Bobcat in the neighborhood
There's nothing that will get me more excited to write than seeing wildlife in my own neighborhood. Last week I had a few errands so I traded vehicles with my husband. I always carry my camera and binoculars in my car so this was one of the rare times I’m without them. I’d just turned out of the driveway and wouldn't you know there sat the bobcat I photographed a few years ago in my backyard. I reached for my camera 
under the seat and realized I was in my husband’s truck.
It was exciting getting to see the bobcat again and I wasn't about to miss the opportunity to get a few pics. I threw the truck in reverse and drove backwards into my driveway. Within a minute I had my camera and was back to where I saw him. There he sat in the sun watching me. He had moved deeper into my neighbor’s yard but that didn't stop me from taking photos.
After staring at me for over a minute he headed under a cedar. The shadows were so deep I lost track of him. I went back home to get my binoculars and started my search again. After 15 minutes I decided there wasn't any way he could have got past the cedar without me seeing him.
I sat there intensely concentrating on every dark shadow trying to imagine every shape being him. After about three minutes of panning the tree line I got a glimpse of his yellow eyes. I took a few photos from the truck then decided to see how close he'd let me get I'd only walked about ten feet when I noticed his bobbed tail swishing. I decided to slowly lay down in the grass for a better angle. He laid there curiously watching my every move. He got up and for a split second I thought he was going to come up to me. My hands start to quiver but I never look at him with my naked eye, only the lens of the camera.
What an adrenalin rush seeing this awesome creature. Now my hands are beginning to sweat and I lay there wondering if I'd gone too far to get a photo of this awesome cat. And at that very second he decided to leave his good company and headed off. I continued to click away until he was out of sight. I jumped in the truck and relocated him a few feet off the road. I took a few more pics before he headed down towards the creek.
I have to say I haven’t had many unexpected experiences in my life that will top this adventure on the way to the feed store. But in the future I’ll welcome each and every one as if it were the first :)
under the seat and realized I was in my husband’s truck.It was exciting getting to see the bobcat again and I wasn't about to miss the opportunity to get a few pics. I threw the truck in reverse and drove backwards into my driveway. Within a minute I had my camera and was back to where I saw him. There he sat in the sun watching me. He had moved deeper into my neighbor’s yard but that didn't stop me from taking photos.
After staring at me for over a minute he headed under a cedar. The shadows were so deep I lost track of him. I went back home to get my binoculars and started my search again. After 15 minutes I decided there wasn't any way he could have got past the cedar without me seeing him.
I sat there intensely concentrating on every dark shadow trying to imagine every shape being him. After about three minutes of panning the tree line I got a glimpse of his yellow eyes. I took a few photos from the truck then decided to see how close he'd let me get I'd only walked about ten feet when I noticed his bobbed tail swishing. I decided to slowly lay down in the grass for a better angle. He laid there curiously watching my every move. He got up and for a split second I thought he was going to come up to me. My hands start to quiver but I never look at him with my naked eye, only the lens of the camera.
What an adrenalin rush seeing this awesome creature. Now my hands are beginning to sweat and I lay there wondering if I'd gone too far to get a photo of this awesome cat. And at that very second he decided to leave his good company and headed off. I continued to click away until he was out of sight. I jumped in the truck and relocated him a few feet off the road. I took a few more pics before he headed down towards the creek.
I have to say I haven’t had many unexpected experiences in my life that will top this adventure on the way to the feed store. But in the future I’ll welcome each and every one as if it were the first :)
