GrrlScientist is an evolutionary biologist, ornithologist, aviculturist, birder and freelance science and nature writer. A native of the Pacific Northwest, she relocated from Seattle to NYC with her parrots after earning a BS in Microbiology (emphasis in Virology) and PhD in Zoology (Ornithology) from the University of Washington. In NYC, she was the Chapman Postdoctoral Fellow at the American Museum of Natural History for two years, pursuing part of her "dream" research project by reconstructing a molecular phylogeny of the parrots of the South Pacific islands. GrrlScientist and her five parrots are currently relocating to Germany, where she will continue writing her blog while also writing a book and learning German. (Meanwhile, her parrots will continue to nibble on her extensive personal library.) If you appreciate GrrlScientist's writing, you can help pay her living expenses by hiring her to "blog" your conference, speak at your club or write articles for your publication (or by clicking on the Paypal button below). If you read an essay on this blog that you especially enjoyed, please nominate it for inclusion in 
tags: National Geographic, 2008 International Photography Contest, snow leopard, nature, image of the day
My friends at National Geographic have provided permission for me to share some of the images from their recent 2008 International Photography Contest.
The photographer writes;
The incredibly beautiful snow leopard, Panthera uncia, is indigenous to the mountains of Central Asia. Their dense coats and snowshoe-like paws are ideally suited for their cold, dry, rocky native environment. These shy, elusive cats, when fully grown, weigh up to 120 pounds and nose to tip of their very thick, furry tails measure up to 7 and a half feet long. Sadly, these phenomenal cats are an endangered species. This photograph was taken on a private reserve in Kalispell, Montana.
Life Science
Humanities & Social Science
Comments
Awww. Sweet moggy.
Posted by: Bob O'H | December 13, 2008 3:28 PM
Clearly a good year for snow leopard photographers: http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/whats-on/temporary-exhibitions/wpy/
Posted by: Ed Yong | December 15, 2008 12:30 PM
I admire your picture of the Snow Leopard. I have taken several intriguing pictures myself, but from the zoo perspective... where the cat was pacing. I believe the eyes on the Snow Leopard are beautiful and piercing. Congratulations on your capture of the beauty of the Snow Leopard in the wild.
Posted by: Aleasha | December 21, 2008 7:51 AM