Monday, March 23, 2020

What's That Noise?

THIS is one of the reasons I come to Arizona.  I've been spending a lot more time outside just looking through the scrub brush.  My spidey sense hasn't been all that good lately, as the only thing I've seen beside a few birds is one glimpse of a coyote.  I wasn't fast enough to grab my camera and get a shot.

Around noon, I kept hearing an unfamiliar sound from the normal desert noises.  Not a yowl, but more like a grunt.  My first thought was a Bobcat baby was hungry or maybe Bobcat was looking for a girlfriend.  Not seeing anything, I carried on with quilting, needlepoint, puppy play and Facebook in between Evil Lives Next Door.

I learned some time ago that Bobcats wake up and head out to hunt around 4:00 or so.  I looked out the window and OMG - KITTY BUTT at the water station!!!  I snatched up my camera and began shooting, not realizing the screen door was closed.
He heard the first snap and looked around before going back to drinking.  Mom Bobcat has never parked herself on the brick paver, so I'm guessing this is one of the babies.  Isn't he a beauty?
I was in Heaven, snapping away as quietly as possible, having barely opened the screen door.  
Sadly, having had his fill of water, he wandered off into the bushes.  I waited for him to come out the other side.  Nothing.  
I crawled on my hands and knees down to the fence and sat on the wet grass just watching .... waiting.  That's weird, it looked like he layed down.  No ..... that never happens.  I waited not making a sound.  Then I saw it .... a foot move along with a tail swipe.  THAT is a kitty butt with his long back leg stretching out to the right.  WOW ... I've never seen them lay down before.  He took a nice 10 minute nap while I watched, my butt getting wetter by the minute.
He finally got up and sauntered off up the hill.  
I went inside, but couldn't take my eyes off the bushes.  I quickly changed my levis and stared out the door for the next hour, but he never returned.  What a fabulous diversion from murder and mayhem ... not the California kind going on now, but the television shows I watch.

I'll be keeping a much closer eye on the back door from now on.





16 comments:

  1. Amazing you were able to get so many wonderful pictures. That doesn't happen very often. Well worth a pair of wet pants:))

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    1. I think so Doug. I always keep an eye out, but rarely see them.

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  2. Wow! Awesome pictures of your bobcat friend getting a quick drink.

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    1. Thank you Dolly .... it's the reason I love Arizona.

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  3. Great pictures of the Bobcat. Their hearing is exceptional and their coat easily camouflages them in their surroundings.
    Be Safe and Enjoy being away from the mayhem.

    It's about time.

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    1. Thank you! They are a little bit used to humans in this area, but definitely wary.

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  4. Great pictures. And to think everybody worries about coyotes.

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    1. Yes they do ... and we have coyotes around here. I've captured a few on camera, but they are more night creatures.

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  5. Beautiful pictures of the big cat! We saw one next to a fence right next to a bike trail. He was just trotting along, ignoring us. That's great that you got those pictures.

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    1. I was thrilled Allison. I only see them maybe once a year. What a treat for me.

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  6. How do you hear them like that, do you have windows open?? Nice shots.

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    1. Thank you Dave. I didn't hear him, but most of my windows overlook the water station. I'm constantly looking for critters to take pictures of. That day I was very lucky.

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  7. Great pictures of the bobcat. Curious how far away he was from you?

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    1. He was about 40-50 feet maybe. The two babies were raised here by their Mom and don't seem to fear people. They will run off if I walk out into the yard in their direction.

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