Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Bona Fide Bobcats

My parents lived for a time in Estes Park, Colorado.  Estes Park is a little town at the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park.  At the time I was also living in Colorado - Ft. Collins, Loveland, and later metro Denver - so I visited them on a regular basis and spent many weekends in the mountains with them.

There was a lot of wildlife in the area and seeing herds of deer and elk was a common occurrence.  I'll never forget one weekend though that I was in the guest room making the bed and happened to glance out the window.  There sitting on a rock right outside the window was a bobcat.  THAT was very unusual and the only time I ever saw one.  I quickly and quietly called mom and dad to come look, and we were all enthralled getting a glimpse at this gorgeous cat.  It sat there for quite a few minutes and then slowly started up the hill behind their house.  I noticed that there was a herd of deer also on the hill and that one was limping.  I'm sure the bobcat was following the deer and hoping for a venison dinner, no doubt with its eye on the injured one.

Source:  Knowledge Rush

The bobcat got its name from its bobbed tail and is a member of the lynx family with 12 recognized subspecies.  It prefers to eat rabbits and rodents, but will go after deer when other food is more scarce.  Birds, fish and insects are also on the menu.  It's very adaptable and lives in a variety of habitats from southern Canada to northern Mexico, and shares part of its range with its larger cousin, the Canadian Lynx.  It is territorial and pretty much a loner, except when mom is raising her cubs.

Source:  WallpaperWeb

Bobcats have tufted ears with black tips and a spotted coat that acts as camouflage.  They prefer to hunt at night, but is seen more during the day in fall and winter when preferred food is also more active.  They are opportunistic hunters and will vary their diet according to what's available.

Seeing this beauty up close and personal is something I'll never forget.  For a video of a bobcat, click here.

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