda related to to raccoons.
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