He looks as though he is stalking one of our turkeys. My neighbor sent me this photo which he captured with his outdoor camera. I had no idea we had such a predator in our midst. But of course we have all the prey so why not; foxes, turkeys, deer, coyotes, ringtailed cats, possums, raccoons, rock squirrels, regular squirrels, armadillos, rabbits and hispid cotton rats. Talking of which.
Here's the evidence that the hispid cotton rat has been busy collecting seeds for the winter. This is his favorite food and he clearly spends hours removing the flowers and that very difficult fluffy white stuff which surrounds the seed. (When I plant the seeds in the spring I just plant the whole thing).
Then I had to go to some extreme measure to protect the caterpillars of the giant swallowtail which are on my dill. That is because this morning the roadrunner popped in for breakfast. Just a few feet away from me he eyed me up then picked a juicy caterpillar from the plant. "No more", I say, as I chased him off. He is getting far too bold. Come on in Mr Bobcat.
Wow, such wildlife activity! I had a close encounter with a fox one morning, but I don't think I'd want one with a bobcat!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know what a hispid cotton rat was, and now I just learned that they're found as far north as northern Missouri! I guess if I saw one I'd just think it was a mouse or a vole.
Alan, you wouldn't mistake them for a mouse or a vole. they are much larger. Here's a link to the Texas hispid cotton rat. I often find pile of cut grasses in the garden. http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/tmot1/sigmhisp.htm
DeleteHoly Shamoly!
ReplyDeleteBobcats come through my courtyard and neighborhood often, but I never seem to have a camera handy. They're cats and therefore uppity, so one would probably sense my motive and run away! Pretty harmless...except to birds, house cats, dogs that corner them, etc...I wonder if they would stoop to a rodent, though one never knows.
ReplyDeleteIt is really special that you have these where you live. What little I know of them is that are very shy and prefer to keep their distance from people. NBC had an interesting segment on their evening news tonight about wildlife encounters becoming more common in many suburban areas.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting for your neighbor to have spotted him. THough I wouldn't want an encounter, it's nice to know they survive.
ReplyDeleteOh, my! That is exciting! I'll keep an eye out for our road runner and his visits...I've got some yummy dill growing too.
ReplyDeleteHoly smokes! A Bobcat caught on film. Amazing. Thanks for sharing that great photograph.
ReplyDeleteWow, Jenny, I had no idea we still had bobcats in city limits! Or is that a civet? Awesome photo.
ReplyDeleteoh yeah - can't be a civet - they have long tails and aren't really a cat. Silly me. Bobcat!
ReplyDeleteTalk about gardening for wildlife! Love that there are bobcats and other critters living in your garden world!
ReplyDeleteWildcats, hispid rats and roadrunners, oh my! What a great peek into the secret life of a garden, and the image of the seed loving rodent sorting the fluffy gomphrena (?) chaff from the prize for hours is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteYou have much more interesting wildlife around your garden than I do mind... just boring rabbits, squirrels, meadow voles and the occasional raccoon and oh, yes, a fox. That's it. Nothing like a bobcat!
ReplyDeleteOh, that was so fascinating. We have bobcats too. I've never been that close to a wild one. I never realized roadrunners would eat caterpillars either. Just never thought about it. You and your neighbors are so observant.~~Dee
ReplyDeleteAAAHHHHH ok- that would freak me out!! But captivate me at the same time!!! That is wild. Great shot. Were you scared????
ReplyDeleteOh, she was so beautiful!! IS so beautiful. How glorious to see all the life around you.
ReplyDeleteHow incredible that your neighbor caught an image of such a stealthy creature! Lucky you to have such wildlife at your doorstep. And this one won't bother your plants.
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