Potomac Creek is bobcat territory!

[POST UPDATE February 10, 2024: Sadly, I recently heard of a neighbor who claims her son just shot a local bobcat. In Virginia, one must have a permit to shoot bobcats, which I suspect the guy didn't have. But much more importantly, what an idiot. How many such creatures are left in this rapidly urbanizing county? Or state? Apparently, the guy wanted it for display purposes.] 

Ave bobcat!

Easily the most exciting news of the week -- we have a resident bobcat! Apart from the usual deer images, this week the farm's trail camera produced this off-center but clearly identifying video. It's rare to see a bobcat almost anywhere. And there can't be that many in urbanizing Stafford County, especially east of I-95.  The farm abuts Crow's Nest Nature Preserve, a 3,000-acre mix of hardwood forest, steep ravines, and plenty of swamp. The Preserve also protects a portion of Potomac Creek and, presumably, plenty of prey for hungry cats. 

From the Smithsonian's National Zoo page:

Bobcats mostly eat rabbits and hares. They may also eat rodents, such as squirrels and mice, or hunt small deer, snakes, lizards and domestic animals, such as dogs, cats, sheep, goats, and poultry. They can even leap high enough to catch low-flying birds.

Bobcats are excellent climbers and can run up to 30 miles per hour. They stalk their prey with unparalleled patience, and often travel 2 to 7 miles in an evening while hunting and patrolling their territory. They will place their back feet in the same spots where their front feet have stepped to reduce noise when hunting.

We walk the woods a bit more thoughtfully now.

Photo credit: Will Parson/Chesapeake Bay Program