My First Florida Bobcat

teamracephotosteamracephotos Registered Users Posts: 492 Major grins
edited May 1, 2009 in Wildlife
525244180_cs5Ni-XL.jpg

We (my dog Blaze and I) came across this on the way back to the truck. Sun had just gone down, it had its head turned away from us at first as soon as it dawned on me what it was he turned and looked right at us. It stayed put for a few seconds then took off.
Unfortunately I had been capturing birds flying over and did not get a chance to adjust my camera settings. It’s not as sharp as I would like it to be. It was about thirty feet (10 meters) away. I was using a D200 with a Nikon 70-200mm f2.8. MM

My dog is usually with me I have a leash that connects to me. He is very respectful of most things we come across. I think he was afraid of this cat…. Cause he didn’t bark or anything…. Just stood still waiting for my direction... good dog!
“I love not man the less, but Nature more.”
— Lord Byron

Comments

  • rusticrustic Registered Users Posts: 199 Major grins
    edited April 30, 2009
    I'd say your dog was smart to keep his distance, I don't think he'd want to get in a fight with this fella. Must have caught you by surprise!

    Are these common down in your area?
    http://rustic.smugmug.com
  • teamracephotosteamracephotos Registered Users Posts: 492 Major grins
    edited April 30, 2009
    rustic wrote:
    I'd say your dog was smart to keep his distance, I don't think he'd want to get in a fight with this fella. Must have caught you by surprise!

    Are these common down in your area?

    Yes very common. I see them and the signs of them often but never this close!
    “I love not man the less, but Nature more.”
    — Lord Byron
  • kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited April 30, 2009
    What a magnificent animal. For a fleeting shot, you did extremely well. Great capture! thumb.gif


    -joel
    Moderator of Landscapes forum
    Link to my Smugmug site
  • dlplumerdlplumer Registered Users Posts: 8,081 Major grins
    edited April 30, 2009
    Great capture. clap.gif I love this animal, and was lucky to capture one here in Tucson which I previously posted.

    Dan:D
    Dan
    http://danielplumer.com/
    Facebook Fan Page
  • teamracephotosteamracephotos Registered Users Posts: 492 Major grins
    edited April 30, 2009
    dlplumer wrote:
    Great capture. clap.gif I love this animal, and was lucky to capture one here in Tucson which I previously posted.

    Dan:D

    Thanks Dan, Was that the one on the telephone pole? I remember admiring that one very much.
    “I love not man the less, but Nature more.”
    — Lord Byron
  • TonyCooperTonyCooper Registered Users Posts: 2,276 Major grins
    edited April 30, 2009
    Where was the shot taken? Back in February, the Winter Park (HS) Wildcats played the (Gainesville ) Buchholz Bobcats in basketball, but those are the only bobcats I've heard about in this area.

    Tony (from Longwood)
    Tony Cooper - Orlando, Florida
    http://tonycooper.smugmug.com/
  • teamracephotosteamracephotos Registered Users Posts: 492 Major grins
    edited May 1, 2009
    TonyCooper wrote:
    Where was the shot taken? Back in February, the Winter Park (HS) Wildcats played the (Gainesville ) Buchholz Bobcats in basketball, but those are the only bobcats I've heard about in this area.

    Tony (from Longwood)

    This was the north end of lake Apopka on property that used to be farm land, but is now owned by the state or feds. There are signs warning you about the DDT still present. I believe it is an EPA Superfund site. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Apopka
    You can find Bobcats all around Florida. Close to you is Wekiva State park, also the Merritt Island Wildlife refuge I have seen them there but never been as close to one as this.
    “I love not man the less, but Nature more.”
    — Lord Byron
  • youcantryreachingmeyoucantryreachingme Registered Users Posts: 14 Big grins
    edited May 1, 2009
    I like it
    I like the contrast between the fur colour and the background vegetation. I like that the greenery is blurred - it accentuates the cat's face. I like the posture - it really says "hey - you caught me off guard, from behind; am I safe or should I bolt?" and the face is just so sweet; I could stare at it for hours! :)
    :oogle youcantryreachingme.smugmug.com
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited May 1, 2009
    Good work Mark! clap.gifclap.gif I have seen bobcats lots of times but I've never been able to get a decent shot of them.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • teamracephotosteamracephotos Registered Users Posts: 492 Major grins
    edited May 1, 2009
    Thanks Chris!
    youcantryreachingme wrote:
    I like the contrast between the fur colour and the background vegetation. I like that the greenery is blurred - it accentuates the cat's face. I like the posture - it really says "hey - you caught me off guard, from behind; am I safe or should I bolt?" and the face is just so sweet; I could stare at it for hours! :)

    All three of us where suprised! I am really lucky to have been so close. MM
    “I love not man the less, but Nature more.”
    — Lord Byron
  • teamracephotosteamracephotos Registered Users Posts: 492 Major grins
    edited May 1, 2009
    Thank you Harry
    Harryb wrote:
    Good work Mark! clap.gifclap.gif I have seen bobcats lots of times but I've never been able to get a decent shot of them.

    IF you ever want to come over and check out this area just let me know...I could take you there or get you a map. This is the first time I had been to this side of the property. It has some very big cells (ponds) like your wetlands over there.... but you can not drive back you have to hoof it or bike. There are a couple of tower platforms with roofs that would be very productive for someone with a long lens. MM
    “I love not man the less, but Nature more.”
    — Lord Byron
  • pardespardes Registered Users Posts: 48 Big grins
    edited May 1, 2009
    Superb catch! Once again you make me homesick for seeing such things when I lived in Florida.
    "A photograph is a secret about a secret." Diane Arbus
    Pardes Personal Blog - View From Pardes
    Pardes Magazine Blog - Cloister Voices
  • Cygnus StudiosCygnus Studios Registered Users Posts: 2,294 Major grins
    edited May 1, 2009
    Great shot. We get them here pretty frequently and I have only seen one as he ran in the opposite direction.
    Steve

    Website
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