Heeere Kitty Kitty Kitty…..
It’s March in Alaska. This means the rest of the country (or at least, it feels like that) is enjoying crocuses, and temperatures in the 50s, 60s, and 70s…but we here in the North country have at least another month and a half of winter weather. Last year on April 30th, we had over a foot of new snow.
Needless to say, by March people are getting a little stir crazy, and now that it’s getting lighter out, it’s good to get outside and breathe some fresh air, even though you can still see your breath. So, this morning I decided to take a little hike. And I brought my camera along “just in case.” The general rule is that if I don’t have my camera, there are many exciting things to see, and if I do bring it, well….nothing. It’s not exactly “Murphy’s Law”…maybe it’s Kodak’s Law.
In any case, Kodak’s law was luckily not working today. No, I did not see Brian the moose, nor Brenda, nor any other ungulate that frequents these parts. Today it was a predator of the carnivorous variety. I wandered a bit far afield today, into wilder country and got to witness something I have never seen before, but for a fleeting glimpse. A lynx! I never would have seen it if it hadn’t been moving. It crossed an open patch of snow about 30 feet ahead of me and I absolutely froze in shock. I know they’re around, but to see one of these great cats up close and in person was absolutely thrilling. I’d guess this guy weighed about 40 pounds or more and was about 4 feet long. He was talking with another lynx who was further up the trail with a sort of deep throaty meow. I hate to call it a meow because it was quite more spine-tingling and serious than a meow. But, not being fluent in Lynx, that’s the best I can do. This is mating season for lynx, so I’m guessing that this pair will produce a litter in the spring….whenever that comes.
I got to watch this beautiful animal for about five minutes before he padded silently away down the snowy trail toward his mate. His tracks were about 3 1/2 inches wide. He looked at me at one point, and surprisingly didn’t seem that bothered by my presence. Lynx are notoriously shy, and it’s rare to see one. They don’t much like people, and tend to avoid them at all costs, so this was a real treat.
Sometimes living in Alaska can be a bit discouraging. Any regular reader of this blog understands. But moments like this one, that just lift your heart and take your breath away remind me of one of the reasons I live here.
How *very* cool!
now thats some cat
Wonderful – thanks for Lynxing us up!!
Wow. Truly breathtaking. Thank you.
we have lynx also too,here in colorado.The dow lets then loose in a town called creede.They sure are pretty.
Thanks for exploring and sharing !!
Nice Shot (( with a Camera )) AKM -
Awesome to see critters in nature’s habitat
Not absolutely sure, but I think that Lynx are on the endangered species list. Sure hope so. Palin just might want to eradicate them.
Lynx are listed as threatened in the Lower 48 states, but not in Alaska. And they don’t eat moose that live in or near Wasilla….so hopefully they’re OK for now. AKM
Amazing photo!
I’ve been meaning to tell you I so love your Brian photos. We have several in our neighborhood too, but they seem to be much more shy. Brian seems very outgoing.
Thanks! And yes, Brian is the most extraverted moose I’ve ever seen. AKM
Nice pussy cat.
I wonder if it likes to be scratched behind the ears.
Oooooooo! Great pic, thanks! Take heart, we only have snowbells showing, and if it’s windy, it’s still pretty chilly. However, I must say that I don’t think I could make it to the end of April in snow…nope, don’t think I could.
are lynx the same species as bobcat?
Although they are very similar in appearance , there are a few morphological characteristics that differentiate the bobcat from the Lynx. Bobcats can be distinguished visually from lynx by their smaller foot pads, slightly longer tail, shorter black ear tuffs and more well defined spotting on the coat. The tail of the lynx is shorter than the bobcats and ends in a black tip that completely encircles the tail (Figures 1 & 2). The bobcats tail is longer, and has banding on the upper surface only (Lariviere and Walton 1997, Anderson and Lovallo 2003).
The bobcats foot pad is smaller than that of the lynx, which hinders movement in deep snow. This limited mobility in areas of deep snow makes capturing prey more difficult and may serve as one of the limiting factors for the bobcats northern distribution (Quinn and Parker 1987, Anderson and Lovallo 2003). On average, adult bobcats are slightly smaller than lynx (Figure 2). However, because of the range of body size for bobcats, they often exceed the size of lynx in areas of sympatry (Buskirk et al. 2000, Anderson and Lovallo 2003).
