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10/06/12
Bobcats and birds
Filed under: General, Birding & Outdoors, Florida & SE US, Birding "Patches", Bald Eagle Nest, Wild Bird Wednesday, Bird D'pot
Posted by: Ken @ 1:00 pm

It was about 15 minutes after sunrise and cloudy when Mary Lou and I approached the bend in the road at the junction of the unpaved portions of Miramar Parkway and SW 196th Avenue. I had pre-set the ISO at 800 (aperture open all the way to f/5.6) but did not expect to take any photos until after we completed the fast-paced “aerobic” mile into the wetlands adjacent to our subdivision. Only about a quarter mile into our walk, we suddenly saw a Bobcat standing almost in the middle of the road, about 100 yards away.

Bobcat 2-20121005

This was the first time one had posed out in the open roadway like that. We slowly moved up to about 50 yards before the cat fled. Unfortunately, I had kept the camera in an air conditioned room, and the lens fogged up pretty badly in the stifling heat and humidity. I wiped them a few times, but the quality of all the photos suffered.

Bobcat close HDR 20121005

This was about the sharpest image I got, so I processed it a couple of different ways. The above one is made up of four layers on the cropped original RAW image, each with a different exposure compensation (-1.0, -0.5, +0.5 and +1.0), thus producing an HDR-like effect. The cat suddenly fled towards the levee path that follows south along the 196th Avenue Canal.

Bobcat fleeing 20121005

I followed the Bobcat’s retreat route up along the levee path, but never caught sight of it again. However, I found very fresh Bobcat scat. The Bobcat dropped these feces out in the open with no attempt to conceal them, suggesting it was a male. Females usually deposit it less conspicuously and often scratch dirt over it as do House Cats. Note heavy black “tar” color due to digested blood, characteristic “Tootsie Roll” segmentation, large bore (~1 inch), inclusion of much hair and few bone fragments.

Very Fresh Bobcat scat 20121005

Three female White-tailed Deer appeared up ahead and walked towards me. I stood motionless , but the sun was getting higher and I became uncomfortably hot and finally started to move into a shady area. This frightened the does. It is a treat to see them here, as they are not very abundant.

Three White-tailed Does 2-20121005

I gave up my attempt to stalk the Bobcat and checked out the birds. A Loggerhead Shrike looked down at me from the top of a shrub.

Loggerhead Shrike 20121003

Moving back down the what is left of my “Fake Hammock,” I took a spot in the shade and waited to see which birds might show up. This Northern Mockingbird was one of several moving about.

Northern Mockingbird 20121003

Predictably, a Prairie Warbler came out of hiding.

Prairie Warbler 4-20121003

An Ovenbird peered out from the deep foliage.

Ovenbird 20121003

Several Brown Thrashers have congregated in this area, more often heard than seen. This one flew out into the open.

Brown Thrasher 20121003

A pair of Common Yellowthroats busily foraged in the low vegetation. The male briefly came out into the light.

Common Yellowthroat 20121005

Palm Warblers have arrived in good numbers. All are of the somber Western subspecies. Oddly, the east coast birds turn to the southwest before reaching Florida and the Gulf of Mexico, on their way to spend the winter in Texas and Mexico. Their paths cross with the western population, which flies SE to winter in Florida and Cuba. They reverse the criss-cross pattern when returning north in spring.

Palm Warbler 20121005

Suddenly a Northern Waterthrush walked out of the darkness unto a small limb, its tail slowly bobbing characteristically.

Northern Waterthrush 4-20121005

The waterthrush paused to look me over before flying off.

Northern Waterthrush 20121005

A Bald Eagle flew over, tracking a perfect line from its nesting area two miles northwest in Pembroke Pines to the large lake in our subdivision. For updates on our local eagle nest, visit my Bald Eagle Nest Watch FORUM.

Bald Eagle 20121003

On the way home, I saw several White-winged Doves lined up on a neighbor’s roof.

White-winged Doves 20120928

16 Responses to “Bobcats and birds”

  1. Pat Says:
    October 6th, 2012 at 1:27 pm How cool to see the bobcat in the middle of the road! The picture of the deer is really lovely and I love the series of beautifully photographed birds.
  2. Modesto Viegas Says:
    October 6th, 2012 at 4:54 pm Great post!!!
  3. Gemma Wiseman Says:
    October 6th, 2012 at 6:02 pm Great collection of birds! Adore the little yellow throat and the waterthrush! But what a find with a bobcat on the wander! Fantastic experience!
  4. Lauren Leon Says:
    October 7th, 2012 at 4:37 am WOW is all I can say. I have been foolowing your blog for about a year now , and did meeet you last year at Chapel Trail board walk. My girlfriend and I have been out there many pre dawn mornings and late evenings to see those bobcats you bolg about saw one, one the first evening we were there we were so shocked didnt get a picture , Nothing since our last time was 2 weekemds ago. Great pictures, gives mr hope. Love your blog.
  5. Boom & Gary Says:
    October 7th, 2012 at 7:26 am Beautiful sequence!! Wonderful seeing the bobcat. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
  6. TexWisGirl Says:
    October 7th, 2012 at 7:47 am absolutely WONDERFUL! the bobcat sighting is great. your bird photos are once again fabulous. loved the deer photo, and that thrasher pic is fantastic!
  7. Adam Jones Says:
    October 8th, 2012 at 2:38 pm Some really stunning birds there and love the Bobcat.
  8. Carole M. Says:
    October 9th, 2012 at 2:31 pm interesting seeing the bob-cat, and Northern Mockingbird and the Prairie Warbler my favourites for today
  9. Eileen Says:
    October 9th, 2012 at 4:18 pm Wow, cool shots of the Bobcat. And the Shrike is neat too. Great birds and photos, Ken!
  10. Mick Says:
    October 9th, 2012 at 6:19 pm Beautiful birds and a great variety of wild-life to see on your morning’s walk. The bobcat photos are magical.
  11. Phil (@anotherbirdblog) Says:
    October 10th, 2012 at 2:16 am I reckon it must be quite special to see a Bobcat out in the open like that? Love your bird pictures again, esp the Brown Thrasher and the Ovenbird just showing its crown like that.
  12. NatureFootstep Says:
    October 10th, 2012 at 4:38 pm a lot of great birds and photos. Depite the fog. :)
  13. Larry Jordan Says:
    October 10th, 2012 at 10:30 pm It’s been quite awhile since I have seen a Bobcat. They are such gorgeous animals. Your bird photography is exceptional as always Ken and interesting information on the Palm warbler too. My favorites would have to be the Waterthrush shots. I’m glad to see that you can still sit quietly and find birds in your fake hammock!
  14. Stewart M Says:
    October 11th, 2012 at 3:49 am The birds are great - but I would be wonderful to see a Bobcat in the wild! (Although I suppose you may say the same thing about kangaroos!) Thanks for linking to WBW Stewart M - Australia
  15. Neil Says:
    October 12th, 2012 at 7:13 pm Great place for birds and bobcat.
  16. ken schneider Says:
    October 16th, 2012 at 5:47 pm Thanks all, for your comments!

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