The cedar boughs and holly berries on the fireplace are dry and losing their color, but I'm not ready to let them go. To replace them, this morning we drove a ways down Sandy Island Road, a wild, brushy area bordering the 9000 acres of Brookgreen Gardens, to a place where we could cut a few boughs. As we neared the spot where the cedar grows, an animal ran for a short way down the road in front of us. "Is it a dog, is it a ca--", we began, and then both exclaimed, "It's a bobcat!" The short tail, the tufts of fur in the ears, the longer back legs, were clear in the seconds before it disappeared into the brush. 
I was so excited I wanted to cry. All my life, in all the wild places I've hiked and camped, I've longed to see a bobcat. I never thought I would.
What a last-minute gift from a year that has been so ecologically and politically disheartening and worrisome.
2017, my Year of the Bobcat.
(The photo isn't mine, it's borrowed from a South Carolina wildlife website.)
What a wonderful gift, I'd love to see one in the wild. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteObserving wildlife is such a joy. A good omen for the coming year. I wish you health and happiness during 2018.
ReplyDeleteDid you mean Brookgreen Gardens? I know you mentioned Murrells Inlet in a previous post. Brookgreen is one of my very favorite places on Earth!
ReplyDeleteI love bobcats. Having living in SC all my life, I've seen a few. :)
Whoops! BrookFIELD is in Wisconsin. Thank you, Jennifer.
DeleteI am thrilled for you! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI've also never seen a lynx and I've spent a large part of my life in the bush. Have a great 2018.
ReplyDeleteI can understand your excitement in seeing a bobcat in the wild. I am always thrilled when seeing a wild animal in it's natural environment and here in Australia I have spent many hours looking for the elusive Cassowary but now think I may never see one in the wild, especially as I live in southern Australia and Cassowaries live in the eastern part but if we get there again I will be looking for them. Hope you have a healthy & happy 2018 and I look forward to many more interesting posts from you.
ReplyDeleteAfter a tough year, this bobcat certainly was a good send-off to end 2017 with ope for all in 2018. Happy New Year!!
ReplyDeleteThat is wonderful, I am so glad your wish was fulfilled a great gift. Best wishes for 2018.
ReplyDeleteDear Cynthia, how wonderful. I visited my adopted family in Idaho this past November and the youngest child, who's seven, saw bobcat in the cul-de-sac close to her home. She came running like a speed demon so frightened was she. The next day the whole family saw the cat. Like you I've always wanted to see one. Maybe this is a good omen for 2018. Let's hope. Peace.
ReplyDeleteI envy you this sighting. I have always longed for views of Bobcat and Lynx but I have never succeeded with either.
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