I am an aspiring 23 year old wildlife photographer and for the past 3 years weekly I have spent countless early morning hours braving the local mountain ranges and open spaces in search of the impossibly elusive Mountain Lion, in hopes of getting a once in a lifetime shot. I was wondering if anybody here was familiar with the Santa Monica Mountain/Simi Hills/Los Padres areas (Thousand Oaks, Filmore, Simi Valley, Agoura) and if anyone of you have had the luck of spotting one of these magnificent beasts. Anyone know of any places where they may congregate? I know only 45 still live in the Santa Monica Mountains but am less certain of the other populations. Any and all suggestions are welcome.
Posted by Richard Wong on October 6, 2006 at 2:55 PM
The mountain lion is one animal I hope to never encounter in the wild. I do'nt know about Santa Monica, but a year or two ago several women joggers were attacked by mountain lions in the Santa Ana Mountains. Maybe your search should begin there?
I read in Frans Lanting's Eye to Eye book that he had never encountered a wild mountain lion in his life, so it must be extremely rare to find if even he hasn't seen one.
Posted by Nelcha Cross on October 6, 2006 at 4:18 PM
That's why we buy LONG lenses and use TC
I don't know of any down there...we have them up in NoCAL
and Thomas Mangelson has found a den and been photographing them up near the Tetons for at least 5 years and got a special award from Jane Goodall for starting the Organization and his devotion to the Cougars.
http://www.cougarfund.org/ and http://www.mountainlion.org/partners.asp#7
In addition to having a LONG lens and being covered in Camo
I would read up on them as much as you could and "then move slowly and carry a big lens" ,
as some once said. Good Luck with your pursuit and keep us posted !!
In gratitude,
Nelcha
Posted by Cory Freeman on October 6, 2006 at 9:16 PM
Hi Brandon. I live in Camarillo and have read in the Ventura county star newspaper that there are only 3 or 4 mountain lions here in the local santa monica range, If memory serves me correctly. If you really want to get a shot maybe you can hook up with the rangers who monitor their habitat. I might call the ranger station in T.O. and see if they can help you out.
Posted by Scott Buckel on October 7, 2006 at 1:12 AM
I do not mean to be negative. Mountain lions are very wary and the probability that you will ever see one are low, with lots of time in the field the odds get better. The odds of gettting a good photo are even lower. I hope you are also looking at the other wild creatures out there as these areas are potentially productive. The North American felines are all elusive and this is the reason that most of the photos you see are from captive animals. Several years ago as I remember there was a mountain loin that was easy to photograph in the Tetons. IN fact this special event got photography Tom Mangelson to start the Cougar Fund. As I remember the Cougar Fund this site may give you some ideas on getting that elusive photo.
Good Luck and I wish you success,
Scott
Posted by John W. Wall on October 8, 2006 at 12:06 PM
Stake out a watering hole. But also consider the fact that, even though you haven't yet detected a lion (assuming they're out there), they have undoubtedly detected you.
Posted by Scott Buckel on October 10, 2006 at 12:35 AM
In Friday's LA Times there was an article in the sports section on Malibu Creek State Park. The article suggested that the park may have 3-4 mountain lions.
Thanks for all of the responses.....I think I may be a bit closer now. I read in the local newspaper that a small female was living in a rocky outcrop just north of Westlake and south of Hidden Valley.....which is VERY close to neighborhoods but I thought I'd check it out anyway. Sure enough, after deciding to go off the trail I found no less than 3 partially buried deer carcasses and some tracks. I probably would have come almost face to face yesterday but my camera ran out of batteries and I decided to turn back. Plus, considering I'm stuck with a VERY shitty 5 megapixel with ZERO zoom capabilites until I get my camera fixed I probably should just wait.
Posted by Nelcha Cross on October 23, 2006 at 12:32 AM
With all of this already said....
Please know that we want to keep hearing from you...
SO PLEASE BE CAREFUL !!!!
We have had numerous people attacked and some killed by Mountain Lions up here.
So be sure to carry that BIG can of BEAR Spray or whatever the local Rangers suggest!!!
Best to do this part of the research first also
Discussion
9 repliesI read in Frans Lanting's Eye to Eye book that he had never encountered a wild mountain lion in his life, so it must be extremely rare to find if even he hasn't seen one.
I don't know of any down there...we have them up in NoCAL
and Thomas Mangelson has found a den and been photographing them up near the Tetons for at least 5 years and got a special award from Jane Goodall for starting the Organization and his devotion to the Cougars.
http://www.cougarfund.org/ and http://www.mountainlion.org/partners.asp#7
In addition to having a LONG lens and being covered in Camo
I would read up on them as much as you could and "then move slowly and carry a big lens" ,
as some once said. Good Luck with your pursuit and keep us posted !!
In gratitude,
Nelcha
Good Luck and I wish you success,
Scott
Scott
Please know that we want to keep hearing from you...
SO PLEASE BE CAREFUL !!!!
We have had numerous people attacked and some killed by Mountain Lions up here.
So be sure to carry that BIG can of BEAR Spray or whatever the local Rangers suggest!!!
Best to do this part of the research first also