More than you ever wanted to know!
AKM
Tell your new kitty friend to steer clear of THIS bunny…….http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAn2UFXSsgw&feature=related
oops , try again.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAn2UFXSsgw&feature=related
I’m seriously jealous, AKM. Great shot.
hereby nominated for 2010 mudflats calendar, “Miss March.”
thanks AKM!
“They don’t much like people, and tend to avoid them at all costs, so this was a real treat.”
Wow! I never realized that I am in fact a Lynx!
Thanks for the pix. My husband and I have only been in Alaska for about 1 1/2 years, but our house has a nice wooded area around us and I saw a lynx from my kitchen window. I was breathless with wonder and watched for about 10 minutes as it made it’s way through the woods and across a small, frozen creek. Alaska and Homer is sooooo fantastic! We love seeing all the moose in our yard as well, but we have not named any of ours yet. Thanks again. I also love reading about Brian.
fyi -
http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/pubs/notebook/furbear/lynx.php
http://www.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF15/1589.html
http://wildlife.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=trapping.lynx_harvest
Based on this info Lynx may be on an up population cycle…
And there is a season for trapping/killing Alaskan Lynx
We have bobcats aplenty down here in southeastern Arizona. I believe another difference between them and their lynx cousins is that lynx have big tufts on the tips of thier ears, which the bobs lack. Thanks for the reminder of the wonders and beauty of the natural world!
Head on over to Audrey’s blog. It’s called, Palins Deceptions. Pretty interesting info. on the time lines and who really is Triggy Bears mother. I am thinking that Immoral Minority (Gryphen) will be doing his follow up shortly.
Beautiful, majestic creature–also, the name of MN’s female pro basketball team, so doubly-cool.
beautiful picture…….however, if they aren’t on the endangered species list in Alaska yet, just wait, palin will make sure they hunt them into extinction. she makes me ill on every level!!!!!!!!
I’m with Lance, I’m SO jealous!
Closest we have to wildlife here (black-hole inducers notwithstanding) is the family of skunks that live under the front porch.
Lucky for all involved, our schedules don’t overlap much… but the pizza-delivery guys better watch out!
delnorteco (11:24:44) :
we have lynx also too,here in colorado.The dow lets then loose in a town called creede.They sure are pretty.
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I’ve also seen them, near Creede. Population is not up to speed, yet- I hope the Department of Wildlife is able to release more this year. Our snowpack is down this year, so hunting may not have been great for the newcomers-
Great picture, BTW, AKM-
How fabulous! It was kismet AKM, Mother Nature rewarded you for your post on PWOW! I know you will savor that moment for a long time to come. Plus, you have a photograph to share the moment with others as well as your ability to craft a story. We are very grateful.
This is where my disconnect with sport hunters happens. What could sport hunters possibly gain by murdering that Lynx that would be better than the exhilarating joy you now hold in your heart? Are sport hunters incapable of feeling that joy? Do they think so little of themselves their ability, in the moment, to take aim somehow makes them better than the Lynx? (In their mind)
Wow how exciting. I would have been scared sh*tless that I would be attacked. Are they dangerous ? Will they go after you ? Iam a city girl , The only time I have seen animals like that is at the zoo.
Absolutely beautiful picture!
Awesome & wonderful AKM! The camera gods were with you today!
This is the only way a animal should be “shot” with a camera! Thanks for sharing with us!
What a relief to look at this cat, as opposed to the other cat!
How cool!
AKM, I saw a fisher one time and I felt just like you did seeing the lynx–awestruck. Fishers are the size of a large cat with short legs and are jet black. They’re sort of like a cross beween a weasel and beaver. They are rarely seen by people so I felt really lucky!
did you take pictures of his footprints?
inquiring eyes wanna see!
Wow (said in an amazed and hushed whisper). What a wondrous gift the universe gave you today. Thank you for sharing with us!
Wow, that is a beautiful cat! I used to cut through the fields to go to grammar school (mom said not to do it because of rattlesnakes which we’ve had in our yard, so of course I did) and saw what turned out to be a bob cat (when I was a college kid). It kinda freaked me out that of course mom was right, because I thought it was a cougar at first, but when my heart slowed down I realized it was smaller and was a bobcat.
Do we have a name for the kitty?
Ah AKM you are at one with the universe. Only the chosen few get a glimpse into the wonders of nature in this world. I envy you so.
