Feline body language

Stepping out onto the terrace late afternoon to check on the animals, we addressed the Chelsea Grays with sweet nothings, and each in succession honored us with a big, pink social yawn (see Tiny, below). Our camera's eye missed the Babe's yawn but caught this classic feline moment (above) of suspended animation as he set the Think System on automatic during the countdown to supper. 'Reminds us of one of our favorite paintings -- blogged here and here -- an American primitive from the Karolik Collection of our own Boston Museum of Fine Arts that appears to portray a bird's-eye view of a cat.

Tiny's classical interpretation of the social yawn calls to mind the misnamed lion's "roar" of many a "nature" photograph. The yawn and the roar (scroll down)  are two different things altogether, as the body language reveals to the patient field naturalist:

Yawn (left) vs roar. (Cathy McKinty photo left, whozoo.org photo right)

In our wild Serengeti rides of yore, the local lions, bored with the ubiquitous tourists as long as they didn't get out of their vehicles -- at which point they became fair game -- were often seen in the very pose of Tiny, above. We interpret Tiny's and Baby's yawns not as expressions of boredom, of course, but as signals of good-humored greeting to fellow members of their pride [AKA Grandma and Grandpa].

Comments

[goomp]

Tiny's yawn is truly classic.

[Marcy]

I am kitty ... hear me roar, err, yawn. hehe.

[Laura Lee Donoho]

Check your email when you get a chance Sissy. I've sent you some info.

[hNAV]

wonderful post...

did you see this amusing Feline?

Cat Flushing...

[Sissy Willis]

Cats gotta flush, birds gotta fly . . .

[pam]

I love the contented look... but there's not much difference between Tiny's yawn and his much larger cousin. ;)

[Gayle Miller]

There is something so wonderful about a pink-nosed kitty! Sam the magnificent (all 25 pounds of him) is a pink nosed kitty! Not that I love Tim (the blue point Siamese angel) any less - it's just that Sam is somehow more enchanting to me!

Tiny's yawn is a duplicate of one that I see at least 2-3 times daily at my house! Sam's hobby is sleeping! Tim's hobby is finding new ways in which to snuggle up to me. He is currently perching on top of my recliner, resting his head on top of my head, and becomes very incensed if I dare to move! Cats are neverending sources of fascination.

[Eathen Richardson]

I would hate to see those big lions angry at anyone! Thankfully kitties are safe. Liz Barton has some interesting ideas on cat behavior. You can get in contact with her via her website if you're interested in training your friend :)