"What inspired me to paint this scene was the feeling of contentment on the cougar’s face and the overall warm glow accented by the softness of the ripples trailing away from the cougar’s tongue.  I have been there before and remember how good water can taste, be it from a challenging hike in the Wind River Mountains or having one’s water purifier freeze up at night before the last day of a winter backpacking trip.  But this cougar has enjoyed a very warm day and is soaking up some of mother earth’s nourishments before disappearing into the evening’s activities." 

- Kyle Sims