I remember many years back I was restless one night and decided to go for a drive. In the road was what I thought was a dog at first until it keep getting bigger and bigger and bigger. It turned out to be a 5 point buck. An absolutely gorgeous specimen solid body not a tick on him. He stopped dead in the road, I stopped the car, rolled down the window and talked to him. Ok yes I’m a little crazy around the edges. I told him he’d better get out the road before he got hit by a car or a hunter came along and shot him. He turned his head and our eyes met. He had this BIG black nose and the steam was just pouring out of it. We stared at each other it seemed like minutes but really just seconds. He turned his head and continued to walk across the road and you could hear his hooves click clack on the pavement a he went on his way. It is something I will never ever forget, to be able to share a part of their world just for a brief second is to truly touch the hand of God. Ok I’m being over dramatic here but you know what I mean.
awesome. wow.
wow. Lucky you.
Also, when we were still living in Seward it snowed on my birthday in May! We got so much of it that in a fit of frustration I built a huge snow bunny in our front yard – and people were stopping to take pics of it!
Shadow’s Heart(13:40:46) : I don’t think you are being overly dramatic, I think you have deer as your totem animal!
When you have a magical experience like that….!
From Medicine cards by Jamie sands:
Deer teaches us to use the power of gentleness to touch the hearts and minds of wounded being who are trying to keep us from Sacred mountain. Like the dappling of a fawn’s coat, both light and dark may be loved to create gentleness and safety for those who are seeking peace.
Great pic AKM, a suped up bobcat makes a lynx, lol, I have always called the sounds yowls, bobcats at night can sound just like a woman screaming, it can make your blood run cold. Nature is such a wonderful sight to behold.
Last couple of weeks it has been reported around here of a black panther, but of course DNR says it can’t be, yeah right. DNR also said that jaguars have been extinct in Arizona and Mexico for many years, but they were wrong on that too. They caught a jaguar in Jan. in Arizona, collared him and turned him back loose. Now they are saying there is at least 3 they know of.
Thanks again AKM for the great pics…..
For AKM:
You can have more than one totem animal, and I know Moose is one, but how about lynx also:
from the same book:
Lynx/secrets
It is said if you want to find out a secret, ask Lynx medicine.Lynx is not the guardian of secrets, but the knower of secrets. The problem lies in getting lynx to instruct you.
If Lynx medicine is strong in you, you will get mental pictures concerning other people and the exact things they have hidden, either from themselves or others. You will see their fears, their lies and self deceptions. You also know where the treasure is hidden, if any. You never speak of these revelations–you simply know.
If you have pulled a lynx card (or seen one) you can be sure “secrets” are afloat.
DEAR AKM…… THANK YOU “SO MUCH” for that incredible picture of the Big Cat!! I am a big animal (and especially cats) lover and am SO JEALOUS that you got to see one and actually take its picture in its natural habitat… What a thrill it must have been. And especially, thank you for appreciating, and respecting, your “animal” neighbors the way you do, and for sharing.
Wow! That must make living in the cold and dark for so long each year worth it. What a wonderful sight! I’m jealous…..
Very cool AKM, don’t ya just love it……..
One day while out gardening a hummingbird came to the flower pot I was working on, it hummed around wanting to get to the flowers. I said ” well hello, little beautiful one”, it came close and landed on my index finger while I was holding scissors probably a foot from my face, it sat there, looked at me for about 10 seconds, then merrily flew off.
It was such a wonder and neat experience. One of those blessings I won’t forget.
What a wonderful image. Always a pleasure catching wildlife in their element.
I once stood amongst a grazing herd of Elk in Sinkyone Wilderness Park in N. California. The fog was thick and the herd worked it’s way towards me, grazing, as I just stood there watching and photographing them. They grazed by with their young not 20 feet away. It was magical.
Here’s an inspirational story… remembering First Nations stewardship, a lesson for Alaska. Excerpt from Making a Difference [by Amy Irvine] How Our Outdoor Industry and Individuals are Working to Preserve America’s Natural Places…
A land whose primeval redwood forest is coveted by logging corporations….
Very cool, AKM. Are you going to blow it up and frame it? Walmart does a very nice job, you can get a 16X20 for about $12 bucks. I never buy artwork anymore, I make my own
I’d be honored if you emailed the jpg to me so I could add it to my nature collection!
