An Unexpected Surprise This Morning

@moffittjc (118204)
Gainesville, Florida
September 5, 2021 9:53am CST
It's been so beautiful here in north Florida the last couple of days that I wanted to take advantage of it to get outside and enjoy some nature. So I got up early this morning to visit a local city-owned nature park, a 125 acre gem that sits adjacent to the much larger 22,000 acre state-owned nature preserve. It was quite foggy this morning, which is surprising given the time of year. It really made it quite eerie walking the boardwalks and nature trails through the wetland areas. But as soon as the sun peeked above the horizon, the fog quickly burned off. I have mentioned before in other discussions that I never have my camera ready when the greatest photo opportunities arise, so this time I wanted to make sure I was prepared. I was hoping to catch some alligators, or even a snake or two slithering around on the boardwalk. But much to my surprise, I was able to catch something even better, even though it startled me so much I can't believe I didn't drop my phone. I came to an intersection where two boardwalks cross each other, and lo and behold sitting there on the other boardwalk was a bobcat! I thought for sure it would run off before I could snap a picture, but it stood there looking at me long enough for me to get a quick photo. And then off it ran. I had heard that there were bobcat sightings in this particular wetland park, but this is the first time I've seen one in person. In south Florida where I grew up, bobcats were about as common as house cats, so it's not like I haven't ever seen one before. But it still was pretty awesome to run into one. So my day's off to an exciting start. How's your day shaping up?
37 people like this
35 responses
@DaddyEvil (137251)
• United States
5 Sep 21
Oh, wow! We used to see them when I was a kid on the farm but I haven't seen one in real life since I moved to the city! You're so lucky!
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137251)
• United States
5 Sep 21
@moffittjc We saw more cougars than bobcats when I was a kid but once in a while one would make a try for our chickens or geese. (The cougars seemed to prefer our outside cats and dogs... don't know why, though. *shrug*) Dad or one of my older brothers would run out with a .22 and try to pick off whatever was bothering the livestock. Twice they got cougars and once a bobcat.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
5 Sep 21
@DaddyEvil Once, when I was a teenager, I was hunting with my dad and we startled a cougar or panther in some thick brush. The way it jumped out at us, I thought it was going to attack, but it took off running. And no, we didn’t try to shoot it. My dad swears it was an endangered Florida panther.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
5 Sep 21
It's been quite a long time since I've last seen one. Growing up, there were bobcats everywhere where I lived, but since I've lived in north Florida (going on 25 years now), I haven't seen one until this morning.
2 people like this
• United States
5 Sep 21
That bobcat looks like it was posing. Glad you were able to take the picture. So far so good today. Waiting to yell at, I mean talk to, some friends.
3 people like this
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
5 Sep 21
I wouldn't want to be your friends today! haha
2 people like this
• United States
5 Sep 21
@moffittjc One of them has too much pressure on herself. She could do a little to change that but she's not doing it. I'm not sure I can keep my mouth shut anymore.
2 people like this
• United States
5 Sep 21
@moffittjc That's what she needs. She's stressing me out with her stress. Basically letting people walk all over her.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (168396)
• United States
5 Sep 21
Wow, you lucked out. They are notoriously reclusive so you are lucky. It is big too. It looks like a lynx. One time when I was in Shenandoah National Park. I was sitting in the car waiting for my husband to return, and I saw a bobcat slinking off into the brush. It is probably very rare for them to be out during the day.
3 people like this
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
5 Sep 21
I wonder if I was able to catch sight of this one due to the dense fog conditions early this morning?
3 people like this
@snowy22315 (168396)
• United States
5 Sep 21
@moffittjc I don't know..maybe..it is a cool pic. You might even be able to sell it if you are so inclined. Make a copy first of course...
2 people like this
@FourWalls (61316)
• United States
5 Sep 21
How cool! And did he run off yelling, “My name is Fred, not Bob!”?
