Today I’m sharing photos of a low-crawling young Bobcat hunting for coots, taken April 7th at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.

Young Bobcat crossing a road, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, OklahomaYoung Bobcat crossing a road – Canon R7, handheld, f11, 1/640, ISO 800, +0.3 EV, Canon RF 800mm, natural light

I knew what this young Bobcat was hunting for thanks to my friend and Oklahoma wildlife photographer, Charles Vann. Charles and his son, Charlie, had photographed the Bobcat hunting for American Coots at the edge of Four Corners Slough.

Later, they told Steve Creek and me about it. After our conversation with the Vanns, both Steve and I were keeping a lookout for the young wildcat.

We had also seen birder Sandy Berger’s photos of the Bobcat with a coot it had caught.

Low-crawling young Bobcat, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, OklahomaLow-crawling young Bobcat – Canon R7, handheld, f11, 1/800, ISO 800, +0.7 EV, Canon RF 800mm, natural light

So when we saw the young Bobcat at the edge of the dirt road at the slough, we knew what kind of behavior to expect. We weren’t disappointed. The wildcat slowly low-crawled across the road  in the shadows cast by a tree.

I think the Bobcat low-crawled to stay out of sight of the coots foraging at the edge of the slough. Low-crawling in the shadow on the road helped too — the cat’s cryptic fur pattern probably made it even harder to spot.

Young Bobcat after an unsuccessful hunt, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, OklahomaYoung Bobcat after an unsuccessful hunt – Canon R7, handheld, f11, 1/640, ISO 800, +0.7 EV, Canon RF 800mm, natural light

The young Bobcat didn’t succeed in catching a coot on that particular hunt, but it certainly was fascinating to see the immature wildcat in stealth mode.

Immature Bobcat on a spring morning, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, OklahomaImmature Bobcat on a spring morning – Canon R7, handheld, f11, 1/640, ISO 800, +0.7 EV, Canon RF 800mm, natural light

I photographed the Bobcat crossing the road. It even walked toward Steve and me, which allowed for some beautiful photos of this young and gorgeous wild feline.

The cat then headed into the tangled trees and vines to watch for the coots and ducks to swim back toward the edge of the slough.

I’m hoping for more chances with this amazing young Bobcat.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Bobcat photos plus facts and information about this species.