Baltard Feline Show 2012 - X

When I first saw this photo, I was amazed at how much this cat resembles a lion. The expression in the eyes carries it all; I believe cats can carry more emotion in their eyes than a lot of animals, and this is very true here. While I normally like a full-body shot, I think the borders on this are perfect. You don't need to see the rest of him (or her) to know that he is beautiful. I can tell (even from the thumbnail) how unbelievably soft the fur is. At first glance, I almost thought it was a painting!
I don't think this shot would have had the same impact had the kitty been looking at the camera; as a viewer, I wonder what has caught this majestic creature's interest. This is truly a lovely shot, one of my new favorites. I would definitely buy a print if available.