Bobcat

Gallery: WildlifePosted September 7, 2011277 views9 comments

It was the first day of dove hunting season and I guess the shooting noise caused this bobcat to scale a utility pole. That provided an opportunity to catch some great poses before the cat eventually climbed down to safety. The light and background (open, blue sky) wasn't ideal, but this presented a rare opportunity to get close to an elusive subject. Nikon D300s, Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 wide open with 1.4 extender, hand held with VR on.

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Roman Kurywczak on September 7, 2011 at 1:18 PM

Light angle was working against you here but stilll must have been a thrill to see in the wild!

Registered on November 20, 2009, 56 Posts, 748 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on September 7, 2011 at 1:43 PM

I love that arrogant pose Russ! What a pity the face is in the shade and the light angle a bit steep. You did handle the unfortunate light conditions well IMO. Compositionwise I am not convinced this is the best presentation. Placing the subject off-center with more room on one side would have enhanced the comp a bit. Vertical would also have been an option.

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on September 8, 2011 at 12:36 AM

This is just a very neat photo! I like the expression on the cats face as well as the nice blue sky behind it. You have detail in the shadow areas of the bobcat as well as the light side. Thanks for sharing. Would love to see one in the wild.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on September 8, 2011 at 9:34 AM

He looks a little put out by your forcing him up the pole. I like the angles of his pose. A less centered composition will make it better, imo.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Russell Colletta on September 8, 2011 at 11:20 AM

Thanks guys, yeah, in spite of his apparent bravado in this shot he was scared to death. I first saw him at about 9:30 am, but went back three times after that to see if he found a way down. Finally about 5:00 in the afternoon and after having called the wildlife dept, some of the locals found a way to shake the pole enough to get him off his perch and down to safety, which I was able to witness. He ran within five feet of me on his way to freedom. I see bobcat footprints around here frequently, but this is the first one I have ever seen in broad daylight, which was terrible for photos but a really cool experience nonetheless. I intentionally framed this shot with the cat's eyes at the intersection on a grid of the line of thirds. It does look centered, but the main focus was intentionally set on a classic comp rule.

Registered on October 31, 2009, 114 Posts, 1008 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on September 8, 2011 at 1:27 PM

Wow. Would love to see a bobcat this close up. Wouldn't want him stuck up a pole all day though. I love how the blue sky offset the cat. I really like the look on his face too. A wonderful image.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on September 8, 2011 at 9:39 PM

Real luck for you to get this cat on a pole like that and the oversized paws are shown nicely. Tough light but you did a good job with it.

- Luke

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on September 9, 2011 at 9:48 PM

nice job handling the tough light Russ. I think any sighting of a Bobcat is great! Especially since I have only seen 1 in my life in the wild. I do feel for the poor thing though being scared like that.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on September 10, 2011 at 8:31 PM

Really like the blue sky and the position of the cat.

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments