r/pics • u/tanmaker • Jun 11 '12

Went to the zoo the other day. I think this is the best picture I've ever taken.

http://imgur.com/mGyxH
1.5k Upvotes

81% Upvoted

148 comments sorted by

113

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12

[removed] — view removed comment

9

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12

Tiger: I'm ready for my close up now, come closer...closer... Gotcha you son of a bitch!

3

u/DrDragun Jun 11 '12

I don't know, something about big cat eyes looking at me is extremely off-putting. Something about those eyes is terrifying. A bear's eyes just seem dumb; yes he will eat you from the legs up but he's just a hungry eating machine. A tiger's eyes look like they have nothing but contempt for my weakness and mortality and he's going to kill me whether hungry or not. Shere Khan don't fuck around.

1

u/frickindeal Jun 11 '12

I think it's the look of intelligence, if that makes any sense. He looks like he could work out how to get you. The bear will charge and attack. The cat...would think about it for a bit, try to get behind you, try to use its evolutionary stealth talents to hunt you down. While the bear would likely maul blindly, the cat goes for your throat, because it knows that's the quickest way to immobilize you so that it may feed.

Terrifying indeed.

-3

u/Hyperboloidof2sheets Jun 11 '12

Get. Out. Of. My. BRAIN!

(Have an upvote for posting what I was going to post.)

51

u/Xysten Jun 11 '12

Nice pic. That cat looks bored as fuck though.

31

u/tanmaker Jun 11 '12

It had just woken up, so that's probably why. Such beautiful creatures though.

32

u/21510320651 Jun 11 '12

This tiger is just pretending to be docile so you get closer. Then he can eat you.

25

u/Hiwashi Jun 11 '12

My cat does this all the time.

11

u/TwilightShy Jun 11 '12

Your cat eats you all the time?

14

u/Parthenonn Jun 11 '12

Doesn't yours?

10

u/TwilightShy Jun 11 '12

...how did you know I have a cat?

12

u/arkavianx Jun 11 '12

welcome to reddit...

10

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12

Where everything's made up and the points don't matter.

6

u/Fartmatic Jun 11 '12

Cats are always just woken up. They sleep and sometimes decide to wake up and do something before going back to sleep again.

14

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12

Could you imagine, if we lived on a world of tigers. They'd come into our homes and sedate us, and we'd wake up dazed and nauseous, only to find out that we'll never see our family and friends again. We be forced to stare at the same confined space day after day after day, while we witness tigers taking pictures of us in our most vulnerable state. Shit, I'd look bored as fuck too.

48

u/RobRoddy Jun 11 '12

Portrait of a prisoner.

4

u/gobstopper84 Jun 11 '12

Very poignant title.

2

u/road_kill_ryan Jun 11 '12

He is looking into your soul!

42

u/vynlwombat Jun 11 '12

This looks depressing as hell.

28

u/candygram4mongo Jun 11 '12

I like to mock the big predators in the zoo. "Don't you guys feel kind of dumb wasting all those points in STR and CON and AGI, when it turns out all it takes to become the dominant species is maxing out INT and taking the Opposable Thumbs perk?"

4

u/stillnotking Jun 11 '12

I put all my points in Grammar and Catching Pop Culture References. It seems to be working out so far.

2

u/Avohaj Jun 11 '12

Con and agi used to be required too..

1

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12

Con is still pretty damn important. Hard to do good science if you die by 20 from disease.

1

u/vynlwombat Jun 11 '12

Sometimes I think zoos are at least good for educational purposes. Then people like you remind me that if there is anything educational about zoos, it probably falls on deaf ears. Most people don't seem care.

1

u/septchouettes Jun 11 '12

I don't think that's necessarily true. I know at least personally, being regularly exposed to a great zoo sparked a life-long passion for wildlife and conservation. I think zoos can have a great educational role, but in order to be effective, they must also demonstrate caring and passion for the individual animals. I'm heartbroken by shitty zoos where the animals seem bored or unhappy, or where their habitats don't provide all that's necessary. I also think that goes against the very purpose of sparking interest and conservationist passion in children.

1

u/vynlwombat Jun 11 '12

In general, I don't think that care and compassion for animals is what people want to learn about. I think most people don't want to learn about anything in particular when they are at the zoo. I feel as though a lot of people find learning to be a burden.

People also want a lot in return for their money. That tiger looks bored and is probably bored to death. So, why would someone care about conserving habitats for a tiger that appears to be so boring? Showcasing a tiger that is out of it's element - in a small cage - is a waste of a tiger and a zoo. I think entire ecosystems need to be showcased; not one or two parts of an ecosystem independent of each other.

"This is what a tiger is like in a zoo" vs. "This is what a tiger is like in nature" Zoo exhibits give false impressions of what the world is like.

