Signature series ~ Gyptian
American mountain lion, aka cougar aka puma. Taken at the Dickinson Park Zoo.
“Puma concolor:
The Latin name for the cat of many names
Cougar. Catamount. Painter. Panther. Ghost cat. Puma. Mountain lion.
In speaking of the many names of cougar, one folktale tells the story of Native Americans who would bring pelts to trade in what is now New York City. When the Europeans and white settlers would question why all only skins of females (given the lack of manes) were brought for trade, the Native Americans explained that the males lived far away in the mountains, playing a joke of sorts on the naïve newcomers—this is why cougars, who are not specific to mountain regions at all, came to be known as “mountain lions”.
The etymological history of the word cougar comes from French naturalist-explorer Count Georges-Louis Leclerc Buffon, who called Puma concolor “cuougar”. This usage was derived from the Brazilian Portugese word cuguacuarana, which in turn came from the Tupi Indian word susuarana, which means “false deer”. We find that this word aptly captures the international allure and cross-cultural nature of the species, while distinguishing our organization from a popular brand of athletic shoes—Puma.
Symbolism, Lore and Native American Experience with Cougar
“Ghostwalker”
The spirit of the Cougar chose to take the earth and walk as a spiritual hunter, to teach unconditional leadership, patience and determination.
“The strengths they represent have a powerful lesson for those that are willing to learn from them” -Nancy Wood Taber, artist
According to animal totem lore, cougar is the energy of leadership. If we listen to Cougar we learn to become the leader that people follow by choice, not by force. Cougar has the wisdom to lead through love, not through fear. Cougar is a take-charge totem or energy. Cougar people are such natural leaders that others tend to take their leadership for granted. If no one else is leading, cougar will naturally take over. Cougar is graceful and balances intention, strength and responsibility. Others are always safe when cougar is in charge.
The cougar is very elusive and is rarely encountered in the wild. Because of this quality, cougar can appear without being noticed and quietly take control of a situation. Sometimes this can lead to conflict with others over territory. It is often noted as an animal that is independent, shy and withdrawn. The same characteristics are often found in people with this medicine.
Cougar is associated with leadership and teaches decisiveness in the use of personal power. When it attacks it does not hesitate. When threatened it goes for the most vulnerable place. Cougar is not often allowed to show vulnerability.
~Excerpt from The Cougar Fund
The Eastern cougar, native to states in North America East of the MIssissippi River, is gone from over 99% of it’s range and is listed as an endangered species of critical status.
Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters
Carolyn Staut
Beautifully done and brilliant composition.
Mundy Hackett
Thank you Carolyn
JLHopgood
Stunning, absolutely stunning
Mundy Hackett replied
Thanks so much Jo
Anthony Comella
Wonderful all around! Cheers!
Mundy Hackett replied
Thanks Anthony!
Marianne Vene...
Very beautiful Mundy, you are so good at shooting animals.
Mundy Hackett replied
Thanks Marianne, and you have been churning out some mighty fine imagery yourself lately! I hope you are feeling better and ready for springtime!
bertspix
Hi Mundy: A most beautiful image of a beautiful animal…Great work…Bert
Mundy Hackett replied
Thank you Bert
adgray
OH Mundy you coloured her exquisitely!
My mind has a zillion stories milling about in it now and one is about your tiger cub
and these gorgeous images you are creating!
Don’t now when but one day it will bubble out of me!
Thank you!
Mundy Hackett replied
Thank you!
adgray
But the big shot is cutting over the writing and I cant read it! <(
vonne
AWESOME Treatment!
Mundy Hackett replied
Thank you!
adgray
Thank you Mundy! :o)
She really is beautiful!
I love the colours you’ve chosen.
I love all your work
Thank you ~ adg xox
Joe Valcourt/M...
stunning work
Aveen Ismail
brillent work.. awsome ..
Cheri McEachin
Very cool looking, you are the fract boy!..:)
ferndesign
what a great capture well taken
Julie Langford
Stunning shot Mundy – very powerful with superb clarity
Marita McVeigh
so regal!
kcranmer
Ohhhhh so fantastic…the color here just pops!
J.K. York
stunning portrait. the light is fantastic. you have a great feel for capturing the character of animals my friend. bravo.
Jocelyn Hyers
absolutely stunning … brings out the best in the puma …
Mundy Hackett
Thanks everyone!
Geir Floede
A realy great shot. Likes.
Maximus
Mundy, all I can say about your work is “stunning” but that doesn’t seem enough. :)
Mundy Hackett
Thank you Geir and Max, appreciate it!
Sean Farragher
fantastic
Dennis Rubin IPA
Fine capture, Mundy
photos40
Just a beautiful capture. Lovely profile.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
pinkyjain
So stunning & wonderful. Awwwwwesome!!!!!!!
Michael Kloepping
simply awesome!!
machandel
Besides the beautiful animal I like the explanations you give.
WesternDreamer
The effects you have applied to this sure do make this quite wonderful, a beautiful creation of a beautiful mountain lion!!
Carmen Mandel-...
A true beauty by herself in either fantastic version. Thank you for adding this beautiful profile along your pledge to Art for Conservation.
whisperingruth
A definite fav Mundy….........LOVE your charity you’re supporting!!
Lee Grissett
beautiful! Excellent artistic effects
Alyson Pearson
what a gorgeous shot!
just beautifully composed and lovely colours :)
Angelina Cornidez
Very nice work, looks so peaceful
emmz
stunning
TriciaDanby
She is a beauty :)
Gorgeous art!
Siamesecat
lord have mercy.. what a klitty, I want one right NOW.. Love Cougars.. In fact i love all cats big and small..
PS: i wonder if this one is the famous SNAGLLE PUS… You know the cartoon character that used to say EXIT STAGE LEFT EVEN, and HEVENS TO MERCTROID etc…
jacqi
What a beautiful animal!
rubes
This is stunning. What beautiful color and composition. What a glorious creature. I love this.
Mundy Hackett
Thank you Jacqi and Rubes!
sasha
That’s one beautiful cougar
AngelaFoster
this is a stunning art work
Jenifer
Absolutely Gorges!
amarica
Outstanding!
PPPhotoArt
another amazing cat work!!!!
Marilyns
incredible beauty ! your photos are splendid ! thank you for writting so interesting texts too !
lareejc
how very interesting about this cat! I didn’t know he had so many names :)