Sleeping Bobcat

garden journal

 

This afternoon I saw the Bobcat sleeping in the big Mesquite tree in my garden.   I say "the" Bobcat because this must be the Bobcat that has been eating all the rabbits and dove, bringing balance to the community of life here.  Here he (she?) is, soon after we had eye contact.  The Bobcat was not afraid of me at all, looked at me calmly, looked away and settled his head down on the branch for a nap.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another photo zoomed in so you can see him better

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As the sun started to get low in the sky, he settled to a place lower in the tree.   The dove were also starting to land in the tree, their usual sleeping place for the night.  I enjoyed watching his ears twitch every time another dove landed nearby.  I get this feeling I was watching a nightly habit, and now I know why dove feathers fall from the sky on occasion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shortly after this he jumped around in the tree a few times, attempting to catch dove.   Maybe he caught one, it is hard to tell in such a dense tree.  I'm amazed at how far he jumped, maybe 10 feet from one branch to another.  This Bobcat was about 3 ft long and 2 ft tall when he stood up, bigger than I expected for a Bobcat.  Maybe he seemed big because of how close he was.  Initially I was standing under the tree, maybe 15 feet away, and I'm sure I was standing under him at one point.  I can only imagine how many times I've walked under the Mesquite tree and likely walked under a sleeping Bobcat.  This tree is such a tangled mess of branches that it is difficult to see up there.  This was the last picture I took before he started jumping around in the tree.  Shortly after, it got too dark to see into the tree at all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isn't he just beautiful? 

Again, I have to say thank you to the Bobcat gods...truly, a Bobcat is just what I needed at this moment in my life.

Reviews

[J]

good grief, zonie. i woulda been on the first train outa dodge ... you are an amazing creature. but then animals "know" a symbiotic soul, and it was nap time, after all. i'm truly struck nearly stupid by this encounter -- so casually documented by you. i'm not often awestruck, but you have done it to me this time. ;)

many thank yous for sharing, my friend.

[Crow]

The majesty and beauty of "mother nature" and her family never ceases to leave my spirit in awe.

What a beautiful moment of nature.... truly blessed you found such a wonderful cat in your tree... The last picture is stunning!

[NoneOfYourBusiness akaK..]

blessed be!~ this is blessing in its most untainted form~ how I envy you these moments . . . . how I rejoice for moments such as this!~

[Neva Flores Smith - Cha..]

He is truly beautiful. You are not afraid of him?

[Ruth]

I have no words for how truly beautiful your work and heart is DD! You always inspire me and when I read your work, I am transcended! xoxo

[Emily B]

beautiful . . . we had one in a tree beside our house when we lived in Ohio . . . my pups kept disappearing . . .

[Ed Hart]

i knew all along how blessed you are...your aura does not ruffle the aether