Bobcat Blog

Yesterday morning, as I was walking out to look at the creek behind the Living Science Center, I noticed a bobcat sitting on the wooden creek overlook. It was startled (so was I!) and ran off into the woods along a very well-worn trail. Later that afternoon, I went back out to the creek overlook and noticed a bobcat, possibly the same one, crossing the creek and jumping up the embankment. It has been a while since I have seen a bobcat, so I was pretty excited to have not only one, but two sightings yesterday.

My family spotted at least 3 bobcat cubs, maybe 4, playing just off the bike trail near mile marker 5 around 5 pm on Saturday, Jan. 17. The 4th cat may have been the momma cat but it was too far away to tell. My 9-year-old son who has keen eyesight was the first to spot them. The cubs were just frolicking in the grass and tree stumps next to the trail. They stopped occasionally to look at us curiously, but then went about their playing and romping. I hope to get video posted soon. We also spotted several armadillo and an opossum during our Saturday bike ride. It was a great day to be in the park.

These pictures were taken Sunday, Jan. 11 between mile markers 4 and 5. The first picture was taken just before she pounced onto the rat, then carried it away. Last week, we saw a bobcat with a rat in her mouth and was greeted by at least 3 cubs.

Submitted by the Sanborns.

The cover story of the December issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine features River Legacy Parks and the bobcats that call the 1,300-acre oasis home. Check out the story and the research of local UT-Arlington grad student Ellen Stringer-Browning online at www.tpwmagazine.com or better yet, pick up a copy of the magazine at your local newsstand. We would love to hear your thoughts on the article as well.

These photos were taken in River Legacy Park (Arlington, TX) on Wednesday, 08Oct08 between 10:01 am and 10:09 am.  I was on the east trail walking south-south-west from mile-marker 5 about half way to mile-marker 4 (just before the trail turns westward).

The first picture (the wide shot) was one of the intial 2-3 pictures I took.  And I took it to purposefully demonstrate two things.  First, I wanted to show that I was not standing right on top of her.  My camera simply has a pretty good zoom function and makes it look that way.  And second, it would actually have been quite easy to walk right on by and not even notice her, even though she was lying only inches from the trail.  In the dappled sunlight, her camouflage was startlingly effective.  

She certainly didn't seem too concerned about me or my fellow-walker standing next to me at the time.  Even more surprising was her complete indifference to the bicycles whizzing by now and then.  Thankfully no one came by/through with any dogs though.  I somehow doubt she would have been quite so accepting of them. 

After "hanging about" for almost 9 minutes (from the time I had first walked up on her), our furry lady-friend decided that she had had enough and strode imperiously off into the brush.  On examining the "walking away" photo later, it also appears that she had been nursing cubs recently.

Delbert Olson submitted these awesome photos. See his comment below.

On Tuesday 6-24-08 I was riding my bike on the east trail around 7 pm. I had just passed under Collins headed east when an approaching cyclist announced she had just passed a bobcat. I slowed down and came around a bend in the trail. Down the trail I could see a bobcat walking in my direction. I stopped and got out my camera. The bobcat was too far away for a decent photo so I just stood there and watched. As he approached I could see he had a very large rat hanging from his mouth. To my surprise he continued to walk towards me and passed within two or three feet. I took pictures as he approached and after he had passed.

        

Bobcats are typically solitary animals, but are most likely to be seen during early morning or late afternoon feeding times. They are usually well camouflaged and avoid human contact so you are privileged to see this remarkable animal in its natural environment at River Legacy Parks. If you do catch a glimpse of one of the Park's resident Bobcats, enjoy the experience and keep these three things in mind:
1.) Quietly watch the animal from a distance.
2.) Make sure the Bobcat has an "escape route" and do not try to corner it.
3.) Never approach a mother Bobcat that has cubs. She will try to protect them if she feels you might be a threat.

And you can always learn more about Bobcats and other native animals by visiting the Living Science Center and checking out the exhibits and displays.

Have you seen a Bobcat at River Legacy Parks lately? Please tell us about it and where you saw it. We love to keep track of our family of Bobcats who enjoy the natural environment of River Legacy Parks as much as you do.

You also might want to check out the Bobcat video link on our Home Page.