On the Prowl

As I sat in my backyard enjoying my lone cup of java this morning I noticed our friendly neighborhood bobcat was making his (or maybe her) rounds. Actually once he saw me he decided to take a header right off the wall.

After you have lived in Arizona for awhile you begin to take these sightings for granted, but I thought I might post for those that aren't acquainted with Arizona wildlife. Most animals you run across in Tucson will avoid you with their life. You'll see bobcats and coyotes running across the road in front of traffic, or see a pack of javelinas cruising in one of the many Tucson washes for food. In some neighborhoods you can even spot a mountain lion or two lounging around a homeowners pool.

These critters generally run if they see or smell a human within 50 feet, so there's not a lot to worry about. They're actually fun to watch if they are going about their daily activities and don't know you're observing. A mama bobcat gave birth to three kittens in our back yard last year, and it was exciting to watch them grow and develop (through the windows of our home of course!) Still, it's always better to keep your distance from the animals you encounter. Wild animals generally fear humans, so by nature they will run from or confront a perceived threat. Mama bobcat was very unfriendly as she was protecting her young at all costs. Needless to say our back yard was off limits for about three months!

A general rule is avoid the desert wildlife as much as possible. Also remember that feeding any animals, including birds, draws larger predators. In the past I fed quail, which in turn drew the bobcats and hawks to the neighborhood. Now if I'm in the mood to see wildlife I visit the Desert Museum and see them in their native environment.