Cool cat

  

Okay, so I haven't been lucky enough to photograph a Bobcat recently, but I've been involved in some discussions about Bobcats (and Mountain Lions), so I was looking through some older photos tonight...and then I thought that it would be fun to post a couple of them.

The scientific name of our local Bobcat is Lynx rufus -- I'm guessing the "rufus" part of the name refers to the reddish coloration in the fur:

 

 

Both photos are from Bodega Head in 2013.

 

Attentive

 

Eric spotted this Bobcat hunting in a field (10 September 2022).  It paused to check on us and then continued on.

Leaping through the year

I wanted to find something appropriate for a "leap day" — perhaps a frog?  I failed to find one today, but I still had fun trying.  

My heart leaps every time I'm able to spend time outdoors making natural history observations.  This afternoon I felt lucky to spot this handsome animal in the distance.

[Click on the image for a slightly larger version.]

 

 Bobcat (Lynx rufus), Bodega Bay, 28 February 2016

 

Enjoy your extra day, and may you experience many natural history moments throughout the year that make your heart leap.

Different coasts

I grew up on a beach in southern New England — looking for sea glass among the beach stones, watching minnows in shallow salt marsh pools, searching the horizon for diving terns revealing the presence of Bluefish or Striped Bass, skipping stones across a tidal river, digging softshell clams in thick mud and feeling for quahogs with our toes, rolling down sand dunes, skating across cranberry bogs....and yes, handlining for cod from a skiff within sight of shore!  But it was not a place where we saw wild cats.

Here's me in the Provincetown dunes — I can't remember the year, so I'll have to check with my mom.  It's somewhat appropriate to share a picture of me from long ago since my birthday's approaching — three cheers for Capricorns!

 

And about that cat.

 

 

This Bobcat padded across our path in the middle of the day today.  Although I'm used to seeing Bobcats now, I'll never get tired of them.  They're so beautiful, and I'll always be curious about what they're up to.

This individual seemed to be listening intently, and then it lowered its head and started to sniff around some branches.  Its tail was twitching.  After it decided there wasn't enough of interest, it started walking faster and left the area.

 

Although at times the rufous coloration and the stripes and spots stand out, against other backgrounds you can see how they really blend in: 

 

I miss New England, but I'm thankful for these special moments learning about Lynx rufus.

 

Double take

Driving to work early this morning along the Bodega Highway, I did a double take while looking out the window (Eric was driving).  Just outside of the town of Bodega, one of the utility poles didn't look quite right!

 

Can you see why?

Here's another view: 

 

 

And one of the top of the pole that's even closer and cropped:

 

A Bobcat was perched at the very top of the utility pole!  When we first saw it, the light was dim and the cat had its eyes closed much of the time.

 

But as the sun rose above the hills, the Bobcat started to look around:

 

Over the years, I've heard several stories of Bobcats being observed at the tops of utility poles.  Whenever hearing about it, or seeing pictures of them in this position, I've often wondered what this behavior is about.

During one incident, the observer thought perhaps the Bobcat had been chased up the pole by a Mountain Lion.  Other possibilities — Are they just looking for a place to rest?  Using it as a lookout?  Did the Bobcat chase something up there?  What do you think?  Why do Bobcats climb to the tops of utility poles?

If you haven't done so already, check out those large paws and handsome spots!

We continued on our way to work, leaving while the Bobcat was still perched on the pole.  But throughout the day I kept wondering about it.  What was the Bobcat doing up there, and when (and how) did it climb down?

 

ADDENDUM (2 January 2014): As a follow-up to John's comment below, I can't help but post one more image.  Just before we were about to leave, a pair of ravens came by and one bird swooped in extremely close to the Bobcat (see below).  The cat didn't seem to react, and the raven just flew off and landed on a nearby pole.  I don't know if they interacted further after we left.  I didn't share this picture because it's blurry (I wasn't quite ready and it happened very quickly), but now I can't resist...and perhaps it's appropriate, especially as this unfolded within sight of the former schoolhouse where a scene from The Birds was filmed.

Eyes closed

Leaving work today we caught a glimpse of this mammal disappearing into the shrubs:

 

The Bobcat stopped briefly and closed its eyes for a few moments.  We wondered if it was sleepy, or just waiting for us to leave so it could continue with its evening activities?

 

No matter what was behind this behavior, in the resulting picture I was struck by the amazing stripes across the different parts of its face (especially to either side of the nose, at the base of the whiskers).

Closer than you think

For years it seemed like everyone saw Bobcats but me.  But this year I've had several encounters with them, and last week was one of the most remarkable.

 

 

These pictures were taken at the north end of Bodega Harbor.  For orientation, I was standing along Old Bay Flat Road looking towards Westshore Road with Bodega Harbor in the background.  (This is close to the parking lot used by horseback riders accessing the Bodega Dunes.)  The cat was only a few feet from Westshore Road!

The sequence went something like this.  First I saw the Bobcat walking towards me along Old Bay Flat Road.

 

 

Through the camera lens, I tracked it through the vegetation until it climbed up into the lower limbs of a cypress tree.  It sat there for a while, but then started down towards the ground again.

 

 

I thought it might just continue through the wetland area between Old Bay Flat Road and Westshore Road, but instead it turned up towards Westshore Road...and sat down!

 

 

I couldn't believe it, as the position the Bobcat chose was extremely close to Westshore Road.  It was the end of the day on Friday, so there was a lot of traffic: people leaving work to go home, and others driving out to Bodega Head for the sunset.  

As I was watching the cat through the lens, I listened for cars approaching and tried to time a few pictures with vehicles in view.  The Bobcat stayed in this position for three minutes before standing up, turning, and eventually disappearing into the shrubs.

 

I'm sure this happens far more often than we think, but this encounter reveals just how close by these beautiful animals can be and provides a special reminder to drive as carefully as possible.

Midday stroll

Do you recognize this rufous fur and striped tail?

 Here are a few more hints:

 

 

 

I encountered this Bobcat (Lynx rufus) walking along the side of the road today.  When it noticed me it started heading into the dunes.  This next photo makes me think it wasn't too happy to be disturbed during its midday stroll.

 

I'm not sure how consistent Bobcat fur patterns are.  I looked back at the pictures from June 2012, but couldn't tell if this might be the same individual.  What do you think?