Friday, August 8, 2014

Bobcat Sighting

Last night, about 7 pm we were sitting on the front porch when we were visited by this bobcat.  We watched it walk across our driveway, then across our yard and into a neighbor's yard.   It never paused -- just kept walking like it knew where it was going.   Unfortunately, the picture is not very clear.  But, you can see some of the cat's streaky black markings.  You can also make out the bobbed tail.

Seeing the bobcat is big news around our house.  I had previously seen one at Eaton Canyon near the nature center.   And, many years ago, our daughter told us she saw a bobcat in our yard.  Actually, she said she saw a kitty with no tail.   But, that's about it for our bobcat sightings.     

It is rare, but bobcats have been seen in some Pasadena neighborhoods.     Bobcats are indigenous to the San Gabriel mountains and foothill areas.   They are active in early morning hours and evening hours and each night may move two to seven miles within its territory.  They hunt a variety of animals ranging from mice to deer, but articles seem to mention rabbits as a favored food.   Coincidentally, I have noticed an abundance of rabbits in our neighborhood this year.   
      

5 comments:

Petrea Burchard said...

How exciting! Doesn't it feel like an honor to see such a creature?

I've seen a bobcat three times. Once was up at the Cobb Estate. My dog and I were on a high path and we saw the cat walk on a path below us. The second time, I saw one crossing Oak Grove Drive south of JPL. The most recent was at Hahamongna. This cat watched us and we watched him. He was waiting for us to leave so he could drink from the spreading basin between us.

Ann Erdman said...

We get plenty of critters in my neighborhood but I've never seen a bobcat here. I don't think I've ever seen one anywhere now that I think about it.

Pasadena Adjacent said...

I've seen two in Highland park

David Sneiders said...

Yes! My ami's neighbor saw one above Cresthaven in Garvanza AKA HP/Pasadena border. I've just seen owl's, skunks & pocket gophers on my ami's empty HP lot & coyote's & coons near Johnson's Lake below La Loma. Amazing sighting Michael!

Dean said...

My wife and I saw one as we were driving in a golf cart while playing golf at Compass Pointe Golf Course on June 27, 2017. We were shocked as we rounded a bend and this bobcat was taking its time as it was on the paved trail about 35 feet in front of us. We stopped/slowed as it continued walking. As we followed it for about 45 seconds, it slowly walked into the woods. We got out of our cart and walked to get a better look at it. It hopped up onto a downed tree and stood there, looked back at us and didn't seem alarmed. As it walked further into the woods, we lost track of it. It was a great sighting!