Tag: bobcat

Predators

A Loggerhead Shrike, or Butcher Bird pictured in the first photo is a fierce predatory bird. They have a specialized beak for severing the spine of their prey. They are infamous for impaling their captured prey on thorns or the barbs on wire fences. They eat insects, small rodents and amphibians. Their relatively weak legs and inability to hold their prey without talons is the reason they impale their food. It makes it easier for them to hold and eat their catch.

Some recent updates with Bobcats and Mountain Lions from the Trail Cameras follow.

I remain grateful these Lions are waiting until dark to roam the woods.

The Bobcat continues to be a mostly daytime predator. But I did manage to get a photo of two Bobcats together at night.

It may be her kitten or it may be mating season. No way to tell.

Mountain Lion and Bobcat Updates

I checked that trail cameras yesterday and was pleased to see that I have my first Mountain Lion showing up since February. The dates indicate that this Lion showed up the first week of September. This Lion is alone so maybe a young one or a lone male. I am pleased to see that he/she is still only a night visitor to the area as I have no desire to meet it in person. Still carrying my bear spray on my belt just in case.

On to the Bobcat…these are not great photos, but I believe it is a mama Bobcat sitting and waiting for a kitten or one of it’s kittens to catch up. You have to look closely at the photos to make them out. I apologize for the quality.

Trail Camera Update

I checked my cameras yesterday after leaving them out three weeks longer than in years past. No Mountain Lion photos for approximately 6 weeks now. The Bobcat or Bobcats remain quite active. I think I am seeing two different Bobcats. One appears to be smaller and lighter colored.

The Bobcat in the first two photos appears to be a lighter color than the one posted below. Maybe its just the light. I don’t know how to tell them apart.

The Mule Deer bucks are already sprouting horn growth. The rate of growth will be another interesting observable visual over the next few months. I am looking forward to seeing fawns show up soon as well.

I always carry my camera with me when hiking into this area and I did get some geese photos. I saw a beaver as well but didn’t get any photos of it. One pair of geese already have a healthy brood following them while others are just setting up housekeeping.

What a difference a couple of weeks makes. The last few months it has been so quiet out there. Winter silence has passed. The bird song, quacking and honking was ever present yesterday as I made my way along the trails. Tending the cameras year-round will motivate me to make more trips and hikes along the river. It will be interesting to see what wildlife I spot in person over the summer.

Winter Bobcats

My trail camera sets picked up quite a few photos of Bobcats over the winter. The nice thing about the smaller cats is that they often show up during the daylight hours affording better pictures.

Checking the time stamp shows that these animals are not averse to wandering around in the middle of the day. I have sat out on some of their more traveled trails in camouflage as I would so like to capture them with my real camera. They are so beautiful! No luck so far. I’ll keep trying.

It’s always an extra bonus to get a photo of a predator with prey. The photo below shows a Bobcat with a cottontail rabbit in its mouth. This area has abundance of rabbits, both cottontails and jackrabbits. Bobcats also prey on birds, mice, voles and human’s small pets.

Lots of folks have told me that Bobcats will move out if Mountain Lions are in the area. I think the photos show that isn’t always true. The fact that the Lions seem to be primarily or possibly exclusively nocturnal may be why the smaller Bobcats are choosing to hunt during the day.

I’m most likely capturing the same Bobcat. I have no way of knowing or telling them apart. The one I’m seeing looks very healthy and well fed. Just like with the Mountain Lions I am looking forward to seeing and chronicling their summertime activities this year. Hopefully kittens will show up following mama Bobcat soon.

Finally a Bobcat!

While I am enjoying all the images and information that I have been able to gather on deer and coyote movements, I will admit that I have been eagerly anticipating getting images of Bobcats and Mountain Lions. I have been assured that both frequent the property. As such, I am carrying bear spray on my belt when I wander the around just in case of an encounter. A reminder of the need to be aware and vigilante came this week when it was reported that a young girl out walking her dog was attacked by a mountain lion south of this area. Fortunately, both girl and dog were not seriously injured but it is cause for concern. These are not great pictures. Trail cams don’t take the quality of images a DSLR camera takes but I am thrilled to see the bobcat showing up on two different nights on my camera. In a couple of the photos it shows the bobcat carrying a rabbit in it’s mouth after a successful hunt. Now on to capturing a Lion.