Non-feathered Guest

Although my blog is devoted to birds, I will post unusual or interesting non-bird photographs. The following photos are of a young Bobcat. Note the short tail with a black tip, the white ears with black edges and the slightly spotted coat. The ear tufts are just beginning to appear.

Bobcats are widespread in southern Canada, the US and northern Mexico. They can be found close to human development where it abuts suitable habitat. They are active at dawn and dusk and are thus rarely observed. This individual was active in mid-morning for some reason and that was lucky for me.

I encountered this young Bobcat while doing some photography in a town-owned former farm that now has a small leased farm, community garden and walking area. It is in a well populated suburban area that has some large wood lots mixed in among the neighborhoods. Apparently there is enough open space for him or her. I was .9 miles (1.4 km) in a direct line from my house to where I took these pictures. There is a large amount of wooded area between so it isn’t hard to imagine that this Bobcat has been at my home at some point.