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Friday, September 16, 2011

I live in Los Gatos - "the cats"

Speaking of the bobcat ...


 - Jenna at  Four Windows With a View commented:  "You sounded so ho hum about that bobcat that I'm thinking that must not be the first time you've seen one."


Yes, Jenna, I have seen him before.  My yard is part of his territory and I leave him little treats from time to time.  No, not kitty treats.  Nor people food.  You see, I have no resident cat to catch the rodents that like my garages and wood pile, so I have a number of traps set here and there which I check on a daily basis. 


 Whenever I catch a rodent, instead of putting it in a bag and putting it into the garbage, (which is what I used to do) I take it to the edge of the forest, where I have seen "Bob" and leave it for him.  


I don't know if he takes them, or if it is the raccoons or some other critter, but they always disappear.  I don't know if a bobcat will eat something already dead, but if he does I hope he will stick around and hunt.


Now then, this kitty is one I do not want to have hanging around! 



This picture was taken just before dawn along a road not far from here, by a delivery truck driver.  He reported it and posted several pictures on our local YAHOO information group.


The "kill" was a goat.  The mountain lion was then seen carrying the goat over a fence where she was joined by another cat.  Probably her half grown cub.


This was just a few days ago, less than six miles from here.  Mountain lions range well over ten miles. 


 I have never seen one myself, but one of my neighbors spotted one across the road from our front door a few years ago. I don't walk in our forest alone at dawn or dusk.  When I do, I try to make lots of noise.  They are here, but I am not afraid. 


 I am more likely to get hurt in a car accident than attacked by a Mountain Lion.  Bt I do respect their presence and practice "good sense."  I do not move or act like a deer. No jogging for me! And if one came up the drive when I was in the Alfa, I guess I should  close the door!

13 comments:

  1. You have a great place there. But yes always be alert and show respect, To many people forget that. Of course sometimes we just aren't aware of them before they see us. We had a woman maled last month in Pinetop, as she walked her dog. Never saw the bear until it was to late. She went through alot before she died.

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  2. Yes Merikay another excuse for why I don't jog :) - glad to see you are enjoying your alfa...

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  3. Yeah, you don't need to move the Alfa to go camping. You already have a great campsite. When you're in the Alfa, with all the windows, maybe you'll see the Mountain Lion. It would be exciting. Good idea to leave the mice for the Bobcat...help him develop a taste for them.

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  4. They are great creatures. Respect & enjoy their help in keeping the rodent population down :)

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  5. What a beautiful place you have!! So much nature and wildlife....but, as you said, be careful and respectful of their habitat.

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  6. Isn't it great to live "way out there"? We get to experience things many others won't!

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  7. Better start bringing the camera with you when you go out to the Alfa! I'd enjoy seeing your cat shots. :)

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  8. When we lived in Lakeside, MT we had mountain lions wandering around and we certainly kept a close eye on our Beagle. But they are such beautiful creatures. Along with the Bobcat. Sounds like you have a good respect for Mother Nature and that's the way it should be.

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  9. Never had any cats that we knew of at our Montana mountain place, but we did have moose, bear and the occasional porcupine. Our malemute Gandalf was seen "dancing" with a young moose, and twice tried to bite a porcupine. Ouch. The first time it was about 300 quills in his face and mouth. Ouch!

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  10. We used to go through Los Gatos sometimes when I lived down in Sonora. Somehow I didn't realize exactly where you lived. That is an amazing shot of the mountain lion. Yes, respect! and don't get too small!

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  11. Great shot of the mountain lion. You live in a "wild" place. :)

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  12. And to think, you recreate these animals in your art! I think that's really neat!

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  13. You're braver than I am. Now I'm talking about the mice that you carry around on your property. I guess I've lived in the city too long.

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