Great Picture and info on difference between them and their cousin, the bobcat.
I have seen thier tracks behind out place and have laughed when our lab stumbled into the entrance to a den, to be turned back with a MAJOR HISS, but no live sighting yet!!
We are lucky enough to have a decent population on the Peninsula and I love to see a healthy bunny season so I know they have plenty to eat.
The great thing about Alaska, those moments of nature we get to glimpse.
Definitely a take your breath away moment.
I’m amazed the animal didn’t shy off when you raised the camera. Both the movement and the staring, hunter’s eye, of the camera frighten off most animals.
The best place to find god is in nature as it was intended to be.
Blessings on you and on us. Thanks for sharing that precious encounter. Great photo also. Must be your reward for blogging on wildlife’s behalf.
Damn, AKM, just the photo took my breath away. I can’t even imagine seeing that guy in person!
How beautiful! We have bobcats here in northern California, as well as mountain lions and black bears. This last winter I was in the desert and saw a rare sight, a kit fox!! Amazing beautiful little creatures, and pretty rare these days (going on endangered).
Funny how predators of all sizes are just as beautiful and soul-stirring as any moose or caribou.
SayNo…
I was involved for a while with a hummingbird monitoring group. I got to hold many of the lovely little birds. They are fearless and friendly.
@crystalwolf aka caligrl – Thanks for that info – you sent me on a quest to find out more about totem animals. I found the following below. I love all things doing with spirituality.
The Stag – You are protected by the spirit of the deer, swift of foot and of mind; you keep true to yourself while thinking of the good of the herd. You are an independent and free spirit, capable of solemnity and of true bravery. As long as you stay honest with yourself the Stag will protect and serve you well. Your quote: “If I am walking with two other men, each of them will serve as my teacher. I will pick out the good points of the one and imitate them, and the bad points of the other and correct them in myself”
What a great picture. I, too, am jealous. I am a lover of the big cats and often wish it were possible to keep them. We used to have a couple of Mallard ducks come and visit us every spring. We used to put out cracked corn for them to eat along with fresh water. If there was no corn out for them they would quack until one of us came out to replenish the supply. They became so used to us that they didn’t run away when we approached but simply walked a away for a few feet and came back as soon as the corn was down and would eat while the water was being freshened. It was interesting to see that the male always sat back and waited until the female got her fill. Sadly, we haven’t seen them in a few years. I miss them.
BEAUTIFUL! Long live our wild Alaska!
Sarah Palin probably wants to hunt them too. From airplanes, also.
All of my life AKM.
All of my life I have lived here.
And not ONCE have I ever seen a Lynx!
Well there was the stuffed one that served as a mascot at my high school (Go Dimond Lynx!), but I have never seen one in the wild.
I am soooo jealous.
Thanks for the lynx picture. Enjoyed the responses too–nice change of pace.
Shadow’s Heart(16:02:57) Thanks for that info – you sent me on a quest to find out more about totem animals. I found the following below. I love all things doing with spirituality.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Your welcome! Its always a magical to experience with our four footed or winged friends up close and personal!
Its such a special spiritual experience and often if meditating on the experience will teach us something about ourselves….
Say NO to Palin in Politics-Hummingbird/Joy If hummingbird is your personal medicine, you love life and its joys. Your presence brings joy to others. You Join people.
You move comfortably within a beautiful environment and help others taste the succulent nectar of life.
Quetzalcoatl- Elk/Stamina,Elk medicine teaches that pacing yourself will increase stamina. Elk Medicine people may not be the first ones to arrive at a goal, but they always arrive without getting burned out.
womanwithasardinecan-couldn’t find “kit fox” but “fox”/camouflage:If fox has chosen to share its medicine with you, its is a sign that you are to become like the wind, which is unseen yet is able to weave into and through any location or situation. Fox medicine teaches the art of Oneness through its understanding of camouflage. This applies from rocks to God. With Fox medicine you are being you are being asked to see all types of use for Oneness.
very nice picture there, AKM. We have lots of bobcats round these parts. Also plenty of coyotes and Fisher Cats. Don’t let the name fool you, a Fisher Cat is not a cat at all, and will eat your dog, then have your cat for dessert. I had one run (lope?) in front of my car once, across a country road. It looked like a giant, brown and black weasel. The thing was at least 4 feet from nose to tail. Probably bigger, but I was flabbergasted. Looked like it could have carried off a 4 year old child, that one. Nasty buggers, and they’ll eat ANYTHING.
tinydancer (16:06:13)-Sorry I couldn’t find Duck in the book, But I think you answered it when you said, the male would sit Patiently and wait for the female to have her fill, Patience and honor, comes to mind when I see these delightful ducks which alas are not around so much anymore
And they are usually always a male & female together…when I see one or the other alone, I feel sad that maybe something has happened to their mate. But the lone duck is always included also.
Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing. You were so fortunate to have seen him.
WOW. oh WOW. That picture is stunning. The Lynx is beauty beyond description. WOW.
Crystalwolf aka caligrl (16:54:07) Thanks for looking. Your mention of the lone duck does remind me that for a short time we did see another male with the couple. I believe he was younger than the other because his colors seemed brighter and he was a bit smaller. I can only guess as to why he was tagging along with the other two.
We keep a huge birdfeeder and bird bath in our front garden. We regularly empty and clean the birdbath so our friends can have fresh water to splash and play in. We often see different species gathered at one time. It is interesting to watch them wait their turn in the water.
We have had a few different robins nests in the rose bush outside our bathroom window. What a treat to watch the parents care for the eggs before and after they hatch. For a short time I couldn’t enter my front porch without the female divebombing me. She never actually attacked me but I did need to duck quite a few times. She never bothered my husband, though, which he thought was rather amusing.
Years ago, when my beloved 16 year old diabetic cat finally died, I searched for the perfect place to bury her. Found a beautiful hillside with ancient oaks (on private property, had to climb a fence and skulk). When we carried her up the hill to bury her under a big oak tree, I looked up the hillside and saw a big bobcat watching our little funeral procession. I think of that bobcat as the guardian of my dead Skitters.
OT: but important.
I just got a email from wolfsong…they posted AKM’s blog on their site:
http://wolfsongnews.org/news/Alaska_current_events_3049.html
Beautiful picture..You are so lucky to be able to see this in your area.
Thanks so much for the awesome picture.When I was up I so wanted to see a moose in town .Talkeetna,Anchorage area in real time The few times I made it up,once in the winter,once in the fall nada. But one can alway hope for another time.I know My sister wrecked her can trying to avoid hitting a moose thank God she was alright and the moose too .They had a home in the outskirts of Talkeetna area but the weeks I spent up were more site seeing,cleaning my brothers trailer etc,
Magnificant creature…thank you, AKM…for sharing. And to all you guys for sharing your experiences. I have one, maybe not as exciting…
A few years ago an exotic vet technician brought me a day old cotton tail rabbit that no one expected to live. I had my doubts, too. But I fed the little thing pet milk formula with an eye dropper every few hours. After a few weeks, I picked clover and grass to add to its diet and slowly weaned the little fellow. When it was the size of maybe a 3-4 mo old kitten, I took it in its pet taxi (home) to an area in the woods close to where it was found, sat the carrier down and opened the door. It jumped out quickly and went about 10 yards and stopped at a patch of clover and started munching down. I picked up the carrier and started my long hike back to the car. Thanks…it’s been a long time since I thought about my little cotton tail bunny!!
So does the lynx get a moniker like Brian or does that require multiple viewings?
BTW saw a special on moose today. No Brian but there was a Jerry. Or was it Jimmy? Maybe it was Benjy.
The picture was awesome. Thanks for sharing.
I am an avid birdwatcher and feeder. I have a Carolina chickadee who comes and tapes on my kitchen window whenever I forget to put out seed. Also, have a pair of Carolina wrens who try unsuccessfully every year to build a nest in my mailbox.
I do a lot of hiking in the woods while bird watching. One day while birdwatching, I noticed a movement in the creek I was hiking beside. When I turned to look there were a couple of river otters just have a grand old time. I sat and watched them for several hours. What joyous creatures they were.
I am so JEALOUS. Great photo, gorgeous cat.
Great photo! AKM, what kind of camera do you have?
Too bad the board of game voted to increase trapping of Lynx in Alaska.
That’s my mother’s guide right there…
Amazing shot! And here I thought seeing three bluebirds in the same tree was something (not blue jays–bluebirds being pretty rare here).
Don’t let Sarah find out or it’s a goner!