Bobcat at White Rock Lake

Recently as we took a break while out for a walk at the lake, a bobcat walked across from down by the pump station building over into the woods. He must have been only about 20 feet away. He wasn't in any hurry but It happened so fast, by the time I pulled out my phone he was gone.

A few days later, we were walking the same route but had gone further north past the filter building, almost to the parking lot near the boat house, when we spotted another bobcat, this one coming out of the bushes alongside the trail. He trotted across the road and I caught this clip just as he was disappearing into the brush.

The first bobcat seemed larger than this one so it's exciting to think that there is a family, perhaps a community of them living in the woods around the lake.

It seems like I have always seen bobcats described as very furtive, rarely seen, so I feel pretty lucky to have seen two "in the wild".

Oyster Shell Thief!

Over the years, we have brought home oyster shells from various trips and have them scattered about in the beds around the house. Recently, a few of them have ended up down in the yard next to a tree. Curious what was going on, I placed a camera in the front bed and returned the shells to the bed. It turns out the "thief" was one of the many squirrels who live in the large trees in our yard. I'm not sure what the attraction is, whether they just want to play with them or perhaps chew on them for the calcium. 

Music

Squirrel Commotion by Podington Bear 

http://www.podingtonbear.com/

Bees and Sage

With the weather starting to cool down below the century mark and cloudy skies, I spent time capturing the beauty of our sage that just flowered and of the bees enjoying it. 

Music

Flutterbee by Podington Bear 

http://www.podingtonbear.com/

One Bold Egret

Out for a walk yesterday along the northwest side of White Rock Lake, Luna and I came upon a Great Egret, easily identified by its yellowish beak and black legs. I figured as soon as Luna pulled on the lead, leaning in its direction to get a better look, it would fly off but instead it flew up to the railing and just sat there checking things out. Finally, Luna wrapped her lead around my legs trying to get a better view of the Egret and it took off. That was a pretty amazing close encounter!