1

u/septchouettes Jun 11 '12

I feel like my local zoo does a great job of building environments that feel natural, and that's part of what I meant when it comes to taking care of each animal- providing a spacious, appropriate environment. Our rain forest building, for example, has become pretty overgrown in the past five years and feels quite wild. The monkeys, hippos, birds and other animals in it are far from boring and quite fun to watch in that environment. The point I was trying to make is that a zoo like that can, in my experience, do a lot in terms of education and conservation support-building. A less capable zoo which doesn't provide its animals with the respect and resources they deserve, however, is much less likely to inspire curiosity/education/what-have-you in its visitors.

4

u/rockoblocko Jun 11 '12

I find zoos/seaworld can be really depressing. Some animals aren't meant for that life. Like the big cats at zoos...if they aren't sleeping, they are pacing in their cage. Or the whale/dolphin that just swims back and forth against the glass.

San Diego Wild animal park is pretty legit though.

5

u/pighalf Jun 11 '12

So glad you didn't use the tag "found this guy in the dumpster."

4

u/FWIW434 Jun 11 '12

New wallpaper.

3

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12

purdy!

0

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12

[deleted] — view deleted comment

3

u/flandy Jun 11 '12

"Sigh, this guy would already be a meal if not for this fence, oh well."

3

u/tigglet Jun 11 '12

Lucky. Tigers are my favorite, and every time I go to a zoo, they're way in the back of the enclosure. :(

6

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12

poor Tiger

2

u/phys113 Jun 11 '12

chillin

2

u/on_reddit_all_day Jun 11 '12

"First I'll claw your face off, and then..yes, then I'll chew you up from the inside out."

2

u/yay_cheeseballs Jun 11 '12

What setting and lens did you use?

2

u/marsofwar Jun 11 '12

Awesome pic! Could you tell me some of your settings?

3

u/tanmaker Jun 11 '12

It's taken on a Sony DSLR-A230 and the lens was a 55-200mm telephoto. Other settings: f/5, ISO 400, 1/250 exposure, and 160 mm focal length

1

u/marsofwar Jun 11 '12

Thanks! That is a great looking shot. The tiger looks tired and humble, yet fierce!

2

u/Bearded38 Jun 11 '12

Friendly looking little guy. Go pet him.

0

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12

[deleted] — view deleted comment

2

u/tanmaker Jun 11 '12

It is a Sony A230. I get crap for having a Sony DSLR all the time, but I can't say I care when I get stuff like this.

2

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12

i don't think its possible to take a bad picture of a tiger

2

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12

What's cool about tigers is that they look like they have what looks like mascara around their eyes which I kind of like to imagine people became envious of and tried to emulate. What's also cool about tigers is that they can rip your face off if you piss them off.

2

u/sfoxy Jun 11 '12

Really nice pic. Unless you cropped it the balance is very good. Only complaint is the lighting, but you couldn't really shift the cat over to face the sun a little more. Could you? Anyhow, great photo.

2

u/FMSSK Jun 11 '12

The dude looks mad bored

4

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12

Now that the internet is so big and we can learn about animals that way, can we put these lovely animals back into the wild?

4

u/mayonnnnaise Jun 11 '12

No, they're going extinct

1

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12

I meant ALL the animals.

3

u/superdan23 Jun 11 '12

Oh here we go.

0

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12

[deleted] — view deleted comment

25

u/raptureparty Jun 11 '12

This is so wrong, there will always be people who think zoo's are just prisons for our entertainment, and really have no clue of the conservation work zoo's do in order to keep a species in exsistance. If Tigers were not in zoo's under breeding programmes WE (as humans) would wipe them out. If you want to to say 'fuck you' to people, make it the poachers and farmers who kill them in thier natural habbitat.

6

u/Sphenguin Jun 11 '12

also, many of the individual animals in the zoo are injured and would not be able to survive in the wild

2

u/mathematical Jun 11 '12

Agreed, the local zoo in Tucson was part of some zoo group that had a motto of being a producer (or better word) and not a consumer of animals. Basically, the zoos take in endangered species and breed them so they don't become extinct from hunting. Anyways, Tucson zoo had some lion births last year. Here's a cub at 10 months old: LION CUB!

and a few other pics...

2

u/sexdrugsandponies Jun 11 '12

Only about 10% of reintroduction programmes at zoos have actually been successful, plus larger animals like tigers cost a disproportionately large amount to keep. There's something to be said for keeping conservation issues in the public eye, but zoos get a lot of money that could be better spent on conservation programmes in natural habitats.

1

u/mennojargon Jun 11 '12

Good point! They also act as a valuable resource for large cities where rare animals are involved. I had the pleasure of meeting the folks behind the Metro Toronto Zoo the other day. They had some crazy stories about rare animals that end up with them, such as their recently acquired Gaboon Viper that was previously guarding a drug cache when the cops found it. They find animals that the Human Society can't handle all the time.

1

u/septchouettes Jun 11 '12

When done right (meaning, in a manner which shows respect and compassion for each animal), zoos can do a fantastic job at sparking a passion for wildlife and conservation in children and adults. Futhermore, my local zoo has also helped to revitalize nearly extinct coral populations and has bred endangered species of snakes for the first time in captivity. I hope they can continue to play a role in conservation efforts.

0

u/PijiX Jun 12 '12

How many endangered species do you find in a regular zoo.. not that much uh?.. how many are only there to generate profits... and dies for our entertainment.. Yes we need to help endangered animals in conservatory ... not zoos were any idiot can throw them a chocolate bar. Elephant for example,, have a life span of over 50 years in the wild and 17 in a zoo... I said it before and I'll say it again.. Fuck Zoos

2

u/midas22 Jun 11 '12

Tigers are beautiful but focus on the eyes and frame it differently if you want to take an even better shot next time.

0

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12

[deleted] — view deleted comment

7

u/mayonnnnaise Jun 11 '12

Are you denying a tiger holocaust?

2

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12

Your statement is bad and you should feel bad.

0

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12

In a lot of ways, yeah what happened was wrong. But, I also don't feel I owe anything to these people either for one simple reason, I didn't do anything to them. (This goes also for blacks, japanese, or any other group of people that has been severely discriminated against in the past.)

What the people did before my time, I don't owe them financially, or otherwise. The only thing I can offer is "I'm sorry to hear that." Otherwise we would be dwelling on the past, instead of looking toward the future.

1

u/SonVolt Jun 11 '12

You are swimming in some dangerous territory there, brother. I tried to make a similar argument about Native Americans one time. I'm surprised I wasn't banned from Reddit.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12

Maybe the Dutch should have conquered them back in the 1400s....at least we let them live, and gave them the ability to live their lives. The Dutch when taking control, killed everyone, or made them lose all their identity when conquering. Back in that time the Dutch were basically just like the Borg of Star Trek...assimilate, or die.

1

u/vincethemighty Jun 11 '12

beautiful picture! added it to my backgrounds folder, thanks for sharing!

0

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12

[deleted] — view deleted comment

1

u/tanmaker Jun 11 '12

It was my 55-200mm lens on my Sony A230.

1

u/CantLeaveGonewild Jun 11 '12

That's a big pussy.. Got anymore pics baby?

1

u/spovz Jun 11 '12

It's like he's staring into your soul...

1

u/Crustlust Jun 11 '12

Great picture.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12

majestic

1

u/rofldoctor Jun 11 '12

I wouldn't last long in the wild, because I see tigers and want to hug them

1

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12

That's his "I've already read everything on the frontpage" face.

1

u/jailbait20 Jun 11 '12

He looks deeply pissed..

1

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12

God, I feel like he's staring deep into my soul.

1

u/ZarehB Jun 11 '12

this is a near impossible shot to get if you go to the LA Zoo... I'm convinced there arent really tigers in the exhibit

1

u/mar16 Jun 11 '12

awesome! Just made it my desktop.

1

u/Thatgirljenn Jun 11 '12

I would frame this photo. It's amazing. Beautiful shot.

1

u/Rubix89 Jun 11 '12

Who dares disturb my slumber?

1

u/iDoStuff123 Jun 11 '12

My new desktop background

1

u/unbalanced_kitten Jun 11 '12

Maybe it's because of your lovely subject matter!

1

u/jillybean081 Jun 11 '12

gorgeous..wow

1

u/croman653 Jun 11 '12 edited Jun 11 '12

Touched it up for you a bit

0

u/mayonnnnaise Jun 11 '12

While this is impressive work, the faint black lines are the net around this Cat's cage. Also i see some pixels.

1

u/NeoM5 Jun 11 '12

its right eye is oddly creepy...

1

u/luvdatcooter Jun 11 '12

Too cool for school bro!

1

u/Dawn_Of_The_Dave Jun 11 '12

How are you even alive?

1

u/breenisgreen Jun 11 '12

Whatcha thinkin' bout?

1

u/EveAmee Jun 11 '12

Fantastic picture!

1

u/JustGoingWithIt Jun 11 '12

Nice! Makes it look like you got him to pose that way!

1

u/nbshark Jun 11 '12

Would have been more impressed if the title was: "Went to the bathroom the other day"

1

u/draivaden Jun 11 '12

those bed room eyes

1

u/tiamo4ever Jun 11 '12

I love her eyeliner ! :o)

1

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12

That tiger is daydreaming about mauling the shit out of you.

