The Bobcat

[Russell]

Calling wildlife is an inexact science. Predators are especially tough... For every animal you call within camera range chances are that you tried several times before, unsuccessfully.

Every now and then, things just click. Two days before Christmas, I sat looking east at the edge where a cutover patch of trees and a tall grass prairie meet. Using a FoxPro electronic caller that mimics the sounds of an imperiled bluejay, it took only five minutes to attract every bluejay within earshot and a couple of more minutes to get the attention of a passing hawk.

At the twenty-two minute mark, I caught movement out of the corner of my eye and noticed this beautiful female bobcat inching towards the sound.

Photographically, the setup was perfect: an overcast sky made the light soft and a crossing wind that drifted from north to south made sure that the bobcat wouldn't smell me. She was only 17 yards away and with the tripod mounted 500mm lens, my distance to the cat was ideal.

Despite the blaring sound of the call, the bobcat heard the shutter click on the first picture I took. She hung around and stared curiously for about a minute until she finally ran back into the brush.

Thirty minutes of walking in and set up, and twenty two minutes of listening to the call for a single minute of photographic frenzy.

It was worth the wait.

[MHampton]

Great shots!! I'm jealous!

[iCe]

Gorgeous Cat

[houtex01]

Very nice capture Russell...excellent work on the photos...being outdoors + observing wildlife in its natural habitat + capturing it in your camera = Wildlife Photography...

Ron

[sdenman]

Very nice capture Russell. I always enjoy your posts.

[Patti Edens]

Oh, my! What a thrill that single minute must have been! Thanks for sharing your story and beautiful photos.

[corralup]

That's really neat, Russell. My property in Smithville has bobcats and would love to do this myself.

[DigitalScape]

Wildlife at its best - excellent images, Russell

[Russell]

Thanks, guys. I've been out calling a bit lately and its both fun and frustrating at the same time. Just when you think you've got a perfect setup you see nothing.

I'll keep trying, though.

[Todd Lambert]

That's patience right there. But, well worth it in the payoff, as those are great shots!

[gll]

nice shot, just curious if you use a blind when calling

[David Alaniz]

Great shots, I really like the first one how he is outstretched and composition. Looks like a smile on his face.

[iCe]

Originally Posted by gll

nice shot, just curious if you use a blind when calling

If he wasn't then I'm going to be triple impressed Bobcats don't usually tolerate people since most people shoot them or at least at them. They are kind of hard on the deer population but every time I hit a deer I'm grateful for Bobcats...

[JohnT]

This is awesome! I saw one this evening but couldn't get a decent shot as it ran off. I'll be going back out for more though.

[scottbuckel]

Nice story with the great photos.

Scott