My Lifer Bobcat Photos At Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge

Yesterday morning, I took my first Bobcat photos at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, thanks to my dear friend Steve Creek letting me know where it was. Just minutes before Steve had mentioned that he used to see Bobcats in the same general area.

Bobcat scratching an itch at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge – Canon R7, f7.1, 1/160, ISO 1600, Canon 100-500mm at 500mm, natural light

Setting the scene:

Both Steve and I were focused on a White-tailed Deer doe that was acting strangely protective near a four-way intersection in the road. We wondered if she had a fawn nearby and if that was why she was behaving oddly.

I took four photos of the doe, and then Steve said, “Bobcat.” I saw the wild cat on the road to my left.

We both exited Steve’s truck to photograph the Bobcat. Starting the engine might have spooked the cat, so using the doors of his truck as a blind seemed like the best option, and it didn’t scare the wild cat.

Since I was using Steve’s Canon R7 and his Canon RF 100-500mm lens, I didn’t have to lift my heavier Nikon D500 and Nikkor 500mm lens outside and then prop it on the door.

The Bobcat scratched, stretched, and groomed while we watched and photographed it. I was so excited. I had seen Bobcats before, including one I spotted and identified in the median of I-80 in Parley’s Canyon, and I had even found the tracks of one in the snow in Utah, but I had never had one in my viewfinder before.

Bobcat sitting on a gravel road at Sequoyah NWR – Canon R7, f7.1, 1/200, ISO 1600, Canon 100-500mm at 500mm, natural light

Yes, I was buzzing with excitement when I took photos of this Bobcat. I’ve waited years and years to photograph Bobcats!

Now, if you check out Steve’s post on the Bobcats, you can read about the little mishap that prevented me from photographing the second Bobcat of the morning!

I’m guessing I should put my wallet in the back zippered area of my vest because that was what got me hung up and is why I missed out on photographing the second Bobcat of the day.

C’est la vie. Live and learn!

Summer view of a gravel road at Sequoyah NWR – Canon R7, f7.1, 1/13, ISO 1600, Canon 100-500mm at 238mm, natural light

Yesterday, I created a photo gallery for bobcats. Sometimes, when I do that, I start seeing the species I created the gallery for everywhere. I kind of hope that happens with bobcats because they are such beautiful creatures, and I admire them.

This last photo was taken just minutes before I photographed the Bobcat. Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge is incredibly beautiful, full of wildlife, and green even in the midst of summer.

Life is good.

Mia

When I am blessed with taking more Bobcat photos they will be seen here along with facts and information about this species.