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This mountain lion lived at the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum until his retirement in 2013.  His emergence from the shadows brings him into the bright sunlight of the desert - ready to find something to eat or get a drink of water.  Maybe he just needs some fresh air.  In any case, it gives me a chance to get some photos and enjoy his beauty.  Thinking about what was in the shadows for him - a safe place to rest, comfortable & away from the bright sun.  On hot days we all look for some comfortable shade.  

Four years later as I was going through my reference photos, this one caught my eye.  They retired him because his arthritis was making it difficult for him to get up and down the steep rocks in his enclosure.  I can see this in the photo & even though I've painted him many times before, I want to paint him again.  This time it's not just because I like to paint mountain lions, it's to honor him.  Chances are slim that I will ever meet a mountain lion in nature with my camera ready.  The controversy of zoos aside, as an individual I am grateful to him for allowing me to opportunity to photograph him.  I hope that he is comfortable - where ever he might be resting.