Those of you who call, you know that calling wildlife is an inexact science. Predators are especially tough... For every animal you call within camera range chances are that you tried several times before, unsuccessfully.

Every now and then, things just click. Two days before Christmas, I sat looking east at the edge where a cutover patch of trees and a tall grass prairie meet. Using a FoxPro electronic caller that mimics the sounds of an imperiled bluejay, it took only five minutes to attract every bluejay within earshot and a couple of more minutes to get the attention of a passing hawk.

At the twenty-two minute mark, I caught movement out of the corner of my eye and noticed this beautiful female bobcat inching towards the sound.

Photographically, the setup was perfect: an overcast sky made the light soft and a crossing wind that drifted from north to south made sure that the bobcat wouldn't smell me. She was only 17 yards away and with the tripod mounted 500mm lens, my distance to the cat was ideal.

Despite the blaring sound of the call, the bobcat heard the shutter click on the first picture I took. She hung around and stared curiously for about a minute until she finally ran back into the brush.

Thirty minutes of walking in and set up, and twenty two minutes of listening to the call for a single minute of photographic frenzy.

It was worth the wait.

Great pics

Awesome pics!

That cats awesome it's almost a rosett cat

Great Shots!

.

that is great quality

awesome!

Very nice pics.

Amazing photos. Do you happen to have any higher resolution versions I could use as a desktop background?

Very nice pics..

With cats, that in mho is the way to shoot them. I guess with age I have come to appreciate life so much that if I am not going to eat it I can't hardly shoot it. I even turned down a couple of shots at deer this year, still had some venison in the freezer. I guess it is just me growing a little mellow. I hold nothing against anyone who hunts either for food or fun, it's just a personal thing. When you have yourself looked death in the eyes and survived, a lot of things are different.
By the way, super great photos.

Great pics! Thanks for sharing!

Thank you! Not only did you enjoy your experience, so have we!

X2

Russel I dont think you have ever posted a pic that disappointed me. Simply awesome. Keep it up!

Great photos, thanks for sharing.

Awesome pics.

Awesome pics thanks for sharing

Great story! Couldnt tell you how many hours ive spent listening to the call just for that minute.

Amazing pics. Great looking cat.

Great pics Russell! It definitely was worth the effort. My boy still has the bobcat print you sent him 5 years ago.

Cool pic

Awesome pics! Thanks for sharing

those are pretty sweet pics... i've always loved watching cats

Great pictures