Wildlife of The Azure Gate Bed and Breakfast - Part V

Our little Bobcat has been around a couple of times lately:

Bobcat

Successful Bobcat

I went over to Sweetwater Wetlands on Sunday and came across a Bobcat that had successfully caught a Cinnamon Teal from the weed beds. Here are a few of the photos I took:

Resident Bobcat at The Azure Gate B&B

I was sitting at my desk about an hour ago, when our little Bobcat walked past. I quickly got my camera and went outside and watched as he hunted for ground squirrels -- or desert cottontails.

He always knows when I am there and doesn't seem to mind. Although I don't stay for long. We talked a bit. Then he came walking toward me and laid down about 20 feet away under a creosote bush. We talked a bit more. I ask him to stay so that I could get Christine. She always likes to see him. When Christine and I got back he had moved under the shade of a saguaro cactus.

After a minute, we said thanks and left him to hunt or relax.

I have shown photographs of him before, including his missing hind foot. He does hobble around when he walks. But he's been coming by for two and a half years so he obviously is catching food despite the handicap.

Here are some photos from today:

He you can clearly see his missing hind foot.

Injured Bobcat

There is a young bobcat that has been coming around our place on a regular basis for the last two and a half years. We know he is the same one because he is missing half of his right hind foot. He walks with a decided limp, however when he is hunting he is so low to the ground you can't tell he is handicapped at all. He came around this morning hunting for our abundant round tail ground squirrels. Obviously he is able to catch what he needs to survive. 

Here are some of the photos I took today, starting with one that shows his foot:

Now hunting:

Posing on a small mound

And finally walking right by me:

Madera Canyon, Arizona

There are some wonderful trails in Madera Canyon. One we like is to start at the Proctor Picnic site and trailhead then hike along the creek to White House, the Main Madera Canyon Picnic Site, and finally the Amphitheater (a 3.5 mile hike round trip).

There was still lots of water in the creek. Sycamores, mesquites, oaks, desert broom, and lots of Arizona thistles in bloom throughout.

About half way between Proctor and Whitehouse we heard several Mexican Jays that sounded quite upset. We looked over in that direction and there was a young couple with cameras taking photos. As we approached, they weren't taking photos of the Mexican Jays but of a Bobcat that was in a tree close to a jay's nest. The jays would fly around from branch to branch -- though the Bobcat paid absolutely no attention to them -- never even glanced at them.

As we began chatting with the couple he realized that he had purchased a camera lens from me four or five years ago. I was happy to see them and see that they were still interested in photography -- and evidently become quite good at it.

We didn't hang out there too long. Didn't want to overstay our welcome. The Bobcat probably didn't mind us being there either, but it seemed the most respectful thing to do. 

Here are a few of the photos I took.

New Year Babies: Bobcat

The New Year brings new life and new hope. So why not a series on Wildlife "Babies"?

And talk about cute, bobcat kittens, whether shy or inquisitive, bring a special joy to your heart and for Nature.

Bobcat Mom with Kitten

Notice a second kitten hiding behind the cooler on the roof of our house

My Favorite Wildlife Photos of 2017 - 4

For the remainder of the year I thought I'd share my favorite wildlife photos taken in 2017.

So here they are (in alphabetical order):

Bobcat

There were two siblings very early one morning at Pena Blanca Lake 7 miles from the US/Mexico  border. This one wanted to pose for me.

Animals in Trees: Bobcat

Bobcats have few predators, humans being the primary predator. They don't get along well with the Lynx, so their territories don't overlap much. (Bobcat, US - Lynx, Canada). Mountain Lions would also be a predator, but again Bobcats tend to stay at lower elevations to avoid Mountain Lions.

Bobcats, like other cats will scamper up trees if threatened. But primarily they go up trees to sleep or to get a good view of potential prey.

The Bobcat in this photo was sleeping -- though I woke him up with my presence.

Bobcat in Mesquite Tree

Pena Blanca Lake Wildlife: Bobcat

Pena Blanca Lake sits about 7 miles north of the US/Mexico border in the Pajarito Mountains. It is stocked with trout and attracts a few people for fishing. Birding is quite good especially in the southernmost areas where the water is shallow and weeded. I like getting there early since it increases the chance of seeing animals. 

Last Monday was no exception. I saw a Coyote on the drive in and then two Bobcats as I was walking around the lake. 

Here are the Bobcat photos:

Bobcat 1:

Bobcat 2:

A Wild Day at The Azure Gate

We have a Wildlife Photographer here from Taiwan (our first guests from Taiwan. It marks the 30th country we have had stay with us). 

He got up early to go looking for birds to photograph. He returned just in time to see a large male Javelina rolling around in the mud:

Javelina

Javelina

Javelina

Then around 6:00 pm, while sitting in the office, our little Bobcat came around. First, she peaked in the door to see what we were doing, then -- as she has before -- jumped up on the wall by the office, walked along the wall, then jumped up on the balcony outside Christine's studio. And there she laid down, cleaned herself, and took a nap. She was there for well over an hour:

Bobcat

Bobcat

We also have a very nice mother and daughter from Oregon staying with us. They got to see and photograph the Bobcat.

And our guest from Taiwan was able to get photos of the Bobcat and the Javelina.


So it was a "Wild Day" at The Azure Gate. Our guest from Taiwan must think it happens daily in America.

Best Wildlife Photos of 2016: Bobcat

And one final Bobcat again from Sweetwater Wetlands:

Bobcat

Best Wildlife Photos of 2016: Bobcat

I could probably have had a whole month of Bobcat photos. Here's one more of the two sibling Bobcats playing:

Bobcat Siblings

Best Wildlife Photos of 2016: Bobcat

Here two sibling Bobcats playing at Sweetwater Wetlands:

Bobcat Siblings Playing

Best Wildlife Photos of 2016: Bobcat

Another best Bobcat taken here at The Azure Gate:

Bobcat sitting on top of one of our walls

Best Wildlife Photos of 2016: Bobcat

Bobcats once again take up several slots in my best photos of the year. Something about them -- no matter how often seen -- is exciting. This photo taken here at The Azure Gate B&B:

Bobcat

Resident Bobcat

We want to welcome a new country to our blog. Luxembourg has joined our site. That makes 129 countries around the world that have visited since we began 7 years ago. A love of wildlife is common throughout the world regardless of political or religious differences. Thank you all for your appreciation of wildlife.

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In our last post we mentioned our resident Cooper's Hawk (He sat in one of our bird baths for over 30 minutes this morning while our guests were having breakfast outside. It was a nice treat for them).

We also have Bobcats that come around our place frequently. Here's one that walked by my office a couple of days ago. It was late afternoon, though still 100+ degrees outside:

bobcat

More from Agua Caliente

More from my birding Agua Caliente:

Lucy's Warbler Singing

Lucy's Warbler with Worm

Black Tailed Gnatcatcher

Broad Billed Hummingbird drinking from Flowering Cholla

Bobcat Streaking By

Roadrunner with Desert Spiny Lizard