Snowshoe the Lynx, May he rest in peace

      For a short time from 2006 to 2008, I had the pleasure of volunteering as a photographer at the High Desert Museum south of Bend, Oregon. In the beginning I had access to the animals and their trainers. Several of the animals were trained to meet the public other than just behind wire and glass.
One beautiful predator was still new to the museum but was being trained and I had access. He was in an enclosure where I could photograph him without shooting through wire.
      He posed like a seasoned model. Some of those photos are still on display at the museum.
After a few years Snowshoe was moved to the atrium behind glass for patrons to observe and there he lived out his life. In today's Bend Bulletin that life is chronicled. It was a hard bitter life that of a wild creature raised in captivity and released to die with inadequate tools to survive.
      The full story can be downloaded on the Nov. 13, Bend Bulletin website. They estimate Snowshoe lived to 20 years old.
      Here are two of my favorite photos of Shoeshoe. One in the enclosure in 2006, the other during winter with his full winter coat, in the atrium.
      Rest in peace.
      Kenneth Fenter