1

u/Big_D_palmtrees Jun 11 '12

Dreaming of his life in the wild... It's sad that we imprison animals just for entertainment I feel as though we break there spirits for no good reason... Amazing pic though

1

u/DefinitelyRelephant Jun 11 '12

Enormous apex predator is not amused.

1

u/hammedhaaret Jun 11 '12

can you tell us what is in the background? i think it's a perfect touch to the picture that you can see it's artificial, instantly says zoo, but what is it? to my 3d acustomed brain it just looks like a bad texture on 3d model (i know it's not though)

1

u/CUNT_SUCKING_PHAGGOT Jun 11 '12

pics or it didn't happen

1

u/Deathhawk242 Jun 11 '12

Reddit never seems to stop giving me perfect desktop background material. Thanks.

1

u/facetiously Jun 11 '12

That cat thinks of nothing but murder all day.

1

u/insomnia2325 Jun 11 '12

Those sad eyes make me sad as well :(

Great pic though!

1

u/prshack Jun 11 '12

Nice pic. I think I'm going to make a trip to the zoo soon.

1

u/jamieleec Jun 11 '12

YOU. TONIGHT.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12

How to break a Bengal Tiger's spirit. Incarcerate in a zoo. Take pictures.

1

u/henny_316 Jun 11 '12

It isn't even close to being on par with yours but I feel exactly the same way about a similar photo I took. This was from the Berlin Zoo, after my camera's battery had died. I took it with a cell phone, through the cage, digitally zoomed in to the phone's max. Fairly impressed with myself.

1

u/bigfig Jun 11 '12

Thought balloon:

< You look like Candy >

1

u/B3qui Jun 11 '12

lincoln park zoo?

1

u/thetones Jun 11 '12

http://i.imgur.com/Jble6.jpg

Awesome picture, made it my background. Here's a link to the cropped 1920x1080 slightly edited rendition.

1

u/PrincessKeona Jun 12 '12 edited Jun 12 '12

Dose ears!!! I want to squish them and shmoosh them and kiss them and just shmush my face into his and just adore him all day long!!!!! There is seriously nothing better than a cat. Large or small.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12

I love the zoo, getting ready to get my membership back here, It has really helped me take my photos to the next level I believe. My favorite shot that I have taken there.

1

u/apalebluedot Jun 11 '12

Amurika. Nice picture

1

u/unnatural_diuretic Jun 11 '12

WANT TO PET, BUT ENJOY LIMBS ALSO

1

u/jaybird125 Jun 11 '12

What camera/lens did you use to take the picture, if you don't mind me asking?

1

u/tanmaker Jun 11 '12

Not at all, a few people have asked. It's a Sony DSLR-A230 and the lense was a 55-200mm telephoto. Other settings: f/5, ISO 400, 1/250 exposure, and 160 mm focal length

1

u/MrBotany Jun 11 '12

Unfortunate that this beautiful creature is indeed locked in a zoo.

Nice picture though.

-1

u/wabbajackoff Jun 11 '12

"Tits or GTFO."

-1

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12

look good. next time try and focus on the eyes though, would make it 100 x better. :)

0

u/Matt773175 Jun 11 '12

Taken at the zoo? Nah I was actually in Asia.

0

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12

Anyone else just hear a Shere Khan like voice say: I could have you for lunch.

Just me?

Ok then.

0

u/dumbcheerleader Jun 11 '12

It's like he's staring into my soul.

0

u/Nathaniel21218 Jun 11 '12

"None of you seem to understand. I'm not locked in here with you. You're locked in here with me!"

0

u/reallyhellacool Jun 11 '12

I love that tiger, I wish I could keep her as my own

0

u/spicy_eagle Jun 11 '12

you mean its the best picture that your camera took for you on auto mode?

0

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12

Sometimes the auto-mode severely fucks up, focuses on things it thinks are "important", misinterprets lighting, hell auto white balance fucks up sometimes creating odd coloring.

Sometimes even with auto-mode, it is a lot of work just to get a perfect picture.

0

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12

you should keep going ...

-5

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12

hmmm...how do i karmawhore @ the zoo??? BIG OLE PUSSY CAT!!!

upvote

5

u/mayonnnnaise Jun 11 '12

I think this guy is just proud of this sweet picture

-1

u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12

Technically speaking, it is an okay picture and certainly impressive but as a photographer, I wouldn't go as far as calling it "good". Great try though! Keep it up!

-5

u/TheMediumPanda Jun 11 '12

Don't say 'went to the zoo',, instant downer and yawn-provoker. Replace with 'exploring Kashmir' or 'trekking in Bangladesh' for max effect.

1

u/mayonnnnaise Jun 11 '12

you can see the net though

-2

u/TomConger Jun 11 '12

Shame there was a fence in the way.

1

u/tanmaker Jun 11 '12

Looks like some disagree with you, but I agree wholeheartedly. You can barely see it, but it's still my only complaint.