BOBCAT VISIT

A bobcat visited our meadow the other morning and stayed for about 20 minutes hunting and basking in the sunshine. This was not the first time I've watched a bobcat, but this one had very distinctive markings and was so relaxed. It almost seemed like a domestic cat the way it seemed to own that meadow. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see it catch a gopher, but it stayed long enough for me to absorb some of its personality.

Watching wild animals in their own habitat is a special treat. They are not like us - they really live IN their world, they don't try to change it, they adapt to it. I learn a lot everytime I get to watch the birds and insects and lizards and other animals around here. I learn how to accept the world, how to appreciate it, how to pull in the healthful rays of sun and the good clean air to heal any old wounds I have.

The Bobcats we see here in California are Lynx rufus - mammals who live in a large area from Canada to Mexico. They hunt primarily in forests and meadows for small rodents and are important predators who help keep the mouse, gopher and rat populations in control. Of course, they are also very beautiful.

This young one was probably not yet full-grown and will develop a larger head and more powerful body. It's stripes and the points on its ears will become even more pronounced. In some of my photos this one looked almost like a house cat.

The meadow here hosts many wonderful birds and mammals: great blue herons, red-tail hawks, bluebirds, flickers, woodpeckers, bluejays, squirrels - to name a few.

Oh, and its bobbed tail was ao wonderful! It was twirling its tail round and round and it only stopped when he was sitting down.  If you watch the video you will see what I mean.  This animal is beautiful to watch in motion.  I tried to cut the video down but couldn't get rid of any of the action.  I am not the best at the camera work, still learning.  I have a little Sony HD camcorder 42x - it gets kinda jumpy when I try to bring something far away closer. 

Just wanted to share some images of this remarkable animal with you! The more we see how diverse and beautiful nature is, I believe, the more we will treasure and help preserve the natural, wild world we share with the rest of life.