I believe that I have mentioned that I am scared of the dark. Even when looking at trail cam photos that are taken at night, I have a little dread of what I might see. So, imagine my feelings when this guy showed up on my cameras. What he was doing out there between 4:00 AM and 4:30 AM I will never know. I can’t imagine wandering around in the dark without benefit of any light source in this area. He doesn’t look like an avid outdoorsman and honestly looks pretty creepy. I am also sure he had no idea of that there are so many mountain lions in the area.
I used to go out to check cameras right at sunrise. No more. In addition to the suspicious activity with humans, there are now 6 mountain lions I have showing up on cameras. Momma lion with her half grown 3 kittens and two of her full-grown kittens from last year who are on their own now.
Monitoring the area for the last 5 years I have never gotten daytime photos of the lions until this summer. When the cats where entirely nocturnal I was more comfortable. Now they appear to be bold enough to be seen at any time of day. I am waiting until midday to retrieve my memory cards, staying hyper vigilant and upping my game from bear spray to wearing a sidearm. I think I will carry an airhorn as well as it could be a good deterrent.
Northern Desert Photography 
wow.. can imagine you’re hyper vigilant with so many mountain lions around. But the photos are great 🙂
Thanks. I am enjoying them once I am safely home. 😉
Yeah, he looks a bit unhinged… time of day notwithstanding.
Hypervigilance is the first step in controlling your self defense.
I literally gasped out loud when I saw that guy show up on my pictures as I was reviewing them. I got a bear horn to wear on my belt as well. I may blow it as I enter the woods. Maybe I should have opted for a horn of rohan to annouce my coming to all lions. 😂
I can understand that reaction. Wildlife is dangerous, no question; but it mostly goes to great lengths to avoid humans (wisely). People on the other hand…
If you come across the horn of Rohan, I’d be tempted to give it a go.
Woah! I’d be freaked out seeing that guy anywhere, any time!
Yeah me too. May we never meet. 😉
I feel anxious just thinking about the scenario with the strange man.
Thankfully I think it was an isolated incident. He has not shown up on the cameras again.
Wow. A solitary man wandering through the high desert. My biggest fear, too.
Sarcasm? I guess sometimes you have to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Take a good look at this guy and ask yourself if you were me would you want to run into him alone.
I wasn’t being sarcastic. Solitary people like him are terrifying.
Ok thanks. I couldn’t tell. 🙂
That guy looks like he is definitely up to no good. Have you alerted the local police? The cougar photos are super cool, but they is indeed A lot of cats in one area. Be careful out there. But honestly the guy scares me more than the cats.
That guy appears to have moved on thankfully. His one and only appearance. I am being super careful and added a bear airhorn to my arsenal. Lol.
Ooooh! More great mountain lion pictures, Alison. Around here, many homeless people live in forested areas. Some are good, some not so good. It’s too bad that the rest of us may now limit how much time we spend in those areas.
Yes, this guy appears to have moved on.