Tag: bobcat

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Coyote, Point Reyes National Seashore

Photo of a coyote looking back at sunset.
Coyote at Sunset

I took this photo about a month ago at Point Reyes.  I can’t remember the exact location, but it was shot around sunset.  I usually miss sunrise at Point Reyes, but I try to always be there for sunset.   It’s the best of times — for light and wildlife.  When the sun starts getting low my senses heighten.  It’s a feeling of anticipation.  Something is going to happen.  Something better happen.  I need a good photo.  I also know that many of the animals I like to photograph, such as coyotes and bobcats, are up and beginning to hunt.  It’s time to crank up the ISO.  Time to be steady.  1/30th of a second time.  It’s make or break time.  If I get a good photo of an animal at that time the day is a success. If I don’t, the day is usually a failure.  I try not to let it get to me.  But it does.  Some.  To purchase a print of this image click here.

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Handsome Bobcat

Portrait of a handsome bobcat.
Handsome Bobcat

I saw this bobcat for the first time a couple of days ago.  He’s very well-marked.  I’m used to seeing bobcats in Point Reyes National Seashore with little or no distinctive markings on the torso.  This guy has very pronounced spots and stripes on his trunk.  I think I’ll remember him as “Handsome Bob.”   Unfortunately, Handsome Bob didn’t stop in the prettiest place.  It looks like a badger has been through here shortly before Bob and really tore the place up.  I saw a coyote stop here and hunt a couple of weeks ago.  It must be (or was) a good spot for gophers and/or other rodents.  Click here to purchase a print of this image.

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Bobcats Are Special

A bobcat looks for its next meal.
Bobcat, Point Reyes National Seashore

I enjoy seeing and photographing all wildlife, but some species are more special than others to me.  Bobcats are one of those species, along with wolves, bears and eagles.  I’ll never get tired of photographing them.

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Bobcat Hunting Gophers

A bobcat stops in a field.
Bobcat, Point Reyes National Seashore

This bobcat was hunting gophers.  Gophers are plentiful at Point Reyes, at least in the agricultural areas.  They are an important food source for coyotes, bobcats, badgers and other predators at the Seashore.  If this bobcat could talk he would probably say there is no such thing as too many gophers.

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Bobcat, Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, California

A bobcat rests in a field.
Bobcat, Point Reyes National Seashore

A bobcat takes a rest in a field.  I’ve been seeing a lot of bobcats and coyotes at Point Reyes lately.  I saw a bobcat and three coyotes last Friday.  I saw this guy the previous visit.  Don’t recall what else I saw that day, but I have photos of a coyote from then.  I often see things, but don’t get a chance to photograph the animal so what I’ve photographed isn’t a good record of what I saw on any given day.  When I started going out to Point Reyes somewhat regularly beginning last summer I didn’t see as many bobcats or coyotes as I’m seeing now.  I don’t know if it’s luck lately or that I’m getting better at spotting them.  Probably both, but with emphasis on the luck side of the equation.