Phenotypical expression on display

[RBSinTo]

This was taken in 2000. My mother who was then only 77 needed a mental and physical respite from the 24 hour care she was giving our father, and knowing how much she loves animals especially cats, I arranged to take her to an animal farm near Toronto that had among other animals, a number of Lion and Tiger cubs that visitors were allowed to play with.
One of my mothers feline affectations is her habit of taking cat's whiskers and pulling them through her pursed lips, something she says feels wonderful.
And of course the very first thing she did when she our two kids and I entered the cage was to take a Lion cub's head in her hands and pull it's whiskers through her lips. She then looked at the three of us, smiled and said "You can't imagine how much I wanted to do that!"
This shot was taken inside the cage as my Mother, Joanna and Steven enjoyed themselves playing with the cubs.
motorized Nikon F2AS
Nikkor 24 2.8 AIS manual focus
Fuji Sensia II 100 ISO colour slide
5.6 @ 1/125th

[Shadowman]

Nicely captured.

[IzzieK]

Simba have some siblings?!

A very nice gesture for your mother. Did you kids offered her that? I am envious, so to speak. I bet she was very thrilled. What a thoughtful experience to give her!

[RBSinTo]

Simba have some siblings?!

A very nice gesture for your mother. Did you kids offered her that? I am envious, so to speak. I bet she was very thrilled. What a thoughtful experience to give her!

Izzy,
the Phenotypical expression I referred to was our family's love of animals, especially cats which has been passed down through my mother's family.
The outing itself was my idea, although my sisters participated by looking after our father for the day so our mother could get away. And it was something that she really needed, because at the time, our father's health had deteriorated to the point that he required essentially 24-hour care. Not long after this, our mother finally agreed that she could no longer tend to him by herself, but refused to allow us to put him in a nursing facility. We compromised and a care-giver was hired to help her.
As for the outing itself, she had a wonderful time.
Robert

[IzzieK]

My husband is the same as your Mom. We always have a cat because that is how they were raised -- with Siamese cats -- all their lives. We have a cat and a dog sleeping for awhile in our bed each night. Our cat before our last one came from his mom. I did not mention that kind of expression because I live with one. I only mentioned the good thing you kids did for your mother and I am envious at that gesture because my kids are not living near me because they live across the pond (in Oz). I guess you wanted your audience to notice your title and comment on that so you can tell your story. Sorry but I did not.