And Then There He Was - UPDATE December 30, 2022
Bobcat
The sun had set. The turkey parts on the second floor deck were still there after several days. Blue jays had been pecking at them, but they were for the little bobcat. Then suddenly, there he was! Just outside the door through the full length window. The light was fading enough that his pupils were open more than I’d seen before. I grabbed the camera and tried to move silently, but he spotted me, heard the clicks, looked curiously, and turned, Bobcat
Bobcat
trying to eat the frozen the turkey parts. I wondered if I could give him a treat of non-frozen bologna. I turned the knob ever so slowly, but the first millimeter had his full attention, watching and listening for the door to move. I inched it millimeter by millimeter, with him slightly jumping with every movement and finally bolting a few feet down the steps. I dropped the bologna, quietly closed the door, and he came back, cautiously sniffing toward the bologna as if it was something dangerous. When he finally sniffed it closely, he made a face and jerked away—three times. No thank you. I wasn’t sure there was any turkey left, but he very obviously rejected the bologna that the fox would have eagerly taken, and calmly walked down the stairs and into the garage where he also disappeared on camera a day or two ago. I hope he’s found a secure spot in there. I hope he’s around for the course people to see in the summer.
Thank you bobcat, and thank you all for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center
