I thought it was about time to post in the new wildlife forum. We do leave 2 water trays out in the desert behind our place mainly for the birds but other animals take advantage to stop by and get a drink. We have had a lot of bobcat activity in the desert behind our place the last several weeks and this bobcat stopped by to get a drink in the early afternoon. Seeing this bobcat in the bright light made me realized how well they can blend into the desert environment. When I take my walks in the desert after work I would see them for a brief moment and then they are gone. They same thing for the coyotes. I would spot them when I am walking and I try to follow so I can get a good shot. About a minute later I would get a brief glimpse behind me as they have circled around me. It is a fun game of hide and seek except I am the one always seeking but it is still enjoyable just to get out.
Bobcat image taken in Tucson, AZ from living room with back door open.
Regards,
Jim
We have bobcats, mountain lions, coyotes, elk, mule deer and bighorn sheep living on our place in the Southwest, and I've never caught so much as snapshot. We even manage our land for them, but the predators remain too suspicious for more than occasional glimpses and lots of tracks.
I was holding a ladder for my wife when she hissed "Don't move.... Lion." She could see it from atop the ladder, while it was invisible to me in the knee-high grass. It turns out that is was passing within 30 feet of us, but I never got to see more than tracks. I doubt a water pan would help with a river close, but following your example, maybe I should cut some grass!
Posted by Richard Ditch on March 4, 2011 at 11:16 AM
Neat! I've had very few encounters with bobcats - 3 here in AZ and once in NM.
What a treat for you to have these cats virtually in your back yard Jim. Neat shot too. As many as we have here in Utah and as much time as I spend wandering around in the back country and I've still only seen one within a reasonable distance. I enjoyed seeing this photo. Good timing with the tongue too.
I thought I would also post an image of the Sonoran desert environment looking out from the back porch. There is around 60 arces behind us and since moving to this place we have discovered it is kind of like an corridor for the animals to make there way through NW Tucson. I do most of my bird photography on this property as well.
Jim
I've only been to Tuscon twice, but I've always enjoyed the fact that people use desert landscaping for their yards. I also really enjoy the desert. After seeing the picture from your back porch, my reaction is, "Do you have a spare bed room?" Best of luck with your neighborhood wildlife corridor.
Posted by Ed Williams on April 16, 2011 at 11:07 PM
Watch out posting a photo of a wild animal at a water bowl or you might be arrested like the man up in Montana that was feeding the bighorn sheep to get photographs. http://www.pdnonline.com/pdn/news/Photographer-Jailed--2042.shtml
I guess the Fish a Wildlife folks have different opinions about this kind of behaviour in different areas. I for one am glad they provide tanks in the Kofa Wildlife Preserve for the Desert Bighorn sheep in Arizona. Seems pretty similar to this situation or the situation in Montana, but if the wardens do it I guess that is different.
Maybe it is the proximity to a road that makes the difference.
Discussion
7 repliesBobcat image taken in Tucson, AZ from living room with back door open.
Regards,
Jim
We have bobcats, mountain lions, coyotes, elk, mule deer and bighorn sheep living on our place in the Southwest, and I've never caught so much as snapshot. We even manage our land for them, but the predators remain too suspicious for more than occasional glimpses and lots of tracks.
I was holding a ladder for my wife when she hissed "Don't move.... Lion." She could see it from atop the ladder, while it was invisible to me in the knee-high grass. It turns out that is was passing within 30 feet of us, but I never got to see more than tracks. I doubt a water pan would help with a river close, but following your example, maybe I should cut some grass!
Sandy
Jim
I guess the Fish a Wildlife folks have different opinions about this kind of behaviour in different areas. I for one am glad they provide tanks in the Kofa Wildlife Preserve for the Desert Bighorn sheep in Arizona. Seems pretty similar to this situation or the situation in Montana, but if the wardens do it I guess that is different.
Maybe it is the proximity to a road that makes the difference.