8.05.2010

Bobcat (Lynx rufus)

Yesterday evening at dusk, we were travelling near the trace and a beautiful bobcat leaped across the road. He was about 25 lbs and magnificent with his little ruff , pointy ears and cut tail. It was darkish not a creamy beige like most images of bobcats, and had spotted markings and very powerful muscles as the jump was pretty much across the road and landing legs full out, into the ditch area. Usually we only see these beautiful animals along the road because someone has hit them. I'm glad that he did not get hit. With all of the growth of human population in the area, especially post-Katrina and the continual disappearance of the wetlands, I am sure that their habitat has been impacted. In the Ozarks, these are of a melanistic strain and are called Black Howlers. He certainly did look melanistic, or at least a darker brown than most photos I have seen. It was too quick for me to take a photo..He just jumped- and then he disappeared into the woods.

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