Bobcat family

[Rookie Roy]

I waited a long time hoping to photograph a bobcat. A few weeks after the hurricane here in Florida I stopped by Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge late in the afternoon when I was working near there. I was disappointed to learn that Black Point Drive was closed due to flooding. I went instead to Scrub Jay Ridge as Florida Scrub Jays are always fun to photograph. I stayed there until it was getting dark. As I was driving out 3 bobcats crossed the road in front of me. I stopped and got out of the car with the hope of seeing them again. I found them on an overgrown road/trail in the swamp. I was suprised that they let me follow them and I was able to get photographs. As it was pretty dark, and I was using a 500mm pf handheld, I remembered Steve’s advice to shoot bursts, hoping that I would get some in focus. Other that cropping these photos are unaltered. Looked to me like a mother and 2 kittens.

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[frdjohns]

Nice set of images. I know that these guys can be elusive and hard to photograph.

 

[MrFotoFool]

Fantastic sighting! Coincidental that you posted this just now, because I just got home from work and had a bobcat cross in front of my car about two blocks from my condo (Tucson, Arizona). There is another place in Tucson I used to see them often, but this is the first time I have seen one near my place (and only second time I have seen one in my greater neighborhood). It was pitch black and I didn't have a camera anyway, so no photo for me.

What is unusual about your sighting is that the biggest one that appears to be the mother has a bluish tint to her eyes, whereas the kittens both have yellow eyes. With most wild cats, including bobcats, kittens are born with blue eyes that turn yellow after several months. Every once in a while an individual keeps its blue eyes into adulthood, so this mother is indeed a rarity. As you may also know there have been a couple of verified sightings of black (melanistic) bobcats in Florida over the years. If you see one of those I might die of envy.

 

[Rookie Roy]

Nice set of images. I know that these guys can be elusive and hard to photograph.

Thank you Fred! I was fortunate to see them.

Fantastic sighting! Coincidental that you posted this just now, because I just got home from work and had a bobcat cross in front of my car about two blocks from my condo (Tucson, Arizona). There is another place in Tucson I used to see them often, but this is the first time I have seen one near my place (and only second time I have seen one in my greater neighborhood). It was pitch black and I didn't have a camera anyway, so no photo for me.

What is unusual about your sighting is that the biggest one that appears to be the mother has a bluish tint to her eyes, whereas the kittens both have yellow eyes. With most wild cats, including bobcats, kittens are born with blue eyes that turn yellow after several months. Every once in a while an individual keeps its blue eyes into adulthood, so this mother is indeed a rarity. As you may also know there have been a couple of verified sightings of black (melanistic) bobcats in Florida over the years. If you see one of those I might die of envy.

Thank you Fred for your comments and information on Florida Bobcats! I did not notice the eye colors and hadn’t heard about the black bobcats.

 

[Mark Garfinkel]

What an opportunity, once in a
life time.

 

[Ralph]

I waited a long time hoping to photograph a bobcat. A few weeks after the hurricane here in Florida I stopped by Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge late in the afternoon when I was working near there. I was disappointed to learn that Black Point Drive was closed due to flooding. I went instead to Scrub Jay Ridge as Florida Scrub Jays are always fun to photograph. I stayed there until it was getting dark. As I was driving out 3 bobcats crossed the road in front of me. I stopped and got out of the car with the hope of seeing them again. I found them on an overgrown road/trail in the swamp. I was suprised that they let me follow them and I was able to get photographs. As it was pretty dark, and I was using a 500mm pf handheld, I remembered Steve’s advice to shoot bursts, hoping that I would get some in focus. Other that cropping these photos are unaltered. Looked to me like a mother and 2 kittens.View attachment 55658

View attachment 55659View attachment 55660

View attachment 55661

Excellent set Roy! Well done

 

[Winston Churchill (Sir)]

Great set of images.

 

[Rookie Roy]

Excellent set Roy! Well done

Ralph, thank you for responding! I appreciate the triple thumbs up!

Great set of images.

Thank you Elsa!

What an opportunity, one in a life time.

I agree Mark, likely a once in a lifetime! I would have been so disappointed if I didn’t get any shots in focus.

 

[Irap]

Super shots Roy!

 

[Rookie Roy]

Thank you Ira!

 

[Patrick M]

great set of images!

 

[AlanTW]

Superb, especially #2

 

[Harry.G]

Great images Roy ,well done for taking advantage of the unexpected oppertunity .. If I had to pick a winner it would be number 2 closely followed by #3


Harry.G

 

[Highbow]

I waited a long time hoping to photograph a bobcat. A few weeks after the hurricane here in Florida I stopped by Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge late in the afternoon when I was working near there. I was disappointed to learn that Black Point Drive was closed due to flooding. I went instead to Scrub Jay Ridge as Florida Scrub Jays are always fun to photograph. I stayed there until it was getting dark. As I was driving out 3 bobcats crossed the road in front of me. I stopped and got out of the car with the hope of seeing them again. I found them on an overgrown road/trail in the swamp. I was suprised that they let me follow them and I was able to get photographs. As it was pretty dark, and I was using a 500mm pf handheld, I remembered Steve’s advice to shoot bursts, hoping that I would get some in focus. Other that cropping these photos are unaltered. Looked to me like a mother and 2 kittens.View attachment 55658

View attachment 55659View attachment 55660

View attachment 55661

Lucky you, very nice photos .

 

[ssheipel]

Nicely captured!

 

[NorthernFocus]

You did good. Nice job.

 

[Charles Loy]

Fantastic, how exciting it was for you! Mom will be running her cubs away soon..

 

[Rookie Roy]

great set of images!

Thank you Patrick!

Superb, especially #2

Thank you Alan. My favorite also!

Great images Roy ,well done for taking advantage of the unexpected oppertunity .. If I had to pick a winner it would be number 2 closely followed by #3


Harry.G

Thank you Harry! I was thrilled to find them.

Nicely captured!

Thank you Steven!

You did good. Nice job.

Thank you Dan! I’m getting better but still taking my lumps as well!

Fantastic, how exciting it was for you! Mom will be running her cubs away soon..

Thank you Charles! Having that experience really does give me high for several days!