3 people like this
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
5 Sep 21
Okay, now that is funny! That reminds me of when I was in college. I was in a fraternity. One of our brothers had a sister who was dating another one of the guys in the fraternity so she practically lived at the fraternity house. She was there so much that we named her Brother Bob. The funny thing is, I can't even remember her real name, because everyone just called her Brother Bob.
2 people like this
@kobesbuddy (73891)
• East Tawas, Michigan
5 Sep 21
I'd be frightened, yet in awe to see a bobcat out in the wild! We had a light fog last week, which is out of the ordinary for this time of the year, in Michigan. One day our neighbor spotted a small black bear out behind his property! At first, he thought that Kobe possibly got loose:)
3 people like this
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
5 Sep 21
I wonder if foggy conditions give wild animals a little more sense of safety and allows them to venture to places they normally wouldn't be seen? The fog makes for good cover allowing them to roam without being seen so easily.
2 people like this
@kobesbuddy (73891)
• East Tawas, Michigan
5 Sep 21
@moffittjc Yes, this is probably true. Deer in the woods try to keep out of sight, but when it's foggy they come out of hiding. Of course we can see them, creeping around as if they're invisible.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203478)
• Nashville, Tennessee
5 Sep 21
Wow you got lucky. Never been this close to a bobcat.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
5 Sep 21
It’s the closest I can ever remember being to a bobcat before.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
6 Sep 21
@CarolDM I think so too. Absolutely love how they look.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203478)
• Nashville, Tennessee
5 Sep 21
@moffittjc They are beautiful animals.
1 person likes this
@kareng (53375)
• United States
12 Sep 21
Wow! What a nice surprise and you caught the perfect snap!! I'm late to the party but my day was rather boring doing water for the chickens and picking up limbs and sticks from the hurricane. You can see a few bare spots in the yard now.. but they are few and far between. It depends on how I feel if I do the outskirts of the property or stay close to the burnpile. I think Monday we will get back to the outskirts and piling up the old wheelbarrow. Third bonfire today.
1 person likes this
@kareng (53375)
• United States
13 Sep 21
@moffittjc No more hurricanes!! Actuall the one hitting the TX coast will bring a ton of rain here. I just hope we are in loop to not get drenched! I won't be caught up either because I decided to work another 8 hours this month at the shop and keep my 10% commission that the store normally gets. So this is going to be a tiring week.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
15 Sep 21
@kareng How do you get to keep the 10% commission if it is supposed to go to the store? I feel bad for everyone living in your area and the New Orleans area, as you all definitely don't need all that drenching rain.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
12 Sep 21
Sounds like fun times! lol Just think....you'll finally get all caught up with the yard debris, and the next hurricane will come and mess it all up again!
1 person likes this
@m_audrey6788 (58487)
• Germany
5 Sep 21
Glad to know that you have an exciting start. My day is good so far. We have a nice weather here. Sunny and cool air. Good thing you got the photo of that bobcat. It is so cute
1 person likes this
• Germany
6 Sep 21
@moffittjc May I know why?
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
5 Sep 21
After the excitement this morning, my day has been totally quiet since then.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
6 Sep 21
@m_audrey6788 I just spent the day relaxing.
1 person likes this
• Midland, Michigan
24 Sep 21
Do they usually run away rather than charging? That's what is be afraid of. It looked like some type of larger cat but I hadn't a clue which one. Glad you were happy about your find and enjoyed your walk in nature.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Sep 21
Since they’re smaller wildcats, they will usually flee rather than fight. At least that has always been my experience with them.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
27 Sep 21
@MarshaMusselman They usually only attack humans if they feel threatened or backed into a corner.
