<< Previous Next >>

Bobcat


Bobcat
Photo Information
Copyright: Manyee Desandies (manyee) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3103 W: 234 N: 5930] (20016)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-07-15
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon Powershot S3 IS
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2006-07-16 2:14
Viewed: 1046
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Bobcat
Felis rufus

There is only one species of Bobcat in California and in the southwestern deserts -- Felis rufus. It has the widest and most continuous range of any California carnivore and is found throughout all the deserts of the American Southwest.

Description
The name Bobcat may have originated from its short tail, which is only 6 or 7 inches long. The end of its tail is always black, tipped with white, which distinguishes the Bobcat from its northern cousin, the Canadian Lynx, whose tail is tipped solid black.
The Bobcat has long legs and large paws. Large specimens can weigh up to 30 pounds, but the average Bobcat is only 15 to 20 pounds. The Bobcat's growls and snarls are so deep and fearsome, particularly when hidden from view, that one gets the mis-impression it must be a Mountain Lion.

Habits
Despite its pussycat appearance when seen in repose, the Bobcat is quite fierce and is equipped to kill animals as large as deer. When living near a ranch, it may take lambs, poultry and even young pigs. However, food habit studies have shown Bobcats subsist on a diet of rabbits, ground squirrels, mice, pocket gophers and wood rats. Quail have been found in bobcat stomachs, but predation by bobcats does not harm healthy game populations.
The Bobcat roams freely at night and is frequently abroad during the day except at the peak of summer. It does not dig its own den. If a crevice or a cave is not available, it will den in a dense thicket of brush or sometimes choose a hollow in a log or a tree.
Bobcats occupy areas from 1/4 of a square mile to as much as 25 square miles, depending on the habitat and sex of the Bobcat. Female Bobcats occupy smaller areas than males and normally do not associate with other female bobcats. Males roam wider than females; while they are not particularly tolerant of other males, the home ranges of males will overlap those of both males and females.

Life Cycle
Its mating behavior is similar to a housecat's. Young are usually born in April and May, although litters may be born during almost any month except December and January.
The normal Bobcat litter consists of 2 or 3 kittens, born blind and weighing 4 to 8 ounces. Birth occurs in a rock crevice or burrow, after a 60-day gestation period. The kittens open their eyes after 10 days and are taught hunting skills by their mother until they leave her 9 or 10 months later. The father has no role in raising the offspring.
Males are usually fertile by their first year, but females do not usually give birth to their first litter until they are two years old. Females normally produce just one litter per year. Because Bobcats are solitary animals, males and females spend only a few days of the year together -- during courtship and mating. Bobcats in captivity have been known to live as long as 25 years.

This shot was taken at the Coyote Point Museum Zoo though glass.

Source
liquidsunshine, TAZ, jchemas, Dan, SunToucher, danbachmann, wallhalla15, Adam73 has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To SunToucher: Blue Castmanyee 1 07-17 14:41
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Hi Manyee,
The details are good.
Good colours and lighting. Great POV, he's got a very intense stare.
Well composed and nicely framed.
Thanks for posting, enjoy the rest of the weekend.

  • Great 
  • TAZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2385 W: 50 N: 3186] (10922)
  • [2006-07-16 3:43]

I am not sure to want a cat like that at home :-) Nice portrait for this beautiful felin. Bravo Manyee.

Hello Manyee, excllent colors, Great details, Lighting is spot on great work, TFS Kyle

Hi manyee
Great protrait of this bobcat.
Excellent colors and details and excellent POV and BG too.
Like the note and love the frame.
Regards
JC

  • Great 
  • Dan Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 116 W: 0 N: 363] (1777)
  • [2006-07-16 13:18]

Hi Manyee, beautiful photo, splendid linx, great shot!
Is a typical attitude of this "big cat". Congratulation, Dan.
(When I was 12 years old I read a book about animals from Romania. On the cover was romanian linx in the same attitude. Thank you for this nostalgical remember.)

Nice closeup kitty portrait shot a little soft on focus but an excellent POV showing great facial feature of this beautiful feline. :)

Hi Manyee,
I looked at this photo severall times yesterday figuring out the blue colors cast. Then I read your note again and saw at the bottom the reason why. It's taken in a museum. I'm still note sure about the blue color, but beside that I really like the composition. I think I can even see you in the reflection of the eye of the bobcat. The details are outstanding and your story is very informative. Great DOF and POV.
TFS,
Niek

While not entirely clear, it appears to be done very well given the low lighting. You have captured the gaze perfectly!

Hi Manyee, I like this beautiful cat very much. This is a very nice portrait shot. Good colours, great POV and very good shapness too. This is a good composition. Thank you for posting.
Gr.
Heinz

oooh looks like you have been busy. I love the lighting in this shot. Gives it an earie mood. I like the compostion, and the intense stare.

What a beautiful bobcat, he was sure looking at you intently. We have these around here behind my house, at least that's what I hear, I've never seen one. I really like this close-up portrait of him, well done.

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF