Anvil Loc: Loveland, CO

Perhaps my favorite wildlife animal to photograph is a bobcat. It may be my favorite because it was the first predator I ever photographed in the wild.

It has been some time since I've run across one of these cats, in my hikes. The last one I saw was a male. In what I regard as typical male bobcat behavior, he bolted as soon as he became aware that I knew he was there. In my experience, the males leave fast and for good, although I am often able to get photographic evidence of gender. Of course, when that happens, the bobcat is running away from me, which means I didn't even get the cat's face in the shot.

Yesterday was overcast and drizzly, not what one would call a typical, early October day in Northern California. Overcast isn't necessarily bad, though, as the cloud cover creates a giant light diffuser. As long as the subject is close, the light can be fine.

I was hiking in an area that was not entirely familiar to me, when I came upon a familiar site -- a short tail, with black and white bands. It was a bobcat, and this cat was positioned behind/under a fallen tree. I moved to the other side of the fallen tree, expecting to have to mount a chase. The cat was trying to fool me by maintaining her position under the remains of the tree. The fact that the cat did not bolt, immediately, suggested to me that I was watching a female. Later on, I verified that.

The cat allowed me to get very close -- within six feet. I've done this with females, before. I don't corner the cat. The cat always has plenty of room to escape, should it be of a mind. This time, I'd found a cat that seemed a bit playful. She was going to lead me on a chase. This has happened to me, before, and it is always fun, with plenty of opportunities for a closeup.

She went under a barbed wire fence. There was no way I could get under it, so I had to move downhill about forty or fifty yards to a break in the fence. I knew it was there, because I had gone through it, earlier. I made my way to the break, and went back uphill, towards her last position. She had plenty of opportunity to leave me in the dust, but she didn't. It actually seemed as though she waited for me.

She then led me on a chase through a lot of fallen trees. She could go through them, but I had to go around. Each time, she waited for me, always looking back to see if I was still there. (This, too, has happened, before.)

Eventually, she started going up a small hill. It had started to drizzle, again, so I waved good bye to her, stowed my camera, and proceeded to head back to the car. As I was walking down the trail, I looked up the hill, and saw her watching me. I climbed up that hill, but she was gone, by the time I made it.

I love these types of encounters with bobcats. It's as if she's giving me a tour of her neighborhood.

Under the tree.

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Leaving the cover of the tree.

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C'mon, Old Man! Is that the best you can do?

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Saying good bye.

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Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

What an awesome experience that must have been! An encounter between curious kitty and curiouser photographer Super story and photos.

Anvil Loc: Loveland, CO

Thanks! I'm glad it was a cool day, rather than the scorchers we've been having. One can chase a lot more effectively, when it is cool.

MissStephie Loc: West Virginia

very cool!

Anvil Loc: Loveland, CO

Thank you!

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Great series! What a wonderful opportunity!

Anvil Loc: Loveland, CO

Thanks! I love a willing wildlife participant.

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

Nice set great captures. Did you have to bribe him?

Anvil Loc: Loveland, CO

Thanks! This one was a female. No bribe, but I did have to promise I'd call her.

photophile Loc: Lakewood, Ohio, USA

I loved the story of your encounter and the photos Anvil. We have bobcats in Ohio.

Anvil Loc: Loveland, CO

Thanks! Bobcats are all over North America. There are, I believe, twelve subspecies of bobcat. As with many things, California has its own subspecies, the California Bobcat. I don't know why we get our own, but I don't make the rules. I think, in Ohio, you have the rufus bobcat, and I'm not just talking about Rufus the Bobcat, the Ohio University mascot.

jayway55 Loc: Philadelphia Area - USA

Great shots! Thanks for the interesting story, too.
Jane

Anvil Loc: Loveland, CO

Thanks! My pleasure.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Wow - a pretty special experience!

photophile Loc: Lakewood, Ohio, USA