1 person likes this
• Midland, Michigan
24 Sep 21
@moffittjc that's a good thing then.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
14 Sep 21
Wow! Great shot! I only saw one in the woods behind my son’s house. I thought it was a big cat!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
16 Sep 21
They're very easy to mistake for a big house cat. It's their signature bobbed tail that gives them away as being bobcats.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
16 Sep 21
@DianneN Any wild animal can freak someone out if they're not prepared to run into it!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
16 Sep 21
@moffittjc I saw that tail and freaked out, but it mosied away.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99437)
• Atlanta, Georgia
8 Oct 21
That’s an exciting adventure. I never see anything in our parks more exciting than a chipmunk or black snake. You have all the fun.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
8 Oct 21
I don’t mind having all the fun as long as something is not trying to eat me!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Oct 21
@RubyHawk I was changing out the water in my birdbath in my front yard yesterday, and this squirrel sat right there close by and watched me. I think it was waiting for me to finish so it could get a drink of fresh water out of the bowl.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99437)
• Atlanta, Georgia
8 Oct 21
@moffittjc I saw a squirrel on my walk today but he ran away.
1 person likes this
@nela13 (55684)
• Portugal
5 Sep 21
He was curious about you
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
6 Sep 21
@nela13 Maybe he was trying to calculate if he could feed his whole family based on my size.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
5 Sep 21
He was probably trying to figure out how to eat me!
1 person likes this
@nela13 (55684)
• Portugal
6 Sep 21
@moffittjc then he realized that you are too big for him, or that he had no place to store the meat
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (153180)
• United States
6 Sep 21
Wow! What a really cool picture. You sure were lucky on your walk! Today I hope to convince hubs to get out the suitcases so I can have our little housekeeper help me pack. Have a good Labor Day.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
6 Sep 21
Happy Labor Day! Are you getting ready for your trip soon?
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
6 Sep 21
@LindaOHio I wish you the best with all the packing, planning and preparation.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (153180)
• United States
6 Sep 21
@moffittjc Thanks. The same to you. Yes, we have been doing things every week. Now I want to start packing but will need help.
1 person likes this
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
6 Sep 21
We’re up working the property. Then probably head to the lake or creek this afternoon. I’m not sure.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
6 Sep 21
Enjoy!
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Sep 21
@thislittlepennyearns Nice! Spend lots of money so my Lowe's stock goes up! haha
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
6 Sep 21
@moffittjc We’ll plans changed. We’re gonna go to Lowe’s in a little bit to enclose mil garage
1 person likes this
@averygirl72 (37544)
• Philippines
21 Sep 21
Looks like a wild cat
1 person likes this
@averygirl72 (37544)
• Philippines
21 Sep 21
@moffittjc I see not the typical house cat
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Sep 21
@averygirl72 Oh no, not at all! It's more like a cougar or a panther than a house cat.
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Sep 21
Yes, it is a wild cat.
@LadyDuck (454979)
• Switzerland
6 Sep 21
This photo is beautiful, congratulations, I do not believe that bobcats are really common in your area.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
6 Sep 21
At least they’re not common in swamp and wetland areas around here.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (454979)
• Switzerland
7 Sep 21
@moffittjc I suppose they can be dangerous, even domestic cats are dangerous if they go wild.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (48855)
• United States
5 Sep 21
What a treat. It’s beautiful.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (48855)
• United States
6 Sep 21
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
5 Sep 21
Thanks, I was pretty excited to see it myself.
1 person likes this
@rakski (112993)
• Philippines
6 Sep 21
that is awesome!
1 person likes this
@rakski (112993)
• Philippines
6 Sep 21
@moffittjc yes, that was exciting. Never see one in real life
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
6 Sep 21
Thanks. I was very excited to run into this cat, and so glad he was cooperative with me in getting his picture taken.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (42907)
• Staten Island, New York
7 Sep 21
Wow! I've never seen one up close. Not even at the zoo.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
8 Sep 21
It’s the closest I’ve ever been to one. And I sure hope I don’t get that close again!
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Sep 21
@lovebuglena No, they're small. Not much bigger than a house cat.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (42907)
• Staten Island, New York
9 Sep 21
@moffittjc Are they huge? Hard to tell from the pic.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129095)
• Israel
6 Sep 21
@moffittjc I am glad you were prepared and got a special picture and that the Bobcat let you take the picture before he or she ran away.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
6 Sep 21
I don’t know if I was more excited to see the bobcat or more excited to get a picture of it!
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129095)
• Israel
6 Sep 21
@moffittjc Both are a win-win situation.